Thunder Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

December 31, 2009

Kevin Durant returned to his hometown Tuesday night leading one of the NBA's most-promising young teams into the Verizon Center. Durant grew up a fan of the Washington Wizards, but there's no question where his allegiance lies now.

He freely calls Oklahoma City home and spends his offseasons shuttling between there and Austin. Durant played a year at Texas and has continued his studies in the summer.

But Oklahoma City isn't the only place Durant feels a sense of belonging. Being a team captain and leader, even though he's just 21, suits Durant just fine.

"I feel right at home," Durant said. "I've been a leader since I was 10 years old playing on the AAU teams, so it's nothing different.

Lakers’ Bryant won’t let injuries slow him (AP)

December 30, 2009

In this photo taken on Dec. 22, 2009, Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant(notes) grimaces after he came down on his knee during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles. Bryant likens himself to actor Bruce Willis, the action hero who can't be stopped, no matter how many injuries. The only time Bryant's broken finger, injured elbow and other maladies appear to slow him is when he's asked about them.

Kobe Bryant hasn't been trapped in a fancy Los Angeles building and surrounded by vicious enemies led by a brilliant German since the last time Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks visited Staples Center. Still, the Los Angeles Lakers' unbreakable star was only half-joking recently when he said he was Bruce Willis -- you know, the "Die Hard" star famed for playing action heroes...


Durant sparks Thunder past Wizards 110-98, Oklahoma City wins fourth straight (The Canadian Press)

December 30, 2009

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(notes), left, and Golden State Warriors guard C.J. Watson(notes), right, fight for a loose ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 124-118. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Gus Ruelas)

Kevin Durant may not be satisfied with his play, but his hot scoring has the surprising Oklahoma City Thunder playing their best basketball in years.


Durant sparks Thunder past Wizards 110-98, Oklahoma City wins fourth straight (The Canadian Press)

December 30, 2009

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(notes), left, and Golden State Warriors guard C.J. Watson(notes), right, fight for a loose ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 124-118. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Gus Ruelas)

Kevin Durant may not be satisfied with his play, but his hot scoring has the surprising Oklahoma City Thunder playing their best basketball in years.


Thunder beat Wizards for fourth straight win (AP)

December 30, 2009

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jeff Green(notes) (22) defends against Washington Wizards forward Antawn Jamison(notes) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, in Washington. The Thunder won 110-98.

Flip Saunders has seen enough. Changes are coming for the Washington Wizards. Kevin Durant had 35 points and 11 rebounds, Jeff Green added 18 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Wizards 110-98 Tuesday night for the franchise's first four-game winning streak in 3 1/2 years. "This team needs a mindset change," the Wizards' coach said after Washington's third straight...


Durant scores 40 in Thunder’s 105-89 win over Nets (AP)

December 29, 2009

New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez(notes) slaps the ball from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook(notes) (0) as Yi Jianlian(notes), right, of China, helps out on defense during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Thunder beat the Nets 105-89.

The Oklahoma City Thunder seemingly have found a winning formula -- Kevin Durant and a lot of defense. Durant matched his season high with 40 points and the Thunder defeated New Jersey 105-89 Monday night, sending the Nets to their 10th straight loss -- their second double-digit losing streak of the season.


NBA: Who’s Hot? Who’s Not?

December 28, 2009

HOOPSWORLD takes a look at the best and worst performances in the NBA from the week past

Maynor: First Impressions in OKC

December 28, 2009

Did the Thunder get a major steal with rookie guard Eric Maynor? He made his debut in OKC, what does his future hold?

5 Things We Learned In The NBA

December 27, 2009

When will Steve Nash slow down?... Should Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston be worried about the Atlanta Hawks?... What happened between the Warriors and Jamal Crawford?... And...

Durant’s 30 points lead Thunder past Bobcats 98-91 (AP)

December 27, 2009

Charlotte Bobcats guard Raymond Felton(notes) (20) chases Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook(notes) (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. Westbrook scored 22 points in the 98-91 Oklahoma City Thunder win over the Charlotte Bobcats.

Russell Westbrook controlled the game, and his new backup helped out, too. Kevin Durant scored 30 points, Westbrook had 22 and the Oklahoma City Thunder held off the Charlotte Bobcats 98-91 on Saturday night. Nenad Krstic added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the surprising Thunder, who improved to 15-14.


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