Serge Ibaka News

See, this is exactly what I was afraid of. For some reason, something didn't feel right heading into this game.

Thunder coach Scott Brooks prefers a nine-man rotation. In the opener, Nick Collison and Etan Thomas were interior players off the bench.

This, too, seems appropriate. More head room for a team with a higher ceiling for success.

's value can be measured by the company he keeps. Only nine NBA players averaged at least 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal last season.

Popovich discovering beauty of - The Beast' KIN MAN HUI/kmhui@express-news.net DeJuan Blair passes in front of Cleveland's Luke Nevill and Rob Kurz.

The consensus prediction of the TrueHoop Network bloggers and the best hopes of Daily Thunder.

Quick note for all those that have asked: The weekly podcast isn't set for a day.

Andres Nocioni scored 19 points and rookie Omri Casspi added 16 as the Sacramento Kings beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-89 in a preseason game Thursday night despite playing without leading scorer Kevin Martin.

The team also feels continuity will be a big issue this season. Last year head coach P.J. Carlesimo was fired after a terrible start in favor of Scott Brooks.

Oklahoma City is still a long way away from competing in the ultra-competitive Western Conference but the past few drafts have given the Thunder and their fanatical fan base an improving nucleus to work with.

Team name : Oklahoma City Thunder Previous record : 23-59 Key Additions : James Harden, Byron Mullens, Kevin Ollie, Etan Thomas, Serge Ibaka, Maurice Cheeks Key losses : Robert Swift, Malik Rose, Desmond Mason, Earl Watson, Chucky Atkins 1. What significant moves were made in the offseason? I think the question, at least for OKC should be, "what ...

Despite the sparse crowd at New Orleans Arena, the Thunder 's 88-79 loss to the Hornets on Saturday had a regular-season feel to it at times.

Suns two-time league MVP Steve Nash was asked if Durant reminds him of anyone. "He's like Dirk but different," Nash said.

Maybe this mystery man isn't so raw after all. In his first real chance to prove he's more than a project, Serge Ibaka showed ability that 20-year-old rookie big men from foreign lands aren't supposed to possess.

He knows the game, and his enthusiasm is contagious." Shoals previews the Thunder for the Baseline.

Chris Paul scored 23 points, and the New Orleans Hornets closed the game with a 13-0 run to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 88-79 victory on Saturday.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Hornets TV : None Radio : The first hour is on 105.3 FM.

First off, it's preseason. We all know this and much like the Summer League, it's smart to keep things in perspective.

That's exactly what's running through my mind about this upcoming season. On one hand, I'm stoked like a giant bonfire about this year.

One thing Sam Presti likes is guys that can play multiple positions; guys that are diverse and athletic and that sometimes even defy the conventional norms for what a player should be built like for a given position on the court.