Thunder coach Scott Brooks was addressing the media about an hour after a recent practice only to turn and notice about half of his team was still on the court. He was taken by the sight.
"This is the most incredible thing," Brooks said. "I've been on teams at this time of the year and not having the record that we have not do this." Brooks talked about teams where the players really didn't like each other, so much so that once the coach said his last word, they made a beeline for the parking lot.
"They'd jump in their car sweaty and go home," Brooks added. "But we've got a team that likes to get better, that likes to work, and that's good. It's important. This is the time where you need to work on your game and make individual improvement before and after practice, and our guys do it."
And about that record, which is no longer the worst in the league, Brooks insists it isn't an issue.
"There's not one time this team or myself has talked about the standings," he said. "We talk about what we need to do each day and each game."
THUNDER 94, NETS 85: Kevin Durant scored 18 as Oklahoma City thoroughly dominated the first three quarters before holding on for a home victory Monday night over New Jersey. The Thunder (10-35) improved to 7-6 since New Year's Eve.
Rookie point guard Russell Westbrook and second-year forward Jeff Green each scored 13 for OKC, which enjoyed a sizable advantage in rebounding and free throws. The center combo of Nick Collison and Nenad Krstic tallied 23 points and 14 boards.
The Thunder's lead reached 30 before New Jersey mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally. The Nets were down just seven with a minute left, causing Thunder coach Scott Brooks to summon Durant off the bench. The Nets' leading scorers, Devin Harris and Vince Carter, combined for just 18 points.
