--The road to respectability for the Thunder is treacherous in the Western Conference. The West features at least 10 teams that have a legitimate shot to reach the postseason.
But Oklahoma City is counting on a young nucleus continuing to grow and perhaps add some magic along the way. If not this year, then soon. "We're trying to be one of those turnaround teams that make a big step in a year," Thunder forward Nick Collison said. "It's happened before. New Orleans won 20 games a few years ago. It can happen sooner than you think."
--The Thunder came away from its first game ever in Oklahoma City disappointed with its performance. The team shot 43.8 percent and committed 20 turnovers in the 11-point loss to Milwaukee.
"The excitement of opening night, I thought, caused our slow start offensively," coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "We didn't play like we were capable of playing, and that is a shame."
Kevin Durant shot 5-for-14 and scored just 12 points. The starters as a group managed just 36 points.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We did not play very well, period." -- Thunder coach P.J. Calesimo on his team's home opener loss.
