--The Thunder made an expected commitment to the team's future by exercising the fourth-year options on F Kevin Durant and F Jeff Green, and third-year options on G Russell Westbrook and F D.J. White. Durant and Green were both acquired during the 2007 NBA Draft. Durant was selected second overall, while Green was acquired via a draft day trade with Boston. Westbrook and White were part of the 2008 Draft. Westbrook was the fourth overall pick and White was acquired via a draft day trade with Detroit.
--F Kevin Durant returned to his former college stomping grounds a conquering hero as the preseason was winding down. The former NCAA Player of the Year got to play on the University of Texas' homecourt, the Erwin Center, against the Spurs in the shadow of his retired jersey.
"It felt good," Durant said. "To walk into the building and see my jersey in the rafters and seeing the Longhorns on the floor was great. It brought back a lot of memories of some good times I had playing here."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We played some pretty good basketball. We did a good job of sharing the ball early and throughout the game I thought we did a good job of passing the ball. We defended well tonight." -- Coach Scott Brooks, after opening the season with a win.
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