"I learned," Westbrook said. "Last year, I was running out and things like that. And after watching other point guards, you've got to come back and get the ball and run the team. I watched a lot of film of myself this summer and it's just me seeing what I can get better at."

--The Thunder's defense is based on a shell concept where the basket is protected. The focus is on getting back and forcing opponents to run their half-court offense. Whenever Oklahoma City shoots, three immediately get back to help slow down transition.

"It's still evolving," Kevin Ollie said. "We have a unique team. We have Jeff Green at (power forward). We can do a lot of switching. We haven't put that in yet, but we can do certain things and kind of junk up the game a little bit.

"But we've been really working on our fundamental principles and hopefully our triangle behind whoever's pressuring the ball. That's what we've really been concentrating on."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It evolves throughout the season. I know there's going to be a time when we feel good with what we're doing and what we put in and know exactly what we have to do." -- Coach Scott Brooks, on establishing an identity.