--Shaun Livingston's return to the NBA could be in Oklahoma City. For now, the 2004 fourth overall pick is right down the road in Tulsa playing for the D-League team owned by the Thunder.
Signed on Saturday, Livingston is back on the court for the first time since being released by Miami in December. The road to recovery has been easy for the once-promising Clippers point guard, who suffered a devastating knee injury on Feb. 26, 2007. "I've just been ready for the opportunity to play," said Livingston, who estimates his knee is at 85-90 percent.
Oklahoma City doesn't own Livingston's rights, but it's safe to assume the NBA club will monitor his progress. Oklahoma City's front office is always to upgrade talent, and the Thunder does have an open roster spot.
--The Big 12 men's basketball tournament is coming to Oklahoma City and the Ford Center this week, meaning the Thunder has to hit the road. The team is at Sacramento (Tuesday), Denver (Wednesday) and then will hang out in Phoenix until facing the Suns on Saturday.
"We've been fortunate schedule-wise, probably because we're so centrally located," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "Our longest flights are 2-1/2 hours. That's not bad."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We are just playing to get better every game." -- Forward Malik Rose, on winning four of the last five.
