Brooks is uncertain how many minutes veterans will play. He was pleased with an intense, two-hour practice Tuesday, a session that reviewed schemes and plays put in the first week of training camp.

GAIN MOMENTUM?

The Thunder was 1-6 in preseason last season, the lone win being against the Rockets in Tulsa, then started the regular season 3-29.

"I don't think you can gain momentum because in preseason teams aren't playing their regular five," said Kevin Durant. "But it's important for us to not take steps back. The biggest thing is to always get better no matter who is on the floor. "

Star players often don't play major minutes. Sometimes they sit out games. Most teams focus on evaluating younger players.

"We just want to get better every game, try to get a win, have some fun and get into game shape," Durant said. "It's tougher to get into game shape in practice."

CHOOSING CAPTAINS

Brooks said his staff and players will choose team captains "soon."

"It's a very important role," Brooks said. "Captains are responsible, along with the coach, for how the team practices and how the team plays. You are the conduit to the coach.

"You have to focus on being a good teammate. You have to be consistent. It can't just be when you have a good game. It can't be, 'I don't feel like practicing today because I'm tired.' You have to bring it every day."

NO TV

All seven preseason games will be broadcast live on radio, but tonight's opener at Memphis will not be televised. Only three of the seven preseason games will be on TV - Oct. 14 vs. Miami in Tulsa; Oct. 12 home game vs. Phoenix; and Oct. 20 versus San Antonio in Austin.

COLLISON, SEFOLOSHA WON'T PLAY

Two players, possibly three, will sit out tonight's preseason opener. Veteran forward Nick Collison, hampered by a severely sprained ankle since camp began last week, and Thabo Sefolosha, who suffered a neck and back injury during Monday's open practice, won't play. Kevin Ollie (quad) is questionable.