Easy opener for Thunder

By Berry Tramel Comments 0
Published: October 29, 2009

Kevin Durant grabbed a missed Sacramento shot and started dribbling.

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The Kings never stopped him, so Durant kept dribbling. All the way to the rim for a layup.

A few minutes later, Durant stole a pass, started dribbling and again went all the way, scoring in traffic.

Coast-to-coast twice in the first quarter.

Eventually, the Thunder will start playing games coast to coast, and victories will be more difficult to come by.

But on opening night Wednesday at the Ford Center, the Thunder rolled, 102-89 over the Sacramento Kings that was a complete turnaround from the lethargic opener of a year ago.

Then, the Boomers showed what was to come. A fired coach, a 3-29 start, a city wondering what kind of franchise had landed in its lap.

Now, perhaps the Thunder shows the same. A budding team, a budding superstar, a city wondering what kind of franchise the Thunder could become.

"It’s a totally different feeling this year,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said.

Don’t get too excited. The Kings are the NBA’s worst team. They started Sean May at center. Interior defense remains the Thunder’s chief weakness, and Sacramento was powerless to take advantage.

The Kings had no hope on defense, either. The Thunder scored on its first eight possessions and 11 of its first 12. OKC led by double digits the last 42 minutes of the game.

The NBA was very kind to Clay Bennett and Co. with its opening-night schedule. This will be the Thunder’s easiest matchup all year, and Oklahoma City deserved a celebratory opener, after the misery of last season.

Durant was productive without being explosive. His coast-to-coasters were the highlights of a 25-point, 11-rebound night.

Jeff Green was superb, with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting.

Russell Westbrook showed his maturity as a point guard, with 13 assists to go with his 14 points.

And Nenad Krstic cleaned up in the paint, as a center should do when opposed by Sean May, with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

"We’re a different team this year,” Green said. "New faces, new coach (Brooks took over for P.J. Carlesimo last November after a 1-12 start). Things are a lot different.”

The real season begins Friday, when the Thunder goes to Detroit, and Sean May won’t be starting at center.

Berry Tramel: 405-760-8080; Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1.