Kevin Durant: 'Success' is defined by good practices

"If we continue to go out and have great practices," Durant said.

Cue the infamous Allen Iverson sound bite.

But in Oklahoma City, the belief of building good practices has become a theme that has set the tone for this season, starting with Tuesday's opening day of training camp. The idea started with general manager Sam Presti, trickled down to coach Scott Brooks and made its way to the team's star before permeating the Thunder roster.

One by one, these practices are supposed to slide the Thunder closer to champion status.

"Of course you're not going to have a great practice every day, but if we have more great practices than we do bad practices I think that's when we can say we're having a good year," Durant said. "Because I think great practices lead up to wins. Great shootarounds lead up to wins. Those are things we can control, and I think if we do that you never know what will happen."

Following a surprising 50-win season and riveting playoff series against the Lakers, the Thunder has entered the 2010-11 season with great expectations. That alone should be reason enough for this year's group to implement good practice habits. But OKC also is trying to incorporate four new faces to this year's cast, while building on the chemistry that the returning nine-man rotation enjoyed a year ago.

"We have to get on the same page," said fourth-year forward and last year's co-captain Jeff Green. "In order for us to be successful, we have to be that way. We have to come in the gym and work hard Day One in all the little drills we have.... We have to be on each other. We have to hold each other accountable for everything. I think (Tuesday) was a good start to that."