So there is crying in basketball, too: Thunder's Durant, Brooks defends Heat's shedding of tears

Guard Thabo Sefolosha sat with a blank stare and leaned back in his chair. Power forward Nick Collison buttoned his shirt as he candidly discussed the Thunder's poor start to the game.

Trying to avoid another interview, All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook once again showed he's as quick getting dressed and out the door as he is on a fastbreak. Fellow guard James Harden has learned to do the same.

All-Star forward Kevin Durant politely answered questions while reminding everyone the sky is not falling.

Within an hour, the visitor's locker room inside the FedExForum was empty and the Thunder (39-23) was boarding a private plane bound for Philadelphia, where it will battle the rejuvenated Sixers (32-30) at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Although no tears were shed after the Thunder's third loss in four games this season to the pesky Grizzlies, no one implied OKC players didn't care about the loss.

After a one-point setback at home against Chicago on Sunday, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said "there are a couple guys crying in the locker room right now."

Spoelstra was simply trying to point out his players cared about losing. Media used the opportunity to take shots at the much-maligned Heat and crying in basketball has since become a hot topic.

Every chance he gets, Thunder coach Scott Brooks stresses how much he likes his team because it cares about the game, but crying is not a requirement.

Brooks said "the best experience" in his basketball career came during his senior year in high school when his team lost in the California sectional finals.