Thunder notebook: Scott Brooks preaching to Kendrick Perkins about technical fouls

"Oh, we've talked a few times about it," Brooks said with a smile. "He says he's going to slow up when he gets to eight."

Players will be suspended with their 13th technical this season and every other technical thereafter.

Asked if he has whispered into Perkins' ear about the frantic "T" pace, Brooks said: "It's a loud whisper. We've had multiple loud whispers.

"He's an emotional guy and other teams know that. If you want to pick a fight, he's ready and willing. We have to control it, but he plays with that. He needs to play with that chip on his shoulder. He makes us good because he has that. He brings toughness every time he's on the floor."

WILLIAMS IMPRESSED

During the 149-day NBA lockout, New Orleans coach Monty Williams took note of Thunder players gathering on three separate occasions for voluntary four-day camps in Austin, Texas, Lexington, Ky., and at Southern Nazarene in Bethany.

Williams believes those get-togethers help explain OKC's 10-2 start.

"They're together," Williams said. "They've had experience. They've failed, in their eyes, in the playoffs. They're a team that wants to win a championship. I see experience. I see their bench cheering when they make plays. I see young guys stepping up and making plays. (Nick) Collison and the older guys, they seem like they haven't missed a beat. They're well-coached. They're primed to make a big run this year."