Thunder notebook: Scott Brooks warns team that Denver Nuggets can flat-out fly

During Sunday night's 124-118 overtime loss at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Denver guards Arron Afflalo (27 points), Andre Miller (21) and Ty Lawson (17), plus small forward Corey Brewer (10) repeatedly knifed in for layups and helped the Nuggets amass an astounding 72 points in the paint.

"Brewer runs the floor. Lawson is pushing the ball. They're playing with an incredible pace," Brooks warned. "Lawson is a jet and gets into the paint. He causes so much concern for the opponent."

After the game, his shirt drenched in sweat, Brooks reiterated, "They just play so darn fast."

COLORADO NON-CONNECTION

Thunder rookie guard Reggie Jackson played at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, but Sunday's game against the Denver Nuggets did not carry any special meaning.

"No offense, but I didn't really grow up a Denver Nuggets fan, so it's not that special to me," said Jackson, who moved several times throughout his life growing up in a military family. "It's just another game."

Jackson instead grew up a fan of the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers.

As a die-hard Oakland Raiders fan, Jackson has no affection whatsoever for the Denver Broncos. "No, never," Jackson said.

So no "Tebowing" from Jackson? "Um, no," Jackson said with a smile.

With his father serving in the military, Jackson was born in Italy, grew up bilingual and spoke his first words in Italian. He held his Italian citizenship until 2008. From Italy, Jackson's family moved to England, North Dakota, Florida, Georgia and then Colorado Springs when Jackson was in the sixth grade.

UNLUCKY 13

The Thunder is going through some injury problems this season, but they are not nearly as wide-ranging as woes experienced by the Nuggets.