Thunder notebook: OKC aiming to avoid last year's miserable start

Nick Collison admitted Thursday that the start to the Thunder’s year last season dealt a sharp blow to the team’s confidence. Almost nothing went right in Oklahoma City as the Thunder dropped to 3-29 before the new year and fired coach P.J. Carlesimo two weeks into November.

Those memories, Collison said, serve as a reminder of how important it is to avoid a similar start this season.

"We want to get off to a good start this season,” Collison said. "Mentally, it’s really hard when you dig yourself a hole like we did last year. It starts to wear on you, and you start to lose confidence in all those close games.”

Collison said the Thunder is now on one accord and more confident in 2009-10 because of the hard work and preparation players put into the offseason.

"We like playing with each other,” Collison said. "We want everybody to do well, and we’re just concentrating on playing the right way. Nobody’s angry. Nobody’s upset and feels like they’re getting the short end of the stick. Everyone is pulling for everybody else, and it’s easier to play like that.”

HARDEN LEARNING ON THE GO

Rookie James Harden got his long-awaited taste of real NBA basketball on Wednesday against Sacramento and displayed up and downs typically seen out of first-year players.

The No. 3 overall pick out of Arizona State scored five points, making both of his field-goal attempts, and contributed two rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench. The downside was Kings guard Kevin Martin gave him his first lesson in defense. Harden was whistled for two quick fouls and was struggled to keep when Martin ran off screens.

"I learned a lot,” Harden said. "He’s very crafty. He knows how to get to the foul line and I can use some of the things he does and incorporate it into my game...I just tried to learn. That’s the most important thing.”

BACK TO WORK BEFORE DETROIT

Thunder players continue to show off their work ethic. Following Thursday’s practice, Jeff Green worked with assistant Rex Kalamian on fine-tuning his perimeter shooting just hours after going 4-for-5 from behind the 3-point line against the Kings. Etan Thomas, D.J. White, Serge Ibaka and Byron Mullens drilled against each other on one-on-one post moves with assistant Mark Bryant.

Kyle Weaver and Kevin Ollie shot jumpers at another basket with assistant Ron Adams. Russell Westbrook was in the weight room. And Kevin Durant was in the film room.

OPENING NIGHT MEMORIES

Wednesday’s win over the Kings was the first season opening win of Durant and Green’s careers. But the pre-game highlight video carried additional meaning for Durant.

"It felt good to be a part of that,” Durant said of watching footage of the entire team. "With these guys that are here, it’s an honor to be on this team because we’re so close. I’ve heard on a lot of other teams it’s a lot of different cliques. And we’re all together on this team and I’m just fortunate to be a part of that.”

BRIEFLY

Detroit starting shooting guard Richard Hamilton could miss tonight’s game after spraining his ankle in Wednesday night’s opener at Memphis. Hamilton had to be carted into the locker room in a wheelchair. ...Westbrook’s 13 assists Wednesday night tied Sacramento’s team total.

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