Thunder teammates Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook have been invited to participate in the rookie-sophomore game Feb. 13 in Phoenix as part of All-Star Game weekend.
"They're already talking to each other, 'Don't take it to the basket or you'll be fouled hard,' " coach Scott Brooks said. "I have a feeling if anybody is dunking on somebody it would be Russell." Participants were selected by NBA assistant coaches. Each team submitted one ballot. An interesting twist is All-Stars Dwyane Wade (rookies) and Dwight Howard (sophomores) will serve as assistant coaches. Head coaches haven't been determined.
The sophomore roster also includes: Wilson Chandler (New York); Al Horford (Atlanta); Luis Scola (Houston); Al Thornton (L.A. Clippers); Rodney Stuckey (Detroit); Aaron Brooks (Houston) and Thaddeus Young (Philadelphia).
The rookie roster also includes: Derrick Rose (Chicago); Michael Beasley (Miami); Rudy Fernandez (Portland); Marc Gasol (Memphis); O.J. Mayo (Memphis); Eric Gordon (L.A. Clippers); Brook Lopez (New Jersey) and Greg Oden (Portland).
TRANSITION SEASON
Brooks said one challenge rarely mentioned during the team's early-season struggles was the franchise moving from Seattle to Oklahoma City in July.
"We moved the entire organization," Brooks said. "It's hard to get acclimated when you have one trade. We basically had a whole team that was traded. What Sam (Presti) and the organization has done is pretty remarkable."
GUNS 'N HOSES
The Thunder had a police and fire theme, beginning at noon with fire trucks and police cars parked outside the Ford Center. Firemen and policemen were scheduled to be involved in activities throughout the game. The first 1,000 women were given roses, courtesy of Trochta's Flowers and Greenhouses.
FAST BREAK...
Veteran guard Chucky Atkins, who had played in only one game since a trade on Jan. 7, provided a spark off the bench in the second quarter... Forward Joe Smith (cyst on knee) sat out for the eighth consecutive game and remains day-to-day... The McDonald's foam French fries returned and will be part of the end zone seats for the remainder of the season.
