3:54 PM ET, Thu March 11, 2010

Thunder notebook: OKC's suffocating defense

Oklahoman — Suffocating defense Hornets’ rookie guards Marcus Thornton (21.5) and Darren Collison (20.8) have averaged more than 42 points a game the past month since Chris Paul underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.Led by Russell Westbrook guarding Collison, his former UCLA teammate, New Orleans’ rookie guard combo was limited to 19 points, shooting a combined 7-of-27 from the field."Both of them had their hands full tonight due to their defensive pressure,” said Hornets coach Jeff Bower.Read more on NewsOK.com

5 hours ago

OKC fans forgetting Hornets

Oklahoman — Funny how you don’t hear anyone these days wishing the Hornets had stayed in Oklahoma City.The first year after the Hornets returned to New Orleans — after temporarily relocating two seasons in the Ford Center as New Orleans recovered from Hurricane Katrina — fans that had invested emotionally in Chris Paul and the team pined for what might have been.The Thunder’s 98-83 win over the Hornets on Wednesday night was another reminder that Oklahoma City fans are just fine with how things turned out."I think this is a far better opportunity for the city,” said seas...

5 hours ago

Thunder hammers Hornets

Oklahoman — When the Thunder and its fans inside the Ford Center needed a boost, New Orleans center Emeka Okafor came through in a big way.With little to cheer or cringe at for the first 20 minutes, aside from an early stretch of hair-raising defense, Okafor stepped to the line at the 3:24 mark of the second quarter and short-armed two straight free throws.Read more on NewsOK.com

12 hours ago

Wednesday's game: Thunder vs. New Orleans Hornets

Oklahoman — Thunder vs. Hornets →When: 7 tonight→Where: Ford Center→TV: KSBI-52 (Cox 15, HD channel 715)→Radio: WWLS 98.1-FM, WWLS 640-AM→Live chat: http: www.newsok.com/sports/thunderThree things to know→The Hornets, 11-21 on the road, have lost five consecutive road games.Read more on NewsOK.com

March 9, 2010

Thunder notebook: Laid back Kevin Durant

Oklahoman — Laid back Durant Kevin Durant is surprised people like Magic Johnson, who recently interviewed him, is shocked he’s comfortable with small-market Oklahoma City instead of playing in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago."I was watching the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson documentary the other day,” Durant said.Read more on NewsOK.com

March 9, 2010

Since hand-check rule change, NBA has become a perimeter player’s league

Oklahoman — The NBA six years ago literally put the ball in point guards’ hands.Frustrated the league had evolved into a physical, plodding game, a major rule change abolished hand-checking above the free-throw line."The game has changed big-time,” said Dallas point guard Jason Kidd.Read more on NewsOK.com

March 9, 2010

Thunder notebook: OKC no longer flying under the radar

Oklahoman — Thunder flying under the radar no more Kevin Durant admitted the Thunder enjoys flying under the radar and attributed his team’s success this season in part to proving people wrong."That’s pretty cool when people don’t expect us to do something and we do it,” Durant said.Read more on NewsOK.com

March 9, 2010

NBA notebook: Spurs’ Tony Parker out for six weeks

Oklahoman — Spurs’ Parker out for six weeks Spurs guard Tony Parker will miss about six weeks with a broken right hand.The team said Monday that Parker won’t need surgery, meaning he may be able to return later this season.Read more on NewsOK.com

March 9, 2010

Thunder player Etan Thomas praises Oklahoma City poets

Oklahoman — Thunder center Etan Thomas encouraged Oklahoma City Public School seniors to express themselves Monday night during a poetry slam — a competition where students performed their poems before Thomas and three other judges.Read more on NewsOK.com

March 9, 2010

Fiesty Nick Collison takes charge

Oklahoman — Get one of your friends. Stand still.Read more on NewsOK.com

March 9, 2010

Next game vs New Jersey Nets on Fri, Mar 12 8:00 pm EST

Opponent news and rumors snapshot:

  • Ratner talks Brooklyn, Nets' future on WFAN The InterNets | New York Daily News
  • Protests kick off Barclays Center groundbreaking at Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn Newark Star-Ledger
  • Groundbreaking ceremony today for Nets' Brooklyn arena Journal News
More New Jersey Nets rumors and news»
Fri 3/12 vs New Jersey 8:00 pm EST
Sun 3/14 vs Utah 7:00 pm EDT
Wed 3/17 at Charlotte 7:00 pm EDT
  • OSU Pro Day notebook: Dez Bryant, Perrish Cox not at Pro Day Oklahoman Bryant, Cox absent at OSU Pro Day Receiver Dez Bryant and cornerback Perrish Cox did not participate in Oklahoma State’s Pro Day on Wednesday.Read more on NewsOK.com
  • Oklahoma State Pro Day results Oklahoman OSU Pro Day performances NamePos.40-yard dashVerticalBench press*Terrance AndersonCB4.523312Lucien AntoineS4.6233.5DNPBrady BondOL5.282924Donald BookerLB4.5131.521Derek BurtonDT5.2330.516Noah FranklinOL5.231.530Beau JohnsonRB4.623119Patrick LavineLB4.773222Andrew LewisOL5.3024.524Swanson MillerDT5.212731Russell OkungOTDNP32.5DNPJermiah PriceDL4.873022Andre SextonLB4.6333.516Keith TostonRB4.59DNPDNP*No.Read more on NewsOK.com
  • Zac Robinson turns in another strong performance at OSU Pro Day Oklahoman STILLWATER — Zac Robinson should be the poster boy for what a football player can accomplish during the months between the end of his senior season to the final weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.The former Oklahoma State quarterback has proven time and time again that he deserves a shot as an NFL quarterback.Read more on NewsOK.com
  • Big 12 tournament: Oklahoma State 81, Oklahoma 67 Dallas Morning News
  • OSU's new offense is about making plays Oklahoman STILLWATER — A glance at Oklahoma State’s pre-spring depth chart speaks to the versatility required to play the inside receiver position in Dana Holgorsen’s offense.At one inside receiver spot, Josh Cooper sits atop the depth chart.Read more on NewsOK.com
  • OSU football notebook: Michael Bowie reaffirms commitment Oklahoman OL Bowie reaffirms commitment Michael Bowie has reaffirmed his decision to play for Oklahoma State. The Navarro (Texas) Junior College offensive tackle has confirmed his intention to resign with the Cowboys in 2011, according to GoPokes.com.The 2009 signee from Sand Springs practiced with the Cowboys early in fall camp last season but was forced to leave the team due to eligibility concerns.Read more on NewsOK.com