OKC Thunder uses team effort to take down Philadelphia

Kevin Durant scored 33 points yet he failed to be mentioned in the press conference with Thunder coach Scott Brooks.

Durant is in his second year in the NBA, and his accomplishments are equivalent with some of the games' most distinguished players.

Durant recently joined LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Jordon in becoming just the fourth player in league history to be under the age of 21 and compile 400 points in the first 15 games of a season.

The end of Thunders' 117-106 victory on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers (5-14) at the Ford Center left Durant seven points shy of being the second youngest player to reach 4,000 points. James holds the record.

With Durant's average of 27.4 points per game, fourth in the NBA, there is no question he is on pace to reach 4,000 this Friday night at 7 at the Ford Center against the Boston Celtics (14-4), the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division leaders.

Durant's check list of achievements show he is one of basketball's best players and makes you wonder why he failed to be mentioned last night.
His teammates performances may hold the answer.

Perhaps it was Russell Westbrook's career high 15 assists.

"He had control of the game," Brooks said. "He played a great game. That was an outstanding game for a point guard."

Durant said Westbrook's success has a remarkable affect on the teams' success.

"Once he gets over 10 assists, we win," Durant said. "Once he hit 11 assists I'm thinking like ‘all right it's a good night for us.'"

Maybe it was the performance by power forward Nick Collison. Collison just returned after five games on the bench because of an ankle injury, and scored a season-high 18 points and led the Thunder with seven rebounds.

"My ankle felt the best it has felt all year," Collison said. "I was lot more mobile and able to fight for rebounds and hold my balance and jump."

Brooks said he was impressed with Collison's performance, especially since he is fresh off of an injury.

"It's amazing what pro athletes are able to do," Brooks said.
"He hasn't played in a while. He's had a few practices and he has a game like this."

The Thunder had five players post double digit scoring outings, and the team accounted for 12 3-pointers.

Brooks said he was content with how the team performed, but added that the team needs to improve before a tough game on Friday against the Celtics.

"They are talented," Brooks said.

"They are about as mentally tough a team as you are gonna face. Their veteran guys have been playoff tested, championship tested."