26-year old center Nenad Krstic is a big part of the future for the Thunder and that future is now. Krstic knows his role with the Thunder and that is to play defense and rebound. He has played in 61 games (all starts) for the Thunder this season and he is averaging 22.7 minutes, 8.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Krstic is capable of more offense if the Thunder ever need him to provide it but for now they are really happy with what he is giving them.

The Thunder only shot 32.5% from the floor and they were losing 92-64 heading into the 4th quarter. Young teams lay an egg from time to time so I would just write this loss off. Kevin Durant led the way for the Thunder with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in 27 minutes last night. James Harden had a good game for the Thunder against the Nuggets as he finished up with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Serge Ibaka had probably his best game this season for the Thunder last night as he finished up with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Thunder are now 36-24 on the season.

The Thunder shot 50% from the floor and they outrebounded the Kings 43-32 which helped them hold off the pesky Kings last night. Kevin Durant was awesome as usual last night with 39 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists. Russell Westbrook continued his fine play last night with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 13 assists. Jeff Green (15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots) and Nenad Krstic (14 points and 9 rebounds) both supported the two stars last night. The Thunder are now 36-23 on the season.

The Thunder have a nice set of rookies that have really helped the bench this season. Shooting guard James Harden will be a starter down the road for the Thunder but he is a backup for now. Harden has played in 55 games (0 starts) for the Thunder this season and he is averaging 23.0 minutes, 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Harden is not shooting well overall (39.3% from the floor) but he is a solid 38.2% from three point range. So maybe better shot selection will help Harden out in the near future. Center Serge Ibaka has been a solid backup this season for the Thunder. He has played in 47 games (0 starts) for the Thunder this season and he is averaging 16.4 minutes, 5.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. Ibaka is shooting 50.5% from the floor but only 53.1% from the free throw line which proves that he does most of his scoring in close. Ibaka has the potential to be a starter down the road for the Thunder. Point guard Eric Maynor has finally given Russell Westbrook a backup that the Thunder can trust. Maynor has played in 28 games (0 starts) for the Thunder and he is averaging 14.8 minutes, 4.1 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Overall, Maynor has played in 54 games (2 starts) with the Thunder & Jazz this season and he is averaging 14.3 minutes, 4.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Center B.J. Mullens is a very raw player who has spent most of his rookie year in the D-League. Mullens has played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Thunder this season and he is averaging 1.1 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game.

Leading up to last night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant had gone 29 straight games scoring 25 or more points.  Durant had 17 points at halftime, and it looked like he was going to extend his impressive scoring streak to 30 games.  The Spurs’ pesky Manu Ginobli came out in the second half and played some tough defense on Durant, including an impressive block on a two-handed, fast break dunk Durant attempted late in the 4th quarter.  That block was a key play in the game, and it took all of the momentum from the Thunder, who ended up losing 95-87.  Durant went scoreless in the final quarter and his long scoring streak came to an end.  He finished the game with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.  The streak is a franchise record and the third longest streak of 25+ points by a forward in NBA history.  It is also the longest streak since Michael Jordan’s 40 game streak in 1986-87.  During the 29-game streak, the Thunder went 20-9 and Durant shot 51% from the field and averaged 32.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks.  This was a really impressive streak that Durant had going, especially when you consider the fact that he is only 21-years-old and it is only his third year in the NBA.