Thursday Bolts

• The Oklahoman's Thunder notebook - Kevin Durant still gets nervous before games: "Kevin Durant, the league’s Rookie of the Year, said before Wednesday night’s game that he doesn’t feel any different going into his second season than he felt as a rookie. Durant said he still gets nervous before games, and the jitters don’t subside until tip-off."

• Mike Sherman of the Oklahoman: "Remember all the folks who told us Oklahoma City was delusional to think it was getting an NBA team? Remember those who laughed when we thought the Hornets might stay? Remember when we were told that Mr. Microsoft, Mr. Coffee and Slade Gorton and all those superior intellects, millionaires and 'revealing emails' were going to force Clay Bennett's group to sell the team? None of that, none of those people, mattered on Wednesday night when Oklahoma City's -- that's right, OKLAHOMA CITY'S -- NBA team made its debut in Billings, Mont. The Oklahoma City Thunder might not be scheduling any ring ceremonies or NBA championship parades in this decade. But this preseason game was no small thing. It marked the first time a major league team that belongs to and in this city -- and this city alone -- ever took the court."

• Darnell Mayberry's gamer for last night's 88-82 loss to the Wolves: "Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Earl Watson struggled to say the least, combining to go 5-for-27 from the field for 16 points and 11 turnovers. I wouldn’t read too much into that trio’s performance. Durant got decent shots for the most part, although he settled for a few too many jumpers instead of getting to the basket. Durant showed a few post up moves tonight as well, which should improve as the season wears on and get him a few more easy buckets."

• View from the enemy - Timberwolves blog Canis Hoopus recaps last night: "Last night in Billings, Montana the Wolves were ostensibly the home team. Judging by some of the sound effects and music played during the broadcast of the game, I'm pretty sure the Wolves promotion folks were running the audio inside the arena."

• Another Thunder season preview from www.betfirms.com: "The Oklahoma City Thunder, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, are relocated with new colors, but they remain in the West’s Northwest Division. After a disappointing 20-62 season last year, the Thunder are hoping to emerge as a new contender with a fresh start in Oklahoma City. Certainly the fans will show up to watch out of mere excitement to have their own professional sports franchise. Read on to find out whether we think the Oklahoma City fans will be rooting for a winning team this season. The Thunder are +10000 odds at BetUS to win the Western Conference Championship, which means they are going to be underdogs all season long and you can count on plenty of NBA picks on them."

• And bbingham05 at OKCThunderFans.com has a couple of alternate NBA 2K9 covers. Very cool.