• I imagine there will be plenty of talk about Russell Westbrook’s performance tonight. And rightfully so. He went 0-for-13 with only four points and six assists against four turnovers in 31 minutes. It was a performance that rivaled the worst of any in his career to date. But there was a reason for the struggles. As I wrote for Thursday’s paper, Westbrook let his emotions get the best of him. It was clear as day and once he got heated there was no putting out that fire.

• As I laid out in the above link, Westbrook and Kevin Durant got into a heated exchange on the bench during a second quarter timeout. It was as fierce as anything I’ve ever seen from the two publicly and the kind of scene that lends credence to the alleged beef between the two. It didn’t appear to have anything AT ALL to do with the rumored rift that so many seemingly wants to be true. But they had to be separated more than once as they lashed out at each other. Fans in the first few rows behind the bench even came to their feet as if a fight was breaking out. The two eventually sat at opposite ends of the five-man unit that was sitting while waiting on Thunder coach Scott Brooks to enter the huddle. But when Durant and Westbrook took the court, Durant walked over and patted Westbrook on the back of the head.

• Durant on the altercation: “We’re going to disagree sometimes, like I’ve always been saying. But I’m behind him 110 percent, and he’s the same way with me. And you seen when we came on the floor we clicked and everything started to work from there.”

• Brooks on the altercation: “When you have an intense game, you’re going to have arguments. I have no problem with it. I think it’s healthy. I think you learn from it and you get better with it. That’s just part of an NBA game. We have it and other teams have it. Good teams, bad teams and average teams. I have no issues with how our guys compete. At times they get frustrated. But it’s always about the team.”

• Westbrook did not address the media after the game. He wasn’t seen by reporters in the locker room when the media was permitted to enter. It’s not uncommon of Westbrook, though, to dart out of the dressing room. He typically is one of the first out after every game.

• Once again, the altercation did not start between Durant and Westbrook. It simply happened to boil over to them. The frustration started when Westbrook attacked the paint on a drive with about 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the second quarter and kicked it out to a wide open Thabo Sefolosha in the corner. Sefolosha pump faked and passed up the shot, prompting Westbrook to scream at him to “shoot the (expletive) ball.” Sefolosha immediately told Westbrook to relax while acknowledging his mistake. But Westbrook was still steaming as Durant stepped to the free throw line at the end of the sequence. Durant tried to calm Westbrook down, and Kendrick Perkins chimed in with a few words as well while standing at the opposite side of the court from Westbrook. The bench incident took place during a timeout a minute later.

• Westbrook was actually right when he demanded Thabo shoot. Westbrook just handled it the wrong way. Although Westbrook chose his words poorly, his reaction was no different than things I’ve seen from Chris Paul when demanding his teammates do something. Initially, I viewed it as a sign of Westbrook’s growing leadership and improved confidence in communicating, even if it means getting on someone. He was holding his teammate accountable, something he is obligated to do as the Thunder’s floor general. But it looked like he just didn’t know when to let it go.

• If you want my opinion, Durant and Westbrook are fine. There is nothing to worry about between the two. I don’t pretend to know if things will remain that way.

• KD and Russ finished the game extremely well. Russ was passing Durant the ball according to the plays being called and there was no sign of resentment or tension. If there is something cancerous about their relationship, you certainly couldn’t tell by how they played together after halftime and cheered each other on the rest of the way.

• Westbrook will have to learn from this experience. He let his emotions negatively impact nearly every other aspect of his game. His defense on Jeremy Pargo was lousy, largely because he began playing with his heart instead of his head. On numerous occasions, Westbrook gambled defensively, going for steals in the backcourt only to come up short and allow Pargo a lane to see the court and make a play. Pargo got anything he wanted on those possessions and turned their one-on-one matchup into a reference for his resume.

• I thought Brooks should have sat Westbrook the entire fourth quarter when it was clear his head was no longer in the game. It would have been a tough call considering Westbrook is capable of catching fire and putting pressure on the defense so quickly that you could be doing the team a disservice by having him sit. But tonight, if there ever was a night, might have been the exception. Eric Maynor was his same steady self, and probably could have easily done enough to help the Thunder get out of here with a win.

• Maynor did, however, make a bonehead cross-court pass with eight seconds remaining that nearly cost the Thunder the game. It resulted in a Rudy Gay dunk and pulled the Grizzlies within two with five seconds remaining. It was Maynor’s only turnover of the night.

• Fans seated immediately behind the Thunder bench who had an up close view of spat rode Westbrook the rest of the night. One front row fan I spoke with shortly after the incident called Westbrook a cancer. A fan seated a few rows back, talking to another fan, said the Thunder will never win a championship with Westbrook at point guard. I disagree with both of those statements, but that’s the type of reaction that came out of that scene and, fair or not, likely will continue to be spewed throughout the season.

• At one point, security had to enter the stands to tell one fan who was riding Westbrook to settle down.

• The altercation between Durant and Westbrook will overshadow a great win for the Thunder, which is now 3-0 for the first time in the franchise’s Oklahoma City era. This was a hard-fought victory against a talented team playing its home opener in front of a rowdy crowd.

• For as poor of a performance as this was for Westbrook, he actually started the game with great poise and balance. He hit Serge Ibaka on a pick-and-pop for a jumper. He found a cutting Sefolosha under the basket for an easy deuce. And he drove and dished to Sefolosha for a 3. When he picked up his second foul with 4:45 remaining in the first quarter, though, it seemed to take him out of his rhythm and it went south from there.

• Both teams shot below 32 percent in the first quarter, with Memphis shooting 4-for-21 (19 percent) in the period. The Grizzlies didn’t get their first field goal until Zach Randolph had a layup with 4:04 left in the period. They were 0-for-12 prior to that.

• Here’s how funky of a first period it was. Sefolosha led all scorers with eight points. Sefolosha finished with…eight points.

• Perkins and Nick Collison both got whistled for two fouls in the first five minutes. It led to Cole Aldrich making his season debut and making the most of it. But you wouldn’t know it from looking at Aldrich’s final line: zero points, zero assists, zero steals, one rebound, one blocked shot and one foul. But that block came against Marc Gasol on Aldrich’s first defensive sequence. Aldrich then won a jump ball against Gasol. And he hit the floor twice for loose balls. He also had a tap out that landed in the wrong hands but characterized how active he was in keeping plays alive.

• Pargo, an undrafted rookie out of Gonzaga, had an opportunity tonight only because starting point guard Mike Conley sprained his ankle on the opening possession. He was helped off the floor 24 seconds in and did not return. Pargo scored 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting with seven assists, three rebounds, two steals and one turnover in 37 minutes.

• Brooks said he told Westbrook in the last three minutes that he didn’t care how many shots he had missed. Brooks said he told Westbrook to “make a play to help us win.” And Brooks managed to find something Westbrook did well. “He set three great screens for KD,” Brooks said. “KD in the past had trouble getting that ball at the nail, and he got there because of Russell’s three great screens.”

• The Thunder’s D was great tonight. There were some shooters left open, but the biggest problem was Memphis had way too many offensive rebounds. The Griz gobbled up 19, which led to 23 second-chance points and helped them outscore OKC 44-26 in the paint.

• Lazar Hayward was active tonight and dressed for the first time. He had an injured thumb that had kept him sidelined. But keep an eye on him. We could see him crack the lineup at some point.

• Daequan Cook is making things extremely tough on Hayward though. Cook continues to provide huge shots in big moments. He had nine points tonight, going 3-for-4 from deep, including two in the final nine minutes that helped the Thunder build a 12-point lead.

• Perk is playing with a ton of confidence right now. When he drew a foul on Gasol in the first quarter, he strutted to the line saying to no one and everyone “Yeaaaah, it’s like that today.” A tad later, Perk elevated as high as I’ve ever seen him get and nearly posterized Josh Davis. All that was missing was a stronger finish.

• A 7-year-old girl sang the national anthem tonight. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Maurice Cheeks as she made her way through it. I swear when she had a slight pause at one point Cheeks had a look on his face like “not again.” When she got through it cleanly, Brooks immediately pointed at Cheeks and laughed along with assistant Rex Kalamian about something. It had to be the same thing I was thinking.

• Griz fans booed every player in the Thunder’s starting lineup during pre-game intros. Brooks even got booed.

• Although Brooks said before the game that it’s too early to call the Thunder-Grizzlies a rivalry, James Harden said it has turned into just that. “Yeah, you can say that,” Harden said. “Two physical teams. Young teams. Every time we play against each other it’s like a very tough battle. We know it’s going to be a battle so both teams come in looking to do whatever it takes to win.”

• I hate that I’ve gotten this far without mentioning Harden’s game. And if you stuck with me this long, you deserve a drink on me. But Harden was phenomenal. He had 20 points tonight in 30 minutes off the bench. He added seven boards and two assists while not turning it over a single time. This guy is destined to win the Sixth Man Award this year. Through three games, he’s averaging 18.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Dude hasn’t attempted more than 11 shots in any game. He’s gotten to the line 27 times, making 22, and has only three turnovers thus far. Where’s John Hollinger when you need him? Somebody tally Harden’s player efficiency rating and true shooting percentage and get back to me.

• KD did something I loved on the first possession of the third quarter. He pushed Tony Allen to the floor while battling for positioning in the post. It’s something Durant learned during the playoffs last year. If he has a physical defender guarding him and the refs are letting him get away with it, he then has leeway to push back. What Durant did was clearly a foul, but it went uncalled. That’s going to be important for KD to have in his back pocket come playoff time.

• Durant also pulled out the one-legged Dirk Nowitzki again tonight. He got Allen with it moments after the push-down possession. It is an absolute beautiful shot to witness live. And when you hear the ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd as it splashes through the net, you know everyone in the arena appreciates it, too.

• Am I the only one who thought of this when KD hit that step-back tonight over Rudy Gay?

• Here’s what Durant said before the game when asked about Allen’s D: “He’s just a gnat. He’s not a trash talker or anything like that. He just frustrates you by how hard he plays. Whenever he gets screened, he never gives up on the play and that’s the type of player you respect. He made me better that series last year. It kind of took me awhile to figure out how he was going to play me, but I figured it out over time.”

• Durant had his right fingers being worked on by the medical staff between the end of the third and start of the fourth. He said he got banged up a little in practice the other day but is fine and added it’s not affecting him on the court.

• Up next: Dallas on Thursday in the first of six TNT games for the Thunder.

-DM-

First former assistant coach Ron Adams (left) headed to Chicago. Now Maurice Cheeks could be on the move.

ESPN.com is reporting that Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks is a candidate for Toronto’s coaching vacancy.

The report, citing unnamed sources, says Cheeks joins Lawrence Frank and Dwane Casey on the Raptors’ short list.

The Raptors are not expected to make a decision on their coach until GM Bryan Colangelo returns from a scouting trip in Europe. They are also expected to wait until they can interview Mavericks assistant coach Casey, after the NBA Finals.”

This is the second straight summer that Cheeks has been linked to another opening. Last summer, Cheeks was widely reported to be a candidate to join Tom Thibodeau’s staff in Chicago. ESPN.com’s Ric Bucher also tweeted Thursday night that Cheeks may draw interest from Detroit.

Cheeks’ contract with the Thunder, which could have been the barricade that prevented him from jumping to Chicago, is believed to be expiring. If Cheeks does depart Thunder coach Scott Brooks’ staff, his loss could potentially be a big blow in Oklahoma City. Since joining the Thunder prior to the 2009-10 season, Cheeks has been instrumental in the development of point guard Russell Westbrook. With Cheeks’ guidance, Westbrook has become a better lead guard and, in 2010-11, developed into a first-time All-Star and a Second-Team All-NBA selection.

Cheeks owns a 284-286 coaching record over six-plus seasons with Portland and Philadelphia. As a head coach, Cheeks’ teams made the playoffs three times and won 50 games once.

-DM-

           – Don’t be stunned if center Kendrick Perkins is activated for the Thunder’s three-game road trip at Cleveland, Washington and Miami next week.

          That doesn’t guarantee he’ll start or even play, but the 6-foot-10, 280-pound Perkins is expected to practice with his teammates for the first time Friday since being traded two weeks ago.

          Presumably, the Thunder will try to let Perkins make his return on the road, where there is considerably less pressure than playing in front of your new fans at home after a trade.

          Perkins has made steady progress rehabbing his sprained left knee and you can sense an excitement among Thunder personnel that he is close to returning.

          Thunder coach Scott Brooks might share an official target date for Perkins’ return after today’s practice, but every player essentially is considered day-to-day until Brooks receives clearance from the team’s medical staff on an injury.

          – The Thunder traded for Perkins and Nazr Mohammed to get bigger, but lately OKC has gone small to combat perimeter matchup problems while awaiting Perkins’ return.

          At Memphis on Monday night, the Thunder lost 107-101 with a smaller lineup, but OKC was able to do a decent job containing the powerful inside duo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, who combined for 35 points, but just 12 rebounds. What killed the Thunder was poor decision-making on offense, plus being unable to stop the penetration of Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley. Memphis also got clutch play from former Oklahoma State guard Tony Allen and the predictable hustle from reserve Shane Battier, who had seven points and seven rebounds (five offensive).

          At Philly on Wednesday, the Thunder went with even a smaller, four-guard lineup at the start of the second and fourth quarters with James Harden, Eric Maynor, Thabo Sefolosha, Daequan Cook and power forward Nick Collison.

          In the second quarter, that lineup came from six down to forge a tie at 41 before All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook re-entered. In the fourth quarter, though the lineup struggled to score early, it set the defensive tone that eventually resulted in victory.

          So while some Thunder fans have questioned Brooks for going with a smaller lineup, these past two weeks actually should be viewed as a good sign that OKC has shown the capability to go small, which can still be used as an alternative even when the team gets bigger with Perkins.

- Serge Ibaka isn’t the only player to step in and replace Jeff Green at the stretch 4 spot. Durant and Thabo Sefolosha have, too.

Perhaps the best way to explain is to have somebody smart tell it. Therefore, here is Nick Collison explaining Wednesday’s success while going small:

“We’re having a tough time with pick-and-rolls, and when we play a perimeter guy at the 4, we can switch (on screens). I think that helps us at times, plus it gives the other team a different look they have to adjust to. Thaddeus Young (four points, five rebounds in 29 minutes) really didn’t hurt us a lot individually playing against a bigger guy (Ibaka). Initially you look at that matchup and say he’s a tough cover for a traditional big, but he wasn’t really killing us, which helped us with the pick-and-rolls. KD can play the 4. It’s actually similar to what Jeff did. They’re different players, but they kind of overlap a little bit. And when they’re playing a perimeter guy like Thaddeus Young, Thabo can play the 4, too.”

- Cook obviously likes the smaller lineup because he has a better chance of playing, but there are other reasons. “You get a lot of ball movement. You get a lot of quickness. If you’ve got KD at the 4, it’s a big mismatch for the other team, plus he’s able to distribute the ball the way he can. It makes the offense flow a lot better.”

- The most omnipresent question asked of Thunder players and coaches this season no doubt has been having someone explain the team’s slow starts defensively.

“Man, you always ask me that question,” Durant said Wednesday night.

Sorry. Just looking for an answer.

Cook: “We’ve got to fix that. The championship-caliber teams are not going to let us back in the game, so we’ve got to figure out a way to not start out games like that. It’s just a learning process, but we have found ways to better ourselves as a team.”

Collison: “We wish we could be more consistent and play good defense all the time, but it’s good to be able to it late, I guess. I could definitely tell a difference in how it felt that last stretch (against the Sixers). Everybody was more engaged, a lot tougher.”

Sefolosha: “I really can’t figure out why, but I guess better late than never …”

Brooks: “… Or not at all.”

- Two members of the maintenance crew were overheard inside the Wells Fargo Center around midnight.

Worker No. 1: “Man, we blew it tonight. We had ‘em. Oklahoma City was dead.”

Worker No. 2: “Hey, as long as they have Durant, those guys are never dead.”

Had the Thunder indeed lost, it would be 39-24 right now – the exact same record it had through 63 games last season.

Ollie, who turns 37 in late December, is regarded as one of the classiest guys in basketball and that characterization was evident in our brief chat. He was thankful for the opportunity to continue his career and eager to meet his new teammates and start training camp. He was insightful, introspective, eloquent, humble and gave the impression of being an extremely hard worker. Thunder fans definitely will take a liking to Ollie’s personality, and if he provides anything of value on the court this season that will just be icing on the cake.

DM: What attracted you to the Thunder?
KO: From Day One they gave me a call and expressed interest and had a strong belief in me and my talents and what I can bring as an asset to the team. So I really appreciate their involvement from Day One. And once I met Sam Presti and coach Brooks I just fell in love with the organization. They do everything in a classy way, and I just believe that they’re building a winning program there that I wanted to be a part of.

DM: I know you went out to Vegas during the summer league and met with team officials back in mid-July. What do you remember about the Thunder’s recruiting process?
KO: Their recruiting process is great. It was informative. They were straight up with  me by saying what they expect of me and how they believe in me as a basketball player but most importantly as a person. Coming in there and being a mentor to some of the young guys and being a veteran, which I am, just trying to shed some light on the experiences that I’ve been through in this league, the ups and downs and how to continue to stay mentally and physically prepared for the challenge ahead. That’s what I’ve tried to do throughout my whole career. And that’s what I’ll try to convey to the young guys on the team and just bring that veteran leadership that I try to display each and every season.

DM: Is there anything that stood out in their recruiting efforts? Can you give me a behind-the-scenes look at anything they did that sort of stood out?
KO: Just how they believe in their players and believe in their vision. I think if you don’t have a vision you don’t have hope and everything is going to perish. But they have a vision and a plan of what they want to do and are going out and executing that vision. And I just really like that. It might not show to the other people, but they have a vision and they believe in themselves and have standards that they’re going to uphold. That’s what I believe in life, that you have to stand on your convictions and sometimes you have to be alone. It might not agree with everybody. But if you have your own convictions and your own dreams of where your organization wants to go and believe in your organization and you believe in what you’re doing I’m all for that.  Because after my playing career I might want to go into coaching or in the front office and I could learn how they’re building their program around their convictions and their standards.

DM: I understand you’re not coming to OKC looking at automatic third-string duty. You’re going to come in and compete with Shaun Livingston for the backup spot, correct?
KO: Yeah. Shaun wouldn’t have it no other way and Russell wouldn’t have it no other way. I’m the old guy on the team, but I still think I have some life in these legs and I definitely believe in myself. That’s all I wanted when I started the recruiting process, an opportunity to compete for minutes. Either way it goes, if Brooks says I’m not qualified to get those minutes I’m going to keep working hard to try to get qualified to get those minutes. But I wanted to have the opportunity and they said they were going to give me that opportunity. And that’s the only thing you ask as a player and everything else is on you.

DM: You saw the Thunder a lot as a member of the Wolves last season. What were your impressions of this team?
KO: They played hard and they showed a lot of resiliency through a difficult season. But you always knew that they were going to play hard. We caught them on one of their worst nights when they came to Minnesota and didn’t play well, but the next night they responded again. And that’s what shows character. A lot of people can jump and high-five when you’re up 20. But can you do the same thing when you’re down 20 or down 25. That shows the character of the team, when you believe in yourself in the tough times. And that’s what I saw out of the Thunder, they always played hard. And I know coach Brooks is trying to make that a staple and a teaching lesson every day in practice.

DM: Do you know any of the current players personally? Have you had a chance to develop a relationship with any of these guys off the court?
KO: No. I don’t know any of them personally. I know Etan Thomas from the Big East and playing against him throughout my career. But I don’t know any of them. I’m definitely going to get to know them. I’m going to come out in early September and spend a couple of days getting to know the guys a little bit better. But during this training camp coming up we’re going to have a lot of time to spend with one another and I look forward to it. I’ve just been hearing so many positive things about their work ethic and how they believe in themselves and go out there and perform each and every day and put in the extra work. And that’s right up my alley. I’m just looking forward to spending good, quality time with all the young guys because they make me feel young. I’m going on 37, but being around those guys and looking at their passion and their motivation every day gets me going and gets me back to feeling like I’m 23 again.

DM: When will you arrive permanently for the start of camp or to look for a place and get settled and things like that?
KO: Probably the first week of September. I’m going to come down and look for a place and spend a couple of days getting acclimated to the city. I have two children and my wife who are going to stay back in Connecticut. So I’m going to go back to Connecticut and make sure I spend some time with them and make sure I’m there for the first day of school and get them going in their schoolwork and things like that. And then I’ll probably be back the last week of September getting ready for training camp for good.

DM: Can you describe your game to the fans out here who might not be familiar with you?
KO: I’m just a hard worker. If they like hard work and bringing energy, that’s what I try to do each and every day. I try to change the tempo. I’m a defensive-minded guard. I like to get up in my opponent and challenge him on the defensive end. And I just try to push the ball and be one of the leaders out there directing. I’m a facilitator and I’m going to be an extension of the coach. I want the coach to believe in me that I’m not going to be the one that turns the ball over and I’ll be a rock and a pillar for him on and off the basketball floor. I’m sure they’ll expect that of me, and I’m going to expect that of myself each and every day.

DM: What’s your approach to mentoring these young guys?
KO: I just want to be there for them. I don’t want to harp to them about what I did back in the day. I want to first gain their trust and know that I believe in them. And if they have any questions about any experiences I’ve been through in this league, I’m willing and able to give them everything they need. So I just want to spend time with them and get to know them. But I want to gain their trust and get them to know that I’m there for their best benefit. And hopefully I push them in practice, too. I’m going to push the guards and work hard and I’m not going to take any shortcuts. And hopefully they can learn something from the great coaching staff we have and all the great players we have around them.

DM: Were there any promises from this coaching staff or front office in terms of helping you transition into coaching?
KO: No. It wasn’t any promises. They said you’re a basketball player first. We’re not having you come in to be a fifth coach. They want me to get out there and prove myself and earn some minutes and that’s what I wanted to hear. I’m not a coach yet. But this is a good opportunity for me to understand the coaching staff that I have and continue to learn. I know that my career is at the end and I’ve got to make that transition. I’ve got to see how certain things work, how they talk and how they communicate with their players. That’s for me to grasp. And I’m going to do that. I’m a sponge. I try to gain as much knowledge as I can from people who I know have great basketball knowledge.

DM: When the team was recruiting you they had yet to announce they had hired Maurice Cheeks. But there were reports that the Thunder was interested in him. Did you know at the time that the organization was looking at him?
KO: There was some buzz out there. But it wasn’t anything definite. There wasn’t a signed contract. But that was one of the great things knowing that they were recruiting Mo Cheeks and coach Cheeks had an interest in the team. It just shows what kind of character and what kind of winning tradition they’re trying to build here in Oklahoma City. Just knowing I’m going to be around coach Cheeks for another season is just a great thing and a learning tool for me as a person but also as a basketball player to be under his tutelage again. Him, coach Adams who I know, coach Bryant, they’ve just got a great coaching staff assembled. If you can’t learn from these guys you might as well give it up.

DM: What will Cheeks bring to this team as an assistant?
KO: Just his personality. Just being personable. Just his work ethic. But just a friend. He was my coach but you can go and talk to coach Cheeks about anything. He’s always open, always honest. He’s a man full of integrity, full of pride and he’s just a great teacher and a great motivator. But the thing I took away from coach Cheeks during my time with him was the time off the basketball court. We’d just sit and talk. Or he’d bring us in the middle after practice and just talk for 30 minutes, not even about basketball but about life and the decisions you make. How the decisions you make today are going to affect your tomorrow. He talked a lot about always knowing that you could be better, a better basketball player but most importantly a better person. And that’s what I take from coach Cheeks, his integrity, his honesty and he was always straight forward with you as a coach.

DM: There seems to be a little debate about whether this is your 12th team and ties you with Tony Massenburg, Chucky Brown and Jim Jackson for the NBA record of playing with the most teams. The league counts Oklahoma City as the Seattle franchise, which you’ve already played for and keeps you at 11 different teams for your career. But what do you think about closing in on that record? Is the distinction of being the most journeyed player in NBA history something you actually want?
KO: Yeah. If that’s the title then that’s the title. But I don’t get caught up in titles. It’s been a great experience for me to meet different people, organizations, different players. I have some great friends that I’ve met throughout my career. If that’s what I’m defined by then that’s what I’m defined by. But anybody who knows me knows what kind of person I am. I don’t even brag about being in the league 13 years after not getting drafted. I believe that I’m a God-fearing man, that I love the Lord and that I’m a great husband. And I hope that’s my legacy and people will know me for that more than spending 13 years in the league and being on 12 or 14 different teams. I don’t care about that. Just know that I’m a God-fearing man, that I’m a great husband and I’m a great father to my kids. That’s what I want to be known for.

-DM-

It was previously reported that Dale Osbourne, a former assistant with the Utah Flash, has taken a job with Oklahoma City. But it appears Osbourne will join the Tulsa 66ers, the D-League affiliate of the Thunder, in some capacity.

Cheeks, who has 30 years of NBA experience as a player and coach, was most recently coach of the Philadelphia 76ers from 2005-08. He holds a 284-286 record as head coach with Philadelphia and Portland. Cheeks spent seven seasons as an assistant with the 76ers prior to joining the Blazers.

Cheeks spent 15 seasons as an NBA point guard and helped the 76ers advance to the NBA Playoffs 10 times in 11 seasons and was a member of Philadelphia’s 1983 NBA championship. Cheeks was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team five times and played in four All-Star games. Thunder coach Scott Brooks teamed with Cheeks for two season with the Sixers from 1988-90. Cheeks retired in 1993 as the all-time leader in steals and ranked fifth in steals.

Kalamian, most recently an assistant in Sacramento. Kalamian, then an assistant coach/player development coach, served on the same staff as Thunder coach Scott Brooks in Denver during the 2004-05 season. Kalamian also worked for the Los Angeles Clippers for nine seasons, Minnesota for two seasons and served as a West Coast scout for Philadelphia during the 2003-04 season.

“We are thrilled to add Maurice and Rex to our coaching staff,” said Brooks. “They bring a wealth of NBA experience and solid work ethic that will help our players continued development.”

The Thunder retained assistant coach Ron Adams, assistant coach/player development Mark Bryant and assistant coach/player development Brian Keefe from last year’s staff.

-DM-