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NBA Power Rankings – Season Starts

Found December 30, 2011 on Hoops Fantasy:
PLAYERS: Kevin Durant,  Russell Westbrook,  Derrick Rose,  Chris Paul
TEAMS: Oklahoma City Thunder,  Miami Heat,  Portland Trail Blazers,  Atlanta Hawks,  Denver Nuggets,  Indiana Pacers,  San Antonio Spurs,  Chicago Bulls,  Los Angeles Clippers,  Los Angeles Lakers,  New Orleans Hornets

Even though the 2011-12 NBA season is less than a week old, we are already seeing the cream starting to rise to the top. Some teams are surprisingly bad, while a number of teams are better than pundits projected. So which ten teams are the best teams in the NBA? Here’s our NBA power rankings: 1. Oklahoma City Thunder Despite some in-fighting between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are an impressive 4-0 already. 2. Miami Heat The Heat, 3-0, look like they will have a dominant season. 3. Portland Trail Blazers The Blazers have won by an average of 11.7 points in their three games. 4. Atlanta Hawks The Hawks have two blowout victories in their two games so far this season. 5. Denver Nuggets The Nuggets looked great in their two wins and lost a close game to the Blazers. 6. Indiana Pacers The Pacers are undefeated and appear to be a sleeper in the Eastern Conference. 7. San Antonio Spurs The Spurs had two good wins to begin the season before getting beaten by the R...
Original Story: http://feeds.b5media.com/~r/b5media/H...
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Video: Kevin Durant's game-winner at buzzer

Via Rant Sports  |  December 29, 2011
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Russell Westbrook-Kevin Durant Altercation Leads to 0-13 Shooting Night

Via Larry Brown Sports  |  December 29, 2011
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Thunder edge Grizzlies 98-95 in playoff rematch

Via AP on Fox  |  December 29, 2011
Kevin Durant is learning to be patient if he gets off to a bad start shooting. Durant showed the new approach Wednesday night, scoring 32 points, despite missing six of his first seven shots, as the Oklahoma City Thunder remained undefeated with a 98-95 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. ''You know, I think I'm maturing as a player,'' Durant said. ''...

Kevin Durant Fights with Russell Westbrook

Via Hoops Fantasy  |  December 28, 2011
After the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated last year in the playoffs, the talk surrounding the team was concerning how well Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook could coexist. While Westbrook is a talented point guard, he’s also a player who looks to score first — and that doesn’t mesh well with Durant, who is arguably the NBA’s best scorer. The rocky relationship...

Kevin Durant hits buzzer beating three to beat the Mavs (Video)

Via roundballchat.com  |  December 30, 2011
  Just when it looked like the defending NBA Champions, were going to get their first win of the season, Kevin Durant broke their heats. Newly acquired Vince Carter hit a three pointer; on a pass from Dirk Nowitzki to give the Dallas Mavericks a 102-101 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder with 1.4 seconds left. Then Durant stole the show. He hit a 35 foot buzzer beating three pointer...

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Via Boston Herald Sports  |  December 30, 2011
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Westbrook leads Thunder to 5-0 start

Via AP on Fox  |  December 31, 2011
Russell Westbrook scored 18 points and Daequan Cook hit four 3-pointers in quick succession to help Oklahoma City pull away in the first half as the Thunder led wire to wire in a 107-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. The Thunder improved to 5-0 and remained perfect in four New Year's Eve home games that have become a tradition since the franchise moved from...

Recap: Memphis vs. Oklahoma City

Via Basketball ] MiamiHerald.com  |  December 28, 2011
Kevin Durant scored 32 points and hit a critical jumper down the stretch, as the Thunder shot down the Grizzlies, 98- 95, in a rematch of last season's Western Conference semifinals.

Russell Westbrook Reportedly Feels Coach Scott Brooks Blames Him for Losses

Via Larry Brown Sports  |  December 29, 2011
Russell Westbrook already seems to have some friction with Kevin Durant. Might his biggest problem be with Thunder coach Scott Brooks? In a post explaining why Russell Westbrook won’t work in Oklahoma City, J.A. Adande slipped in the following nugget: “[Westbrook's] told friends he feels Thunder coach Scott Brooks blames him for losses, while the credit for victories...

Suns-Thunder Preview

Via AP on Fox  |  December 31, 2011
Kevin Durant seems poised to take the Oklahoma City Thunder to new heights this season. Helping the franchise get off to its best start in 13 years would set a good tone. Coming off a thrilling victory over the defending NBA champions, Oklahoma City looks to beat the visiting Phoenix Suns for the fourth straight time Saturday night. Durant kept the Thunder (4-0) undefeated by hitting...

Durant's 32 help Thunder stay unbeaten (AP)

Via Yahoo! Sports  |  December 28, 2011
Kevin Durant scored 32 points, James Harden added 20, and the Oklahoma City Thunder remained undefeated with a 98-95 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. Durant, who started the game 1 of 7, made nine of his next 10 before making the clinching free throws with a second left. Kendrick Perkins added 10 for Oklahoma City, but point guard Russell Westbrook had only...

Westbrook, Thunder coast past Suns

Via MSNBC  |  December 31, 2011
Russell Westbrook scored 18 points, Daequan Cook hit four 3-pointers in quick succession to help Oklahoma City pull away in the first half and the Thunder led wire to wire in a 107-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

Thunder notebook: Russell Westbrook struggles after altercation with Kevin Durant

Via NewsOK.com - OKC Thunder  |  December 28, 2011
BY DARNELL MAYBERRY, Staff Writer, dmayberry@opubco.comOKC THUNDER — Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook appear to argue on bench during a second-quarter timeout.Read more on NewsOK.com

Day 5 of 124: Mr. Big Shot

Via Give Me The Rock  |  December 30, 2011
Before you do anything else, head on over and watch the end of the Thunder-Mavs game if you haven’t already. Kevin Durant’s shot is easily the best of the year so far, and probably will be one of the best even after 63 more games. I mean: fade-away three-pointer from about 4 feet behind the line with 1.4 seconds and it barely catches the rim on the way through. That&...

Thunder fans give Russell Wesbrook a hand — and he answers back

Via NewsOK.com - OKC Thunder  |  December 30, 2011
BY MIKE SHERMAN, Sports Editor, msherman@opubco.comDon't go calling this Thunder season “special,” yet.Even after Kevin Durant's buzzer-beater from somewhere near the Oklahoma River gave the Thunder a 104-102 victory over Dallas, coach Scott Brooks cautioned against it in his postgame news conference.Read more on NewsOK.com
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