HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

The 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend has impressive Oklahoma City Thunder representation, with Kevin Durant named a Western Conference All-Star starter and a participant in the Three-Point Shoot-Out, Russell Westbrook named a reserve All-Star player and a participant in the Skills Challenge, Serge Ibaka named a player in the Rookie/Sophomore game and a participant in the Slam Dunk Contest, and James Harden named a last-minute substitution for Tyreke Evans on the Rookie/Sophomore team.

 

With so many Thunder players in attendance, we had to grab a couple of them to talk about their incredible season.  They are atop the Northwest Division in the Western Conference at a record of 35-10 (Portland and Utah are next with 32 wins).  Homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs is the focus down the stretch.

 

"That’s our mindset," Harden explained to HOOPSWORLD.  "I think we’re fourth in the West right now.  We want to just keep improving.  The second half of the season, we can’t slack off."

 

With Oklahoma City on a faster track than anyone predicted, we asked Harden the secret of how the team has progressed so far, so fast.

 

"Everybody’s playing their roles," he answered.  "Kevin is going out there scoring the ball.  Russell is doing what he does.  The bench coming in and contributing with no let-ups.  Just really locking in and trying to help each other on the defensive end."

 

Harden has not made the jump to the starting position as suspected.  Coach Scott Brooks likes the rotation of defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha in the starting unit at shooting guard, with Harden – and Ibaka, sometimes point guard Eric Maynor – usually off the bench first.

 

It’s been an adjustment for Harden, who was used to being The Man at Arizona State.

 

"I’m used to it now, I’m adjusted," he shared.  "Just go out there and play my role."

 

An adjustment, yes…what about the challenge of not starting?

 

"Just not playing as many minutes or having the focal point of the offense all the time," he answered.  "Which I guess is a good thing, so you get more opportunities to be aggressive in scoring."

 

Harden likes the direction the Thunder is moving.  He sees improvement in his team and in himself each day.

 

"Every single day," he said.  "Growing, I’m growing.  Just every single day.  Being in the gym, all the time, even though it’s supposed to be off days.  That’s just gonna make us better."

 

Now in Day Two of the Weekend, we know who won the Rookie/Sophomore game (Rookies 148-140), but the contributions of Ibaka and Harden must be highlighted.

 

First, Ibaka can shoot the three.  He connected on two of them in the game last night.  Ibaka has attempted only three such shots in 127 total NBA games played, making just one.

 

And second, Harden - a very, very late substitution to the team - ended up being the leading scorer for the Sophomores with 30 points including four-of-nine from beyond the arc.  Granted, the defense-poor score was amusing, but Harden did get to show off his athleticism.

 

So much for Harden’s pick prior to tip-off.

 

"Definitely us," when asked who would win the game.  "Rookies were losing several times in a row, so we got to start a new trend for the sophomores to win it."

 

We’ll have to leave that to next year’s crop of players.

 

Perhaps he’ll have better luck with his pick in the dunk contest.

 

"Serge," Harden answered when asked to name the winner.  "It’s gonna be a good one.  Serge is my teammate, DeMar (DeRozan) is my childhood friend and Blake (Griffin), so I’m excited to see it."

 

{AUTHOR_BOX}And while he’s in the mood to name winners, let’s just get personal.  Who would win a one-on-one between Griffin and Harden?

 

"Me," he said without hesitation.  "He can jump high, but he’s gonna have to guard me too, right?"

 

OK, between you, Kobe, Westbrook, and Griffin…

 

"Kobe," he interrupted before more players were thrown in the mix.  "He’s the best player in the NBA, right?"

 

One of the bigger surprises was the announcement Ibaka is going up against Griffin in the Dunk Contest.  Most would call it a futile attempt, but he’s game.

 

He wouldn’t share what tricks are up his sleeve, and neither will his coach, Durant, but we liked his answer when asked if his name should just be engraved on the Dunk Contest trophy right now.

 

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," he answered enthusiastically.

 

Ibaka, a name and face barely known just a little over a year ago, has taken hold in this league.  His English is still shaky, but he’s much better at communicating.

 

He’s become an impact player for the Thunder already; why was the transition so easy?

 

"I expect it, because I work hard," Ibaka said.  "I have a good team, where we work hard."

 

He knows the Thunder look to him for solid defense.  That role is clear.

 

"The first time I came here, (I) just stay more focused on strength, because it’s something I know my team needs, and it’s my business…the defense," Ibaka said.  "That’s something I stay focused first on.  Offense is coming after, you know?"

 

Even though the defense doesn’t look quite as strong as last year, Ibaka says it is definitely improving.  He explains why he thinks the team will be more successful in the playoffs this season.

 

"The formula is because we are working hard.  We have a good group.  We’re working hard…everybody and the coach.  I think we are playing defense better and better, so I think that’s the key."

 

"I can’t say nothing right now because right now we are focused, stay competing and play hard and we see after," continued Ibaka.  "The season is long."

 

Ibaka and Harden have embraced their roles; they may not be starting players now, but they are critical members to the team’s success.