For OKC's Brooks, it remains all about player development

Three of his starters tried out for USA Basketball, two making it. Another first-teamer is plying his trade for Serbia at the FIBA World Championship.

When it comes to offseason programs, could Thunder coach Scott Brooks have asked for anything more?

Kevin Durant has quickly developed into the face of USA Basketball, which is in Saturday's semifinals against Lithuania. Russell Westbrook is one of the first Americans off Mike Krzyzewski's bench. Nenad Krstic, after a bumpy road that included a brief FIBA suspension, has helped lead Serbia into its first semifinal against host Turkey.

"I love the fact that Russell and K.D. are playing for Team USA, and Nenad for Serbia," Brooks said Friday. "I never had that opportunity. That's one of the things that you wish for as an athlete is to represent your country. It's great to represent your team and our guys did a great job representing the Thunder, but to represent the United States of America and for Nenad to represent Serbia is a great honor."

Oklahoma City employs an extensive offseason program, which has become a staple under general manager Sam Presti. There are specific instructions for each of the players, depending on areas of improvement, their experience level and health. Brooks and his coaching staff travels the country, and in some cases the world, putting that plan into action.

This summer was no different, except for those with excused absences. In addition to Durant, Westbrook and Krstic, Jeff Green was one of USA Basketball's finals cuts. That experience, especially for those with USA Basketball, reinforced the Thunder's mission.

"Coach K preaches a lot of the same things that we preach -- defensive intensity, sharing the ball on offense -- so it's a great opportunity for them to see it at a different level," Brooks said. "Coach K is one of the best coaches on any level. He preaches what all winning, championship teams preach.

"It helps us. He's won many championships at Duke, he's won the [2008 Olympic] gold medal. What they are about is what we're about -- being great teammates, finding your role and getting better every day."

Brooks has communicated with his three players at the Worlds after almost every game. And while he supports all three, there's obviously a soft spot for the United States. Durant, a shoo-in for the 2012 Olympic squad, and Westbrook are two wins from a gold medal.

Those two have taken on responsibilities that differ from their roles with the Thunder. That should only speed along their already rapid development.

"Russell is a starting point guard in this league and a very good one," Brooks said. "Now he's coming off the bench at different positions, which gives him a better understanding on different levels. Kevin is playing on one of the best teams in the world, and it's a different basketball game. They play a physical style. It's great for him to see that."

Brooks didn't leave those without national-team commitments empty handed. Young players such as James Harden, Eric Maynor, Serge Ibaka, Byron Mullens, D.J. White and rookie Cole Aldrich had the full attention of the staff.

"I like how Eric and James have played this past summer," said Brooks, singling out the two second-year guards. "Eric has really developed some strength in his body. It wasn't like he was a weak link, but he's gained some muscle and some strength. I thought James had a good summer of developing his playmaking ability."

Brooks also reached out to newcomers Morris Peterson, Royal Ivey and Daequan Cook. The rehab for the team's most-tenured player, Nick Collison, is on schedule after knee surgery. Most of the roster has cycled through Oklahoma City over the last few months for workouts at the team's practice facility.

But the get-togethers haven't been strictly about basketball. Just sharing a meal to get to know a player on a personal level is just as important to team-building, Brooks said. He spent several days with Mullens in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, just hanging out.

"This is something Sam and I believe in," Brooks said. "We work so well together because we believe in the same thing. We haven't changed since Sam has taken over."

That commitment to player development, both internally and internationally, is easily tracked. The work is paying off, Brooks said, as Oklahoma City broke through last season despite being one of the league's youngest teams.

"They do see it, but they still understand there's a long way to go," Brooks said. "We have not arrived. We are not the final product that we will be in years to come. As long as we continue to hold them accountable and challenge them to get better, they can't rest."

Art Garcia has covered the NBA since 1999. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter.

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