Postgame Quotes - March 11, 2011

Detroit: John Kuester | Rodney Stuckey
Oklahoma City: Scott Brooks | James Harden | Kevin Durant

Pistons Head Coach John Kuester
(On defensive pressure during the second period?) “We didn’t handle their pressure well during that period but I thought our guys came back and worked hard in that third and fourth period. We had some stretches where we allowed them to extend the lead and we were playing catch up the whole time. I thought our guys competed. I thought (Rodney) Stuckey came off the bench and did a great job. (We) got (Richard) Hamilton playing extremely well also. Both of those guys did a great job off the bench.”

(On playing a good shooting team) “They are a playoff quality team in the West and there is no question they are an outstanding basketball team and well coached. We have to play our A-game, like I thought we did at the beginning of the first period. I thought we did a great job but you just have to sustain it for 48 minutes.”

(On holding Westbrook and Durant but letting Harden come up?) “Harden is one of those assassins that just doesn’t need much of a chance to knock it down. He made some big shots, long shots too.”

(On next game against Denver) “George Karl is doing a great job with that group, especially with the trade. We will have our hands full. Arron Afflalo is playing well and Ty Lawson is playing well, so we will definitely have our hands full.”

Pistons Guard Rodney Stuckey

(On the game) “They were hitting shots. James Harden came in and played a very good game. Durant did his usual as well as Russell Westbrook. They played a complete game.”

(On their effort tonight) “We put in effort tonight. It just was not enough. The good thing is that we have another game tomorrow. We will come out, give the same effort and hopefully come out with the win.”

(On Defense) “Defense has been lacking all year. We have to get better at it especially going to play Denver. They are an up and down team so we are going to have to stay with them. They are going to be running.”

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Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks
(Opening statement) “It was another good win on our home floor. I thought we played solid with the ball offensively all night…We had 25 assists and nine turnovers. The ball was moving to find the open shooters and when we do that, we’ll make shots."

(On the Thunder’s defense) "I thought our defense in the first quarter was not very good. That’s something we have to keep addressing and keep finding ways to improve it and as the game went got stops when we needed it but offensively I thought we did a great job of moving the ball."

(On James Harden) "James (Harden) came in and made some timely shots for us and Nick (Collison) once again had just a solid game. Offensively, he had10 points and defensively he helping get stops.”

(On the Thunder’s treatment of Eastern Conference opponents) "We treat every game equally important so our coaches and assistant coaches always do a good job of going over all their plays and all their situations that they will present throughout the game. It’s no different other than we’ll play them only twice. It’s an opportunity for us to go on to Cleveland and continue to improve and get better and stay focused and play team basketball. Our guys believe in it, they love to do it and they just have to continue to do it and get better at it.”

Thunder Guard James Harden

(On his play of late) “I just have to step my game up and help my team. I just have to be aggressive and look for my shots but also to attack the basket and look for my teammates as well. I’m just being more aggressive in all aspects of my game.”

(On his teammates getting him involved) “My teammates are looking for me, especially on backdoor cuts coming off pins-downs. Eric (Maynor), Russ (Westbrook) and Kevin (Durant) do a good job of finding the guys and that’s what makes this team so special; we have several guys that can create for others.”

Thunder Guard Kevin Durant

(On the game) “We get everybody involved. Everybody gets a touch and just like any sport, once you get a few baskets you start to feel good about yourself. Everybody was energetic on the offensive end tonight…Defense could have been a lot better. We got stops when we needed to and had energy in spurts. It was enough to get us through but we’ve got to be better.”

(On the team’s passing) “We’re doing phenomenal passing the basketball. It starts with Eric (Maynor) and Russ (Westbrook) and they did a great job of making sure everyone’s involved.”