Thunder much improved with Sefolosha in tow
The front-page photo on the Oklahoma City Thunder Web site Tuesday was a smiling Thabo Sefolosha carrying teammate Damien Wilkins on his back.
The players were celebrating the Thunder's 78-76 home win over San Antonio on Monday and the shot was indicative of Sefolosha's status with his new team.
Traded from the Bulls for a low first-round draft pick just before the Feb. 19 trade deadline, Sefolosha has been a minor sensation in Oklahoma. The Thunder is 6-5 with Sefolosha in uniform after going 13-43 without him. The Bulls will get a look at their former teammate tonight in Oklahoma City.
In 11 games with the Thunder, Sefolosha is logging 35 minutes - doubling his playing time in Chicago - while averaging 11.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals.
"I definitely feel like I can improve a lot, especially here with them giving me a chance to be on the court," Sefolosha said in The Oklahoman. "I think that's really what it takes to improve in this league - get a feel for being on the floor, seeing what works, what doesn't work and what you can improve on."
With the Bulls, the 6-foot-7 Sefolosha showed signs of being a good defender, but never seemed to have enough speed to stay with smaller opponents. Against the Spurs, Thunder coach Scott Brooks switched the Switzerland native onto point guard Tony Parker in the third quarter and Sefolosha's defense was credited for sparking a 17-point comeback.
"Thabo played great," Thunder teammate Jeff Green said. "His defense on Tony Parker was amazing. I think his length bothered Tony a little bit and he challenged every shot."
Rivers on Rose: Boston coach Doc Rivers, a Maywood native, had an interesting take on Bulls rookie Derrick Rose before Tuesday's game.
"I love him. I love his humility," Rivers said. "He seems to handle everything the right way. I was reading the stuff about him and Vinny (Del Negro) when he didn't play down the stretch. A lot of young guys would have gone the wrong way with those answers and he was phenomenal - 'I've got to be a better defensive player.'
"He's right and you love hearing that. You love seeing the way he plays. I like him a lot. I think he has a chance to be a superstar, for sure. Hopefully not tonight."
Bull horns: Vinny Del Negro said injured forward Luol Deng still felt pain while running on the treadmill recently, but his bruised right shin is showing improvement. "It feels better than it did, which is a good sign," Del Negro said. ... The Bulls shot 22 free throws in the first half on Tuesday, 12 by Tyrus Thomas. They average 25 per game.