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OKLAHOMA CITY -- Maybe life after Kevin Durant wont be so bad for the Thunder.After the longtime face of the franchise left for Golden State, crestfallen Oklahoma City fans were worried it was just a matter of time before the teams co-star, Russell Westbrook, would follow suit. In a move that shocked many, Westbrook re-signed with Oklahoma City. The former scoring champion and two-time All-Star MVPs return gives the team hope.New faces such as shooting guard Victor Oladipo and forward Domantas Sabonis, both acquired in the deal that sent Serge Ibaka to Orlando, might take some time to fit in. Westbrook believes the team is talented enough to succeed if it is focused and the new pieces blend with the old ones who helped the Thunder reach the Western Conference Finals last season.Just play hard, man, Westbrook said. I dont know, win or lose. The only thing I know is that as long as we play hard, we give ourselves an opportunity to win.Westbrook could post historic numbers. He averaged 23.5 points, 10.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds last season and had 18 triple-doubles, the most since Magic Johnson had 18 during the 1981-82 season. Without Durant, more of that could be on the way.Sabonis, a rookie out of Gonzaga who played for Lithuanias Olympic team, played with the starters throughout the preseason. Oladipo averaged 15.9 points and 4.0 assists in three years with Orlando. He joins Westbrook to form arguably the most athletic backcourt tandem in the NBA.Defensively, I think we can be the best defensive backcourt in the league because we can do different things with our size and using our length and our speed, Westbrook said.Here are some things to watch for the Thunder:STEVEN ADAMSThe 7-footer from New Zealand was already a top-notch defender and rebounder before stepping up his offense and averaging 10.1 points during the playoffs last season. In his final two preseason games, he scored 20 points against Minnesota and 17 points against Denver. He could be a breakout star.I think weve had an opportunity these last two nights (against Minnesota and Denver) how good he is around the basket, how smart he has become and how much of a presence he is in the middle, Westbrook said.ENES KANTERThe natural expectation was that Ibakas departure would prompt coach Billy Donovan to move Kanter, who finished third in balloting for the leagues sixth-man award last season, into the starting lineup. Instead, Donovan started Sabonis throughout the preseason. Perhaps Donovan knows best -- Sabonis showed he can hang with the starters, and Kanter averaged 17.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 61.7 percent in the preseason.DEFENSIVE DROPOFF?Oklahoma Citys defense could slip with Ibaka in Orlando. Sabonis has great potential, but hes young, and NBA defense takes some time to learn. Donovan said Sabonis has caught on quickly, but there still could be a dip early because Ibakas level of play is difficult to replace -- he was a three-time first-team All-NBA defender and a two-time blocks leader.FOREIGN EXCHANGEThe Thunder added several foreign players to the roster who will add depth -- Spains Alex Abrines, Frances Joffrey Lauvergne and Turkeys Ersan Ilyasova. Donovan said he likes the maturity foreign players add to a team. Abrines played for Spains national team that earned bronze medals at the Olympics. Lauvergne played for France in Rio.FORGOT ABOUT `DRE?Andre Roberson has shifted from the starting shooting guard to starting small forward. That means the Thunder still have Robersons dynamic athletic ability, defensive prowess and nose for the ball on the boards in the lineup. He was a liability on offense in the past, but he started becoming more of a factor on offense during the playoffs last season.I think he feels more comfortable and confident offensively, Donovan said. Hes put forth effort in that area. Its just him continuing to grow offensively and trying to put him in situations where he slashes to the basket and he can cut and he can get out in transition and he can take his open corner threes.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAPChristian Wilkins Dolphins Jersey . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. Larry Csonka Youth Jersey .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Michael-deiter-dolphins-jersey/ . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Josh Rosen Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Mike Gesicki Youth Jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013.Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock won the gold medal in mixed doubles on Sunday, defeating fellow Americans Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram in three sets for the title.The two were understandably thrilled by the win, and both took to social media to share their disbelief over their new hardware. However, despite accolades and praise from just about everyone and an appearance on Today on Monday morning, there still might be a few people out there who dont exactly know who they are. The New York Post printed a photo spread of the winning pair, and while the pictures were great, there was just one little prroblem.ddddddddddddThey didnt know Mattek-Sands first name. Instead, they called her Brittany. She of course took it all in stride.Great spread of @jack.sock and I in @nypost but whos Brittnay!?!A photo posted by MATTeK-SaNDS (@matteksands) onAug 15, 2016 at 7:10am PDTWhatever, guys. Youre still OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALISTS, and it really doesnt get much better than that.See something entertaining on social media that you think deserves to be shared? Let me know on Twitter, @darcymaine_espn. ' ' '