Steve's Thunder Notes: Game Week Has Arrived

Game Week Has Arrived

San Antonio comes to town for game number one of the season. How's that for openers on Wednesday night at the Peake? Well done NBA schedule makers. Thunder fans are hungry to see their title contenders again and playing the 5-time NBA champs magnifies the matchup even more.

A loss to the Spurs would not be the end of the world, but a win over the experienced Spurs would be a nice boost don't you think?

Sunday night on the Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz, the radio voice of the Thunder Matt Pinto said this is the deepest Thunder team ever and I would agree. San Antonio is just a deep though, featuring Patty Mills, Manu Ginobli, David West, Boris Diaw and Kyle Anderson projected to come off the bench. San Antonio's starting five picked up a huge addition with LaMarcus Aldridge coming over from Portland. Then again, OKC's starting five picked up a big addition too, with Kevin Durant back at it 100 percent. Which former Longhorn wants it more? I'll go with number 35.

I'm not big on predictions but I'll take a shot at Wednesday's final score:  Thunder 109 Spurs 100,  Billy Donovan picks up NBA victory number one and doing so over one of the best, Gregg Popovich.

Friday Night In Orlando

If OKC can take care of San Antonio they have a shot to reel off some consecutive wins to start the season. Friday night Oklahoma City plays at Orlando. A coaching matchup between two good former college point guards, Billy Donovan (Providence) vs. Scott Skiles (Michigan State).  The Florida media will be all over this game, since Billy is coming back to the Sunshine State for the first time since leaving Gator country. You might recall Donovan accepted the Orlando Magic Head Coaching position in 2007, but later changed his mind back and returned to Gainesville.

My first Thunder road trip starts in Florida, not bad at all.