interest and what their level of interest may mean to the

The departure of Kevin Durant in the offseason was a monumental moment for the Oklahoma City Thunder. When he left the team to go play for Golden State, it swallowed up all the attention for much of the offseason.However, the Thunder lost another key figure to the franchises growth. Serge Ibaka was dealt to Orlando in a trade involving Victor Oladipo. Ibaka had been in Oklahoma City almost as long as Durant and was a cornerstone to the teams success.However, with Ibaka making his return to Oklahoma City tonight for the first time since being traded in June, there doesnt seem to be the same animosity as toward Durant.I know that its going to be exciting there to go back and play where I used to play for seven years, Ibaka told NBA.com. I still have a lot of friends there. But my mind is just going to be focused on the game. Try to help my team get a win.The visiting Magic and Thunder will tip-off at 7 p.m. ET at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.Ibaka was drafted by Oklahoma City in the first round of the 2008 draft. After playing a year in the Spanish league, he joined the Thunder in the 2009-10 campaign.In his seven seasons with the franchise, Ibaka led the NBA in block shots twice and made the All-Defensive team three times. With trips to the Western Conference finals and the NBA Finals, Ibaka will be reminded of a lot of history, on and off the court.It was tough, Ibaka said. Everything is tough in the beginning. I just keep my head up and try to learn. I was getting my English class every time I can. I know Im going to see my ex-teammates. I know its going to be fun for me to compete against them.Yet, Ibaka contends he will be focused on only helping his Magic squad earn a victory. After losing 87-74 to Utah on Friday, Orlando has a record of 3-6 and players are struggling to adjust to new roles.Weve got to play unselfish and trust the next guy -- thats the bottom line, Magic center Bismack Biyombo told NBA.com. Its kind of frustrating that at this point were still playing like that. If were not making plays that are unselfish, then were not about winning. We have to be willing to sacrifice and do whatever it takes.Games like today you have to willing to get out there and do whatever it takes and we just didnt have enough.Scoring points hasnt been Oklahoma Citys problem in its back-to-back losses. The Thunder posted 108 points Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.However, just over a week after holding the Clippers to 83 points in a road win, Oklahoma allowed L.A. to come into their house and post 110 points.The Thunder know if they dont tighten up their defense, the Magic can do the same thing.Theyre a high-tempo team, Oladipo said of his former team. They have a lot of guys who can fill it up. They have a lot of guys who are talented. We have to do a great job of slowing them down. Their bench is really good as well so we have to be ready to play in all aspects of the game. Asics Uk Outlet . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Cheap Asics Shoes From Uk . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. http://www.cheapasicsuk.com/ . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Asics Shoes Uk Sale . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Asics Clearance Uk . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Albert Pujols, even at 36 years old, is still an RBI machine for the Los Angeles Angels.Pujols drove in four runs, Hector Santiago won his fifth consecutive start and the Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Monday night.Pujols drove in two with a bases-loaded single during a four-run first, then added RBI singles in the seventh and ninth innings. He leads the majors with 26 RBI in July, including 16 in his past eight games, and he has 76 this season despite a .254 average.Part of that is from hitting behind Mike Trout, Yunel Escobar and Kole Calhoun, all of whom entered Monday ranked among the top 40 major leaguers in on-base percentage.Any time youre hitting behind Mike, youre going to get your opportunities, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. This year, what Yunel and Kole have done has really paid off for Mike and Albert. Albert is a terrific RBI guy. He drove them in tonight.Albert makes adjustments better than any hitter Ive ever seen. There are little adjustments he makes. He knows what hes doing in the batters box when there are guys in scoring position. Today he used the middle of the field and right field. He did a great job.The Angels batted around in the first, which also included Daniel Navas sacrifice fly and Carlos Perezs RBI infield single with two outs.Santiago (9-4) is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA in July. He held the Royals to two runs on five hits with four walks and five strikeouts.Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer in the fourth for the only Royals runs. It was the sixth straight game the Royals have scored four or fewer runs.The Royals loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth but failed to score when Santiago struck out Kendrys Morales on three pitches.Ian Kennedy (6-9), who did not give up a home run for the first time in 10 starts, is 0-3 in five starts since a victory June 26. He allowed four runs on six hits, three walks and a hit batter in five-plus innings.The Royals did not have a baserunner against four relievers. Cam Bedroosian struck out Eric Hosmer, Morales and Perez on 13 pitches in the eighth inning.dddddddddddd. Bedrosian has not permitted a run in his past 22 games, covering 20 2/3 innings.The Royals have lost 14 of 20 July games to fall two games below .500.They still have confidence they can compete for a playoff spot and so do I, Royals manager Ned Yost said.DAVIS TRADE POSSIBLEWith the Yankees dealing closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, several contending clubs have reportedly talked to the Royals about the availability of Wade Davis, who has 21 saves in 23 chances with a 1.10 ERA. Davis is under contract through the 2017 season.I wouldnt classify or characterize any player as untouchable, Royals manager Dayton Moore said. I never have. We always evaluate somebodys level of interest and what their level of interest may mean to the improvement of our team as far as players that they would be willing to part with. Thats what you do. Thats what we continually do especially this time of year.Whether we make a move or not, we are evaluating the landscape, which potentially puts us in a better position this offseason to improve our roster.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: RHP Nick Tropeano, who has been diagnosed with a medium to high grade UCL right elbow tear, traveled to New York for a second opinion from Dr. David Altchek. ... Angels RHP Joe Smith was unavailable because of tightness in his back.Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (left hamstring strain) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Omaha.UP NEXTAngels: LHP Tyler Skaggs, who has not thrown in the majors since July 31, 2014 after elbow surgery and shoulder tendinitis, will start Tuesday. In his past two starts with Triple-A Salt Lake, he allowed no runs and two hits while striking out 26 in 12 2/3 innings.Royals: RHP Dillon Gee makes his first start against the Angels since April 11, 2014 while with the Mets. ' ' '