USA - Russ is back

OKLAHOMA CITY (NBA) - There aren't many basketball players who possess the energy, explosiveness and confidence of Russell Westbrook, something the California native showed during his college days at UCLA, and continues to demonstrate as a professional with  the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A torn meniscus he suffered during the 2012-13 playoffs ruined the Thunder's chances of making a second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.

Expected to miss the first few weeks of the new season, Westbrook has returned ahead of schedule.

In his first game back against the Phoenix Suns over the weekend, he missed some shots but looked as powerful as ever.

"I was comfortable," he said.

"Very comfortable. I'm making any move I want.

"I missed some easy ones that I usually make, but that will come."

Westbrook, who turns 25 on 12 November, had 21 points against the Suns but also dished out seven assists and defended like a tiger.

The Thunder coach, Scott Brooks, played Westbrook 33 minutes.

"It could be better. It was alright," Westbrook said.

"But that's expected. I didn't expect to come back and be bionic man."

Teammate Kevin Durant is ecstatic to have Westbrook back on the floor.

"Russ is Russell Westbrook, a three-time All-Star, 23-5-7 the last three years so you've got to respect it," Durant said.

"He just made plays.

"We trust him in the pick-and-roll.

"Coach drew up some great plays for us and the best thing I thought about it was it wasn't just isos (isolations)."

Westbrook, a World and Olympic champion with the USA, won't be the only NBA All-Star to see how the season goes before deciding if he is able to go on international duty next summer at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls missed the entire 2012-13 campaign while recovering from a serious knee operation but is playing again.

Both guards will be candidates for the USA squad that competes in Spain (30 August-14 September 2014).

Durant, meanwhile, hasn't missed a beat since the end of last season.

The MVP of the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and one of America's best players at the London Olympics, he is averaging 29.3 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Thunder after three games.

He has had a big change off the court.

Over the summer, Durant got engaged to Monica Wright, a star with the Minnesota Lynx.

Wright was among the players invited to last month's USA training camp with coach Geno Auriemma but had to pass on the opportunity because it was held during the WNBA Finals.

She helped the Lynx sweep the Atlanta Dream in three games.

FIBA