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OAKLAND, Calif. -- Kevin Durant took a moments break from his own shooting work and glimpsed over at the adjoining court as Stephen Curry ran around the 3-point arc launching long jumpers as part of his regular post-practice routine.Two of the brightest young faces of the NBA teamed up for the first time together Tuesday night, when the Golden State Warriors began another championship quest with huge expectations and Durant the new star in the middle of it all.KD knew it was going to be a little strange -- and he wasnt talking about his new No. 35 uniform or debut with the Warriors this time. When he looked to the opposite bench Tuesday night, Tim Duncan wouldnt be there . Not for tipoff at midcourt, either.He was like a security blanket for everybody. Even if things went awry, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. He was like the center of the universe and everybody knew how to act around that. With that pivotal guy gone, well have to wait and see who accepts that role.When the Lakers come to town, no Kobe. Kevin Garnett is long gone, too.Three of the leagues best over recent decades retired after last season, and now Durant, LeBron James, two-time reigning MVP Curry, Russell Westbrook, two-time defending Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard and others must continue to carry the NBA going forward.Leonard and San Antonio opened the season without Duncan against the defending Western Conference champions at sold-out Oracle Arena.Its going to be weird not seeing him, KG, Kobe out there on the court -- pioneers of my era of basketball, I guess, Durant said after Tuesdays shootaround. His basketball spirit always looms over top of the Spurs. His DNA is always engrained in that culture. You can appreciate what hes done, but its definitely going to be weird not seeing 21 on the court for them.Durant, who will face his former Oklahoma City team next week, couldnt wait to finally get going in games that matter. He and the Thunder beat the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals before squandering a 3-1 lead to the Warriors in the West finals.This summer, Durant shined while playing at Oracle with the U.S. team ahead of the Rio Olympics. He did so again for his preseason home debut against the Clippers on Oct. 4.I dont really think of it as an opening moment, Durant said. Its just another game to me. Its easy for me to approach it that way if its just another chance to step between the lines and do what I love. Not put too much pressure on myself to go out there and be great. I put the work in, I prepared the right way. Ill let that stuff take over. Ive got to get out of my own mind and just play, and thats what Ive been doing.Golden State dealt with its own disappointment in giving up a 3-1 advantage in the finals and losing Game 7 at home against the Cavaliers .Not that Curry is afraid to talk about that disappointment.In fact, on Tuesday morning he discussed his new Under Armour advertisement that faces head-on the missed championship -- thats fresh, Curry notes in the video.It goes on with: 73-9. ... Missed championship. ... Make That Old.The first unanimous MVP selection last season, Curry said he had a say in the theme focused on pushing on from defeat because theres no perfect journey in any situation, so you try to sweep stuff under the rug or try to paint a picture thats not 100 percent accurate, I think its doing whoevers following our journey a disservice.Theres a powerful story in it, a relevancy to it, whats going on right now, Curry said. A look into the mindset I have going into this year ... to see certain chapters weve gone through -- good and bad. With every opportunity you have to look forward about what youre going to do next. Its pretty empowering. Im excited about the opportunity thats in front of me individually and us as a team. Wholesale Custom Cubs Shirts . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Cheap Custom Cubs Jersey .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. http://www.customcubsjersey.com/custom-kosuke-fukudome-jersey-large-80n.html . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Ron Santo Jersey Large . The Olympic champion curler and TSN curling analyst immediately went online to look at the Halls long list of honoured members. Thats when the enormity of the honour sunk in. Andre Dawson Jersey Large . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. DARLINGTON, S.C. --?Ryan Newman, who sits seven points behind Jamie McMurray for the final provisional spot in the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup, could find himself more points down when the regular-season finale goes green Saturday night at Richmond.The eighth-place car of Newman and the third-place car of Kyle Larson both failed postrace measurements following the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.NASCAR has typically penalized teams 10 to 15 points for failing the inspection station that measures tire camber, axle housing, alignment, rocker panels and the main frame rail. NASCAR woont specify where exactly they failed until they announce penalties.ddddddddddddPenalties are typically announced Wednesday, but with this being the final week of the regular season, it could announce a penalty Tuesday to give more opportunity for any possible appeals.The Richard Childress Racing team of Newman was penalized 10 points earlier this year for illegal brackets. NASCAR could escalate the penalty from Darlington because of the previous infraction. ' ' '