After losing to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals a season ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder players learned a very succinct lesson: Everyone must be involved throughout the course of games, from role players to stars.

The Thunder know that gameplan must be put into place in the regular season so that it pays dividends in the playoffs.

“We know how important it is for everybody to be involved, not just at the start of the Finals or the playoffs but right around this time," Kevin Durant said. "We know that everybody is important."