Just a couple minutes before tip-off and Seattle's ready to take the floor. It's pretty much a circus here with ESPN cameras all over the place, including inside the Sonics locker room getting shots of Kevin Durant, Chris Wilcox, Wally Szczerbiak and others.

I talked to Durant for a few minutes. He says he's a little nervous, but that he's like that before every game, and that he expects the butterflies to dissipate once the game starts.

Durant could be matched up against Carmelo Anthony at times. He knows it's a challenging matchup, but he has seen him before during the Team USA trials this summer in Las Vegas.

"It’s going to be tough," he said. "He’s a quick defender. Very long, and very athletic. It’s going to be tough. But that’s how every game in this league is going to be."

Listen to the Kevin Durant conversation here.

As far as injuries, Kurt Thomas (right hamstring) and Robert Swift (right knee) will not play tonight. Thomas is questionable for Thursday's home opener against Phoenix, and Swift is doubtful.

With the two centers out Seattle might have to play small, with Jeff Green or perhaps Wally Szczerbiak seeing some time at power forward. Also expect Johan Petro to get a look at power forward tonight.

Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo talked about the tough stretch of games to begin the season with two teams that could go deep in the Western Conference playoffs in Denver and Phoenix.

“It’s not the worst," Carlesimo said. "I haven’t looked at other people’s (schedule) but it’s about as bad of an opening as you could have. I mean they are two playoff teams, two running teams, and two veteran teams for the most part. Teams that have been in tact and their coaching staff’s are in tact, so no, it’s not real good.
“But, you know, you’ve got to play them anyhow. And sometimes playing people early is better than getting them later on when they settle in.”

Listen to the full Carlesimo conversation here.

That's it for now. I'll have more stuff during the game.