WINNIPEG -- Hes certainly not what you would call reed thin but a trimmer Dustin Byfuglien says hes ready to do his part to make the Winnipeg Jets a playoff team. Jerseys For Sale Outlet . The big blue-liner is a man of few words and shrugged off any suggestion he had worked a lot harder to get in shape. "I was on the ice a little bit more, doing what I had to do to come to camp ready to go," he said as Jets training camp opened this week. "When I was on the ice I just did a little bit more skating ... working on the edges and the stick handling and puck movement, just a little bit more than I used to do." At six foot five and a listed weight of 265 pounds, Byfuglien has a booming shot and is the kind of impact player that can make or break the teams playoff hopes. Hes part of a core group of players the Jets have kept together as they prepare for a full season in a new division and a new conference. Byfuglien believes a strong foundation is key for the team to succeed. "Its big, I mean you look at Chicago,`he said. "Theyve kept their core together for a long time." Byfuglien has experience in the Windy City, winning a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010. He was drafted by Chicago in 2003 and was dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers in June 2010, the year before they moved to Winnipeg. Byfuglien was a defenceman when drafted but the Blackhawks tried to turn him into a forward. He moved back to defence with the Thrashers and has spent most of his time with the Jets in that role. In 2011-12, he was the second highest-scoring defenceman in the NHL with 53 points in just 66 games. Last season he came in at No. 11 on the list with 28 points in 43 games. He was also one of four Jets invited to the U.S. Olympic hockey orientation camp this year in advance of the Sochi Olympics. Coach Claude Noel said he`d like to see a little more consistency from Byfuglien, although he adds that hes not the only player who needs to work on that aspect of the game. Byfuglien said he understands and that hes ready to work hard to be at his best in every game. "Same as every year," he said. "Try to be at the top. Try to be the best player I can be and try to take over games." Few players have the ability to take control of the play the way Byfuglien can. He can use his size to great advantage and has the versatility and scoring touch to make a big difference. "When hes on top of his game hes one of the best in the league," said fellow defenceman Zach Bogosian. "Hes a very special player." Last year there was the pre-season distraction of an impaired boating charge in his home state of Minnesota on top of an abbreviated camp and lockout-shortened season. Byfuglien said its nice not to have any distractions this season. "Absolutely. Things happen and youve got to deal with it." He added that there is really only one formula for success this season if the Jets want to make the playoffs -- something the franchise managed only once in 2007 in Atlanta. "All 20 guys playing every night and battling and knowing whats at stake and knowing that all we want to do is make that first playoff round, and it all sets itself up from there." Jerseys For Sale . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. Discount Jerseys For Sale . Founding members of the Genie Army, a group of Eugenie Bouchard supporters who cheered for the rising tennis star during the Australian Open in January, will be in the city for the Rogers Cup, beginning this weekend. https://www.jerseysforsalechina.com/ . Thats what he did over the past 2 1/2 years with the Washington Wizards. Wittmans approach helped turn the Wizards from pushover to playoff winners.OKLAHOMA CITY - Kevin Durant is taking nothing for granted these days.The reigning MVP missed the first 17 games this season with a broken bone in his right foot, and then played three road games before making his home debut Tuesday night. He got a rousing welcome back from the crowd, and scored 23 points to help the Thunder to a 114-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.Just to play here is a blessing, he said. Ive been saying that for a while, but to be out for so long and finally get a chance to play in front of our home crowd — I felt good getting my name called in the starting lineup.Durant was 7 for 11 from the field and 8 for 8 at the line. He also had nine rebounds and seven assists in 29 minutes.Russell Westbrook scored 28 points for the Thunder, who have won five of six after starting the season with a 3-12 record.Were still trying to work some things out, Durant said. You know, Im sure a lot of people are expecting us to be back to playoff-type of basketball right now, but were just like any other team, just trying to continue to just build and keep getting better.O.J. Mayo had 18 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 17 for the Bucks, who have lost five of six.We let those guys get in the lane, get in our paint, and we fouled a lot tonight, Mayo said.Durant missed his first two shots, but drained his third, a 3-pointer with 8:08 left in the first quarter. He took a break after scoring seven points in the first 4:51.Westbrooks powerful one-handed putback on a missed 3-pointer by Reggie Jackson put the Thunder up 61-52 at halftime. Oklahoma City shot 60 per cent in the second quarter after a sluggish first.Durant gave the fans another thrill early in the fourth quarter. He pulled in a defensive rebound, brought the ball up court and then used a pick by Kendrick Perkins to get free for an easy two-handed slam that gave the Thunder a 93-82 lead.Durant added a jumperr and a no-look bounce pass to Serge Ibaka for a dunk that gave the Thunder a 103-88 lead. Stitched Jerseys For Sale. Durant left for good with 3:36 remaining and the Thunder holding a 109-90 lead.Hes getting back into rhythm, Westbrook said. Hes getting back in the swing of things.TIP-INSThunder: Oklahoma City was called for a clear path foul after Durant threw a poor pass that was intercepted, and Anthony Morrow had to foul to prevent an easy hoop in the closing seconds of the first quarter. ... Perkins was issued a technical foul with 8:56 left in the second quarter.Bucks: Milwaukee shot 52 per cent in the first quarter to take a 31-26 lead, but shot 36 per cent the rest of the game. ... G Brandon Knight, the Bucks leading scorer for the season with nearly 18 points per game, finished with nine points on 2-for-10 shooting.FINDING THE GROOVEOklahoma City scored a season-high 114 points and shot better than 50 per cent from the field for just the second time this season. Oklahoma City scored at least 100 points for the fourth time in five games after scoring 100 or more just four times in its first 16.FALLING APARTThe Bucks have allowed at least 107 points in four of their past five games. Their opponent shot at least 50 per cent in all four of those games, all losses.We are a young team, so we are going to make mistakes, and make more mistakes the next game, coach Jason Kidd said. We just have to learn from them and correct them. We have to see them before they happen so that we can help one another.QUOTE OF THE NIGHTI just try to feel the game out. Im not trying to worry about doing so much in so little time, I guess, and the last few games, Im just going out there and playing, and whatever happens happens. — Durant.UP NEXTBucks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.Thunder: Host Cleveland on Thursday.___Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP ' ' '