OKC Thunder two-way contracted player Luguentz Dort turns 21 capping a magical year for the Canadian youngster.
As the OKC Thunder fans and players continue to be homebound and practicing safe distancing we near the six-week mark since games were suspended.
The biggest change clearly is not conducting our daily routine of being out and about and intermingling with our friends or attending public events.
This past weekend reminded of how these times affect our yearly, monthly and weekly calendars. Special events typically celebrated have to be altered and undertaken in a more subdued setting with the immediate family we live with.
That’s what OKC Thunder starting small forward Luguentz Dort was faced with as he turned 21 this past weekend.
Recalling that birthday it is a bit of a right of passage. The age most of us feel earmarks a full-on entry into adulthood as that is the age when you can legally drink in every State.
Not that drinking alcohol is necessarily the main focus, more so the fact people can legally do so ties into that chronological marker.
In the Canadian’s case and with him being an athlete it’s likely way down on his list too, but the point is he hit this milestone during the lockdown meaning any celebration or festivities were most likely subdued and undertaken in a small gathering.
It’s been a remarkable season for the youngster who went undrafted last summer but was picked up by the OKC Thunder on draft night to fill a two-way contract position. Dort impressed in his stints with the G-League affiliate OKC Blue and again in his minutes with the varsity team.
Between injuries to the core, Terrance Ferguson dealing with a tough season both on and off the court and the need for a defensive stopper in the rotation Dort ascended.
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Lu Dort is the perfect example of being in the right place at the right time and then taking advantage of an opportunity. Forget the adage, next man up – Dort didn’t just step up to fill in he made such a definitive impression on bench boss Billy Donovan the role of starter became his.
Back in the preseason, Donovan made it clear Terrance Ferguson owned the starting small forward position. And, at the time Dort filled in there was still a belief it was an interim role. But again, Dort performed to such levels shutting down opponent All-Stars it became clear it would take Ferguson raising his level of play to get the spot back.
The combination of Ferguson failing to impress even as a reserve and Dort’s continued ascendance only leaves one question left to be answered – when precisely is Sam Presti going to extend a full contract to Luguentz Dort?
Maybe that will be Dort’s birthday present from the Thunder.
With that, the team at Thunderous Intentions extends a belated Happy 21st Birthday wish to Dort and are excited to see what the year ahead offers for the young rising star.