OKC Thunder: Projecting the team’s top 6 scorers for 2020-21
Luguentz Dort
During the bubble Luguentz Dort really introduced himself to the world, as he showed off his insane defensive ability and flashed impressive two-way potential.
Dort averaged over 12 points a game in the playoffs, doubling his regular-season average, but is that who he really is, or was it an aberration?
Dort showed that he has the capabilities to be a 3-and-D wing during the playoffs.
In the regular season, he attempted just under three 3-pointers a game on barely below 30 percent. In the playoffs, Lu attempted over eight threes a game, mostly due to Houston letting him shoot, however, Dort was not deterred and had a breakout game making six three-pointers and scoring 30 points.
If Lu Dort’s game seven playoff performance is real, OKC has found a gem to help speed up their rebuild. This upcoming season will give Dort the chance to show what he really is.
Dort is already a very good defender as we all know, but the OKC Thunder want to find out if there is more to the 21-year-old’s game.
He is not pedestrian on offense by any means, as he averaged almost seven points a night in only 36 games played. That’s even more impressive considering his circumstances of being a two-way player who didn’t practice with the team for most of the season.
Dort’s jump shooting numbers are not the prettiest, but he has shown some signs that he can score the ball in spite of that.
He shot very well at the rim, shooting 60 percent from very close to the basket. Most of his attempts come from 3-point range, or close to the rim, so the fact that he is already above proficient at the rim is a good sign.
His role in the Thunder’s offense this past season was to set screens, cut to the basket, and shoot corner 3s. If he is to develop his offensive game his role will have to expand, he will have to handle the ball more and shoot from all around the perimeter.
Dort will be given plenty of chances to shoot and work on his game. If he has an expanded offensive role and has become a more consistent jump shooter to go along with his excellent shooting near the basket Dort could average at least 12 points a game.