OKC Thunder: Luguentz Dort cements position among NBA elite defenders

As the OKC Thunder look toward the future this season is all about development. Entering the 2020-21 campaign Thunder Nation knew there would likely be more losses than wins. By the same token, new head coach Mark Daigneault and Thunder VP Sam Presti will utilize this campaign to develop the young core and assess the talent on the roster.

‘Resiliency’ has been the catchphrase most often uttered to describe this year’s team and mission. Yet, the established Thunder culture and identity has played an equally integral role and is evident particularly among the five youngsters who returned to the club this year.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the ‘untouchable’ cornerstone. However, Darius Bazley, Hamidou Diallo, Luguentz Dort, and Isaiah Roby have all embraced the opportunity to cement and define their individual roles within the future core.

Through 28 games SGA and Diallo have performed well enough to enter the conversation for Most Improved and Sixth Man of the Year award conversations. However, it’s Lu Dort who earns is the first Thunder youngster to get National attention as a contender for an individual award.

OKC Thunder, Luguentz Dort cited among best NBA defensive talents

While Sam Presti is often credited for drafting a trio of future Most Valuable Players his prowess at spotting talent extends beyond top draft selections. When Dort wasn’t selected in the 2019 draft Presti quickly jumped on signing him to a two-way contract.

Dort appeared in seven games early in the season with the varsity team then spent time with the OKC Blue. When injuries struck he was recalled and joined the starting rotation in his second game back. By the time Terrance Ferguson returned eight games later Dort had cemented his spot in the starting rotation.

The Arizona State alum combined his work ethic and high I.Q. starting in 21 games prior to the season suspending. During this period the Thunder amassed a 16-5 record. He averaged 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.8 steals. His offense wasn’t the priority given Chris Paul, SGA, and Danilo Gallinari’s presence.

Just prior to the season resuming in Orlando, the Thunder converted Dort to a four-year full contract for an absurd $5.4 million. In hindsight, the minimum deal could well end up being the best value for talent contract in the NBA.

The impression Dort made in the bubble earned him high praise particularly for his defense on James Harden. In the final game of the postseason, Dort also rose to the challenge offensively. Houston targeted him presuming he would shrink in the spotlight. Instead, he scored 30 points and hit six 3-pointers.

In the offseason, Dort worked on improving his 3-point shot and offensive versatility and returned this year knowing he’d need to deliver on both sides of the court. His dedication is paying dividends

Through his 27 appearances this season, he’s stepped up meeting larger expectations averaging 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and improved in his shooting splits from the field and perimeter.  Although his 3-point shot is still a work in progress when the lights shine brightest he tends to deliver.

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Yet, it’s defense that remains his calling card and NBA analysts are taking note. Given the fact Dort draws the most difficult defensive assignment it’s no surprise he ranks among the league leaders in terms of the number of 3-point shots he is called upon to defend. He ranks in the top four of perimeter shots defended each game (6.3).

The NBA released the early leaders for Defensive Player of the Year. Lu Dort made the top-5 list:

Rudy Gobert likely earns the top spot based on how well the Utah Jazz are performing this season. The big man is the leader of the Jazz defense grabbing 13.4 rebounds (3.5 offensive boards) and blocking 2.7 shots per game. Myles Turner is arguably making a bigger impact on the Pacers albeit with fewer boards (6.6) but leads the NBA in blocks per game with 3.5 and adds 1.1 steals.

Anthony Davis wouldn’t even need to submit his own stats to make the case to win the award. Rather, a peek at how the Lakers performed in recent games without him provides all the necessary evidence.

The Lakers own the top-rated defense (105.2) however AD is dealing with Achilles tendinosis and a calf injury that removed him from recent games. He tried to play through it in Detroit missed the two games versus the Thunder, returned to face the Grizzlies, and then had to leave the match versus the Nuggets after a little over 14 minutes. In four of those five games, the Lakers trailed by double-digits at one point in the match.

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And while it might not seem like a big drop in this same time period the Lakers drop to seventh defensively and their third-rated perimeter defense dropped to 12th which becomes more relevant considering they faced the 27th ranked perimeter shooting team (Thunder) twice in those five games.

The eye test perhaps offers the best evidence for Ben Simmons and Lu Dort who both draw the hardest defensive assignments and are the key cogs to their team’s defense.

Simmons and Dort remind me of Kawhi Leonard who often didn’t have great individual numbers or top defensive statistics but could be relied on in an important game to shut down a player or make that one essential stop at game end.

Similarly, facing the best talents skews their numbers in comparison to other players who defend less potent talents.

Ultimately, it’s unlikely Dort will be among the three players selected as finalists to win the Defensive Player of the Year at season end. However, this early accolade bodes well for him to earn his first All-Defense first team nod. And of course, there is always the future when he may well be the player who hoists the DPoY award.