OKC Thunder: Celebrating all things Lu Dort on his 22nd birthday

OKC Thunder: Lessons inspired by Lu

14) Defense is art

Sometimes in basketball, being a great shooter is seen as more glamorous than being a great defender. Lu Dort makes us appreciate the work of defense.

15) Bet on yourself

When Dort was undrafted in 2019, he could’ve thrown the towel and said ‘you know what, this is not for me.’ And I’m sure glad he didn’t because that’s just not the way he rolls. He shows us that if you want something, believe that you have what it takes and go after it.

16) Mindset matters

From watching Dort play, it’s clear that when he steps onto the court, he believes he is capable of stopping the best of the best. And it’s not so much about technique but about his willingness to do so.

17) Never forget where you come from

One thing I respect about Dort is that he never forgets where he came from. He has often talked about being from Montreal, Canada, and his journey to the NBA. Even as he is living his dream in the NBA, he still remembers what it took to get here and the community that inspired him.

18) Have a winner’s mindset

Many players can attest to this but it’s amazing to see a young player like Dort say things like “I’m doing good, but I want to win.”

19) Never take anything for granted

From listening to his interviews, you always get the sense that he’s thankful for where he’s at and the opportunities he’s been given.

20) Listen and learn from people with experience

Last season, Chris Paul was a massive influence on Dort, teaching him on and off the court. It was nice to see him listening and taking about everything he learned which has helped him reap the rewards now.

21) Underdogs rise

This isn’t really a lesson, but I admire the underdog fight in Dort — one that resonates with not only his hometown but with the city of Oklahoma.

That chip on his shoulder mentality is captivating.

22) Be YOU

I know it might sound cliche, but it’s true — Dort didn’t come into the league trying to be like everyone else or stuffing the stat sheets and showing flashy plays. He’s just himself and a player with a skill set that many of us have never seen.

Wishing Lu Dort a very Happy Birthday!