OKC Thunder: Luguentz Dort could have starring role on Team Canada

This past weekend fans got some insight into players’ minds in terms of locations they like to play and how home teams can affect decisions. The OKC Thunder witnessed it on Sunday. While the game occurred in Tampa Bay that’s just a temporary site for the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors are the home team for two of the Thunder core youngsters. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander grew up just outside Toronto in Hamilton.  The other Canadian on the Thunder is Luguentz Dort who grew up in Montreal, Quebec.

History was made during the game as Dort joined fellow Montrealers, Chris Boucher, and Khem Birch. The trio represented a first in NBA history with three players from Montreal starting in an NBA game.

With only one Canadian team the entire country supports the Raptors and as such, virtually every Canadian considers Toronto their home team. For American-born players there are 29 teams spread out from coast to coast so even if there isn’t a team located in their hometown or close by they typically have one nearby that they associate as their home team.

OKC Thunder defensive specialist Dort would get a staring role on Team Canada

Both SGA and Dort have performed well facing the Raptors and each had designs on representing the National Team at the qualifying tournament and the Olympics.

Canada is one of four countries that will host an Olympic qualifying tournament. Six countries will attend each event with the winner from each securing one of the final four openings. The event runs from June 29th through July 4th in Victoria B.C.

The countries participating in the Canadian event are Canada, Greece, and China on the one side versus Uruguay, Czech Republic, and Turkey on the other. Only the winner will nab an Olympic berth. The event occurs in Victoria, British Columbia from June 29th to July 4th.

Given the NBA playoffs will run up to July 22nd that means some players won’t be able to be involved with their national teams in the qualifying tournaments. For example, if the Bucks make a deep run that would mean Giannis Antetokounmpo wouldn’t be available for Greece which could give Canada an edge since Greece is in their pool.

Following the OKC Thunder game on Sunday, Lu Dort stated he’d like to “try out” for the team. I have to admit I laughed at his humility especially considering the head coach of the Canadain team is Nick Nurse.

While Nurse spent more time as the offensive assistant coach before landing the head coaching job his preference is for defensive players.  Players who cite Toronto as a destination they earmark to join cite two factors that draw them. First, the development system is strong, and second, as long as you play tough defense, Nurse gives you offensive freedom.

In theory, that sounds wonderful for players who often feel they aren’t afforded that much leeway on offense. However, the caveat is unless the player consistently delivers effort and smarts on defense — they won’t hit the court.

If you witnessed the Raptors title run you’ll know how impactful Nurse’s defensive schemes were to the championship.

"What we’ve learned from a pulsating Eastern Conference finals is that Nurse, the offensive innovator, turned the series on its ear with his defensive adjustments. The Bucks ended up scoring just 0.96 points per possession after a made basket in the series, well below their regular-season average of 1.11, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, an unstoppable force in the previous round against Boston, was stymied by a wall of Raptors defenders, beginning with the smaller Leonard, Lowry and Green, who absorbed the initial contact from the 7-footer.'”"

Dort in the narrator’s humble opinion wouldn’t just make the team, Nurse would make him the focus of Canada’s defense.

In fact, the Raptors and Team Canada coach was already waxing poetic about the Thunder defensive specialist even prior to the match last Sunday in Tampa Bay.

"“I think you cover a good portion of it with your effort, desire, toughness, anticipation,” said Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, when speaking about what makes Dort so great as a perimeter defender. “Before a pass is even thrown or a ball is even dribbled, he’s got that. Then I would say there is some physical strength that always plays a role. If you can move your feet and use your body and forearms and things like that to physically control the situation, that always helps too. And he can certainly do that."

And, with Jamal Murray now out due to tearing his ACL it’s a good bet if Gilgeous-Alexander is still intent on playing Dort and SGA could be the starting backcourt.

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R.J. Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Shai’s cousin), Chris Boucher have all declared their intentions. Others like Kelly Olynyk, Tristan Thompson, Khem Birch, Dwight Powell, and Cory Joseph have represented the team in non-Olympic years so will undoubtedly get some leeway.

One player who participated in the past but hasn’t participated recently is Andrew Wiggins.

Ultimately, the Canadians could mount a strong team and potentially vie for a medal. But while Lu made it sound like he’d need to earn his spot on the team the reality is Nurse is probably already dreaming up special defensive sequences for the team knowing Lu wants to play.