Lu Dort has made one of many largest impacts for the Oklahoma City Thunder since launching their “rebuild” in 2019-20, which ended up a playoff season. Dort was one of many greater storylines for the season, as his affect was felt immensely as an undrafted rookie.
Dort began 28 of his 36 video games performed in his rookie season. In that season, Dort wasn’t all that environment friendly on offense, however his defensive affect was felt extremely.
Since then, Dort has taken leaps year-by-year on each side of the ball. Assuming he’ll proceed to enhance, it ought to shock nobody to see Dort land himself a couple of All-Defensive Team nods.
He’s additionally nice mates with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the star participant for the Thunder, so Dort routinely earns himself brownie factors.
Again, Dort’s scoring effectivity has improved, however he’s additionally taken a ten.4 factors per recreation soar. So, effectivity and quantity each took a leap, and his protection has solely sharpened himself.
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The query of Dort’s safety within the beginning lineup doesn’t come from his incapability to proceed to progress, however as a result of the Thunder might be able to get loads of expertise. Jalen Williams is a participant that might ultimately give Dort a run for his beginning job.
Williams and Aleksej Pokusevski are two gamers that, in the event that they hit their ceiling rapidly, could make Dort earn his rights to maintain his beginning job. Williams suits the mould of an ideal position participant alongside the beginning lineup, which is why he has the potential to be a terrific sixth man for the Thunder. As all Thunder followers know, Pokusevski has nice potential, and if he scratches the floor of the potential he has, he can simply be a starter stage participant.
Lastly, there’s Tre Mann who everyone knows is an absolute bucket. Mann is a seamless bench participant, and does nice as a motor for the bench like Lou Williams was for the Clippers.
Not to say, there’s nonetheless loads of draft picks to come back in. But for now, the beginning spot is Dort’s.
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