On Tuesday, NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner revealed November’s version of the 2022-23 Kia Defensive Player Ladder, itemizing off 10 gamers making the greatest impacts on protection throughout the NBA. Among these listed was Oklahoma City Thunder guard, Luguentz Dort.
Kia’s Defensive Player Ladder options Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetekounmpo, Boston’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, and Toronto’s OG Anunoby as the prime three defenders, and in that order.
After the prime three, there’s a listing of seven gamers listed in alphabetical order the place Dort’s identify is talked about alongside the likes of Bam Adebayo, Mikal Bridges, Evan Mobley, and extra.
According to Aschburner’s ladder, the cause Dort earned a spot on the listing is because of his unimaginable power and talent to deal with an opposition’s prime offensive menace and in flip, increase Oklahoma City’s protection. Indeed, the Thunder, who’re at present tied for the seventh-best defensive ranking in the league, have benefited tremendously from the 6-foot-4 guard’s presence on the ground.
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While he isn’t good by any stretch of the creativeness, the 220 lb. guard is robust sufficient to soak up contact on drives from even the strongest gamers in the NBA whereas being nimble sufficient and displaying the effort that’s essential to sustain with the faster, extra shifty ball-handlers throughout the league.
Dort, having fun with his fourth season in the NBA, is at present tied with Chris Paul for 1.7 steals per recreation, the Twelfth-best mark in the league. The Canadian guard can be in a four-way tie for seventh place in whole steals throughout the NBA with 19, a distinction he shares together with his compatriot and teammate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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