As a rookie, Dort saw limited minutes but brought relentless energy whenever he stepped on the court. He regularly took on the challenge of guarding the opposing team’s best scorer, unafraid of any matchup. While his offense remained raw, his defense and competitive fire were evident from the start.
Over the next couple of seasons, Dort refined his defensive skills and emerged as the clear-cut starting shooting guard in OKC.
His strength and 6’3″ (1.90m), 215-pound (97kg) frame allow him to bump cutters, body bigger offensive players, and fight through screens. He has also become adept at using his 7’0″ (2.13m) wingspan to play the passing lanes for steals and deflections.
Smothering Brandon Ingram And Luka Doncic In 2024 Playoffs
Dort has taken his defensive performances to another level in the 2024 playoffs.
In the first round against Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans, he relentlessly hounded Ingram everywhere on the court. Over the four-game sweep, a visibly frustrated Ingram shot a paltry 34.5% from the field and 25% from three while averaging just 14.3 points per game.
Dort carried that energy and effort into the second-round matchup with Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
The superstar Doncic presented an even tougher cover thanks to his combination of size, strength, ball-handling wizardry, and shot-making polish. Yet once again, Dort was up for the challenge.
In Game 1, Doncic labored his way to 19 points on 6-19 shooting and 1-8 from downtown as the Thunder cruised to a 117-95 victory. Dort chased Doncic around screens all night, cut off his driving angles, and contested every pull-up jumper.
His active hands also helped force Doncic into an uncharacteristic 5 turnovers.
Not Just Surviving, But Thriving Defensively In Playoffs
Oftentimes, younger teams struggle to maintain defensive intensity amid the heightened competition and scrutiny of the postseason. However, the Thunder have continued thriving on that end, spearheaded by Dort‘s relentlessness. Through 5 playoff games, they lead all postseason teams by allowing just 90.6 points per contest.
Dort sets the tone with his tenacity and motors non-stop in both transition and halfcourt defense. His ability to erase opponents’ top offensive options eases the burden on his teammates and allows them to play more aggressively. The team’s length and activity also generate turnovers leading to easy transition buckets.
Offensive Growth Supporting Two-Way Impact
As integral as Dort has become defensively, his offensive growth has also boosted the Thunder this season. While he will likely never develop into a primary scoring option, he has gone from offensive liability to a legitimate two-way threat.
Spot-Up Shooting Opens Driving Lanes
Most notably, Dort has made major strides as a spot-up shooter and floor spacer. After shooting just 33.2% on catch-and-shoot 3’s last season, he bumped that up to a very respectable 37.9% this season. Defenders now have to closely contest his shot rather than sagging into the paint.
Smarter Drives And Cuts
In addition to spotting up more effectively, Dort has contributed well as a cutter and driving to the basket. He remains best in straight-line drives rather than breaking defenders down off the dribble. However, he has gotten smarter about picking his spots, attacking closeouts and seams in the defense rather than over-dribbling into tough shots.
Sources:
eu.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2024/05/08/thunder-mavericks-lu-dort-defended-luka-doncic-nba-playoffs-game-1-okc-vs-dallas/73610014007/
citisportsonline.com/2024/05/08/nba-playoffs-okc-thunder-stifles-luka-doncic-to-win-game-one/
