The Oklahoma City Thunder maintained their status as one of the league’s finest this season largely because of their unparalleled defensive prowess.
Beyond the leadership of superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who has been on the run as the top MVP candidate, the Oklahoma City Thunder are sitting atop the league standings right now thanks to their top-rated defense.
Per stats from the NBA.com, the Thunder are presenting a league-leading 104.5 defensive rating. From this, they are also holding down opposing teams to the lowest averages in points (104.9), field goal percentage (43.1%), and three-point efficiency (33.0%).
OKC’s lockdown stance is a sight to behold on a nightly basis, and Luguentz Dort takes pride in his impact, and he believes he should win the ultimate individual defensive honor.
Behind the OKC’s impenetrable defense, Lu Dort stands as the team’s main anchor.
Ever since joining OKC, Dort himself embraced the bold responsibility of handling the opponents’ top perimeter players. With his strong frame, physicality, and keen instincts, he established himself as an All-NBA premier defender.
Dort believes that he deserves to win the Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
“Honestly, the biggest goal is to go out there and perform every night for my teammates.
“But it will always be nice to get rewarded for the hard work that I do on the court, which would probably be Defensive Player of the Year or first team,” he said an interview for Sports Illustrated’s “Open Floor” podcast.
“If you ask me if I deserve it, I would say yes, just because of what I bring every night, all the matchups that I got to face every night. But all that would be a goal of mine.”
The case for Dort to claim the DPOY is relatively challenging in terms of the competition he is facing.
Victor Wembanyama was the favorite to win the honor before his season evening injury. The San Antonio Spurs phenom, despite noting that it’s not his main goal, was on his way to taking it as he is the current league leader in blocks (3.8) by considerable distance.
Wembanyama’s Defensive Player of the Year chances can significantly be altered because of his sudden season shutdown. Dyson Daniels is now one who could snatch the award as the Australian forward has been an absolute defensive menace in his first season for the Atlanta Hawks, registering 3.0 steals per contest.
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers are both strong contenders to win the award too.
Regardless if he’ll take home the DPOY hardware or not, Dort certainly deserves his flowers for his effect on Oklahoma City’s superb defensive identity.
