No one expected the Oklahoma City Thunder to be a good team in a competitive Western Conference last season. The departure of Russell Westbrook and Paul George to the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers via trades was supposed to be the signal that a rebuild was on its way during the 2019-20 season.
Then something amazing happened.
A lot of people hastily concluded that OKC was going to be one of the worst teams in the league. That forecast never came to reality as the addition of Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, Danilo Gallinari, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ensured that the Thunder’s chances would stay alive no matter what.
Instead of languishing at the bottom, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished the regular season with a 44-28 record, making them worthy of the fifth spot in the Western Conference. OKC’s surprising run can be attributed to Paul’s leadership, Schroder’s emergence as an amazing talent off the bench, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive development. This triumvirate of guards helped lead the Thunder to overcome the odds as the season progressed.
OKC continued to play hard in the bubble and into the playoffs. Even though they faced James Harden and the Houston Rockets in the first round, the team managed to give a good fight for the whole series. Although they lost to Paul’s old squad in seven games, everyone was still on a high after witnessing how the Thunder exceeded everyone’s expectations.
One of the main reasons why the Thunder performed well in the bubble was because of Luguentz Dort. Although he’s not as known as some of OKC’s other young stars, his contribution to the team’s playoff push can’t be denied. The same goes for his card value too. That’s why fans should take notice and learn why Dort is a good player to invest in.
Dort’s defensive potential is very promising
If you take a look at the Thunder’s series against the Houston Rockets, you would notice James Harden’s offense was effectively limited in select games. You have Luguentz Dort to thank for that.
OKC’s young star possesses a hefty 215lb body inside a 6”3’ frame, making him a formidable threat on the defensive side of the court. Dort’s physique, coupled with his tenacity and basketball IQ, allows him to defend guards, wings, and even players larger than him.
Dort’s defensive prowess is very evident in games against the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, where he was assigned to defend premier guards like Zach Lavine and Donovan Mitchell. The second-year player’s aggressive defense gave OKC a chance to turn his contribution into offensive opportunities on the other end of the court.
If Dort continues to improve this aspect of his game, OKC has a better chance of containing the opposing squad’s best players. When this happens, the Thunder will string up a series of wins and surprise everyone again this season.
His offense is taking everyone by surprise
During OKC’s game seven against Houston in the first round of the playoffs, Dort scored 30 points as the Thunder lost the series. While his team fell out of contention, he set the record for scoring the most points in a game seven by a player 21 years old or younger. Two other players have accomplished that feat before – LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
To be included in the company of these two legends is certainly a feather in Dort’s cap. While that may be great, he hasn’t stopped improving his offensive game. From a measly 6.8 points a night, OKC’s young star has raised his scoring average to 12.8. He’s also connecting 40% of his 5.6 three-point attempts per contest, making him a threat from beyond the arc.
Dort’s offensive development, if done correctly and consistently, bodes well for the Thunder. This means he can become a bona fide 3-D wing to complement Gilgeous-Alexander as OKC’s primary point guard. If he accomplishes this feat, Dort’s demand in the card market will shoot up.
Dort’s ceiling is higher than you think
Keep in mind that Luguentz Dort is currently 21 years and he has enough time to reach his ceiling. The key to Dort’s development is to optimize his defensive skillset and blend it well with his flourishing offensive talent. If done properly, the Oklahoma City Thunder will gain a certified two-way star that can contribute on both ends of the floor. He’ll also complement OKC’s primary cornerstone, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to form a dangerous backcourt partnership.
While Luguentz Dort isn’t a hot commodity in the card market right now, things may change pretty soon if OKC manages to replicate their success last season. When that happens, Dort’s rookie cards will be more in demand than what it is right now. Better get some now before his value rises up.
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