Oklahoma City is home to one of the best outside defenders in the league, and he could finally break through next season.
Lu Dort has been known for his perimeter defense since his rookie season, but he hasn’t quite got the accolades to back it up. However, the Thunder’s rise to contention could be what finally pushes him over the top.
Last season, Dort was the first player to be voted off the All-Defensive Team ballot, joining Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the top five snubbed. While the Thunder could have had three players on a hypothetical third team, Dort failed to be named to the top 10 defensemen.
In his five seasons, Dort has only been left out of All-Defensive voting in 2019-20 and 2021-22 when he missed significant time. While he has always been in the conversation, the Thunder’s status as a top-five defense is crucial to his chances.
Dort could also see his chances of standing out by being compared to one of his new teammates. Last season, Alex Caruso made the All-Defensive Team for the second straight season.
Considering the love Caruso has garnered for his defensive effort and ability over the past two seasons, Dort has a clear path to his first All-Defensive honors if he can defend at the same level as Caruso.
Dort may not have the same raw numbers as Caruso in terms of blocks or steals, but his defense against stars like Brandon Ingram and Luka Doncic has been essential to the Thunder’s run to the playoffs. However, the addition of Caruso could hurt Dort and the Thunder’s chances of having an All-Defensive selection. Given that three Thunder players finished just outside the lineup last season, the addition of Caruso could cause voters to split the vote among Oklahoma City’s top defenders.
While the new All-Defensive teams without positions weren’t very big-friendly last season, the lack of a perimeter voting requirement could seal Dort’s hopes. But if he can have another impressive season and the Thunder can maintain their spot atop the West Division, Dort will be hard to keep off the All-Defensive ballot.
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