Whenever a star player approaches the scorer’s table, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault often gestures toward his bench. He asks Lu Dort to check the scorer’s table as well.
“I noticed coach was doing that as a tactic just to get into their heads,” Dort told Sportskeeda.
The reason? Dort has become one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, which often involves defending the team’s best scorers.
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This season, alone, tracking data shows that Dort held the NBA’s top stars to ineffective performances, including Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (9 of 24), Denver’s Jamal Murray (10 of 25), Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell (6 of 18), DeMar DeRozan of Chicago (8 of 20) and Trae Young of Atlanta (4 of 15).
No wonder Daigneault often sees the opponent’s best player display a worried look once Sleeps approaches the scorer’s table.
“The star player looks at me like, ‘Come on man,’” Daigneault said. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, it happens.’ For me, that’s the mark of a great defender. He has the respect of his peers.
Dort doesn’t really have the respect of the general public, however.
Dort has earned enough respect from his peers since last season that most of them rank him as the NBA’s second-best defender behind Jrue Holiday, according to The Athletic’s player poll. He did not receive the same respect from some members of the media, who voted for the NBA’s defensive teams.
Dort expressed more interest in whether the Oklahoma City Thunder can win an NBA championship or at least make a deep playoff push. The Thunder (42-19) trail the Minnesota Timberwolves by ½ game for first place in the Western Conference after making the league’s Play-In tournament last season. But is Dort using his exclusion from the All-Defensive team as motivation?
“It helps a lot. Doing what I do is not easy playing against the toughest matchup every game,” Dort told Sportskeeda. “It’s not easy. But at the same time, we weren’t really able to talk about it. But I feel like right now we are.
Exclusive interview with Lu Dort
Dort spoke to Sportskeeda about his defense, the Thunder’s playoff chances and his case for other teammates to win other individual awards, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (regular season MVP), Chet Holmgren (Rookie of the Year) and Jalen Williams (Most Improved Player).
Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.
How do you assess the general situation of your team this season?
Lu Dort:
“We are having an excellent season. You can’t take this for granted. It took a long process and a long road if you look back at the few years leading up to it. But we are delighted to be here. We will push and fight to where we want to get.
You are high in the rankings. But what do you think the success of the regular season as well as some losses, notably against the Lakers, mean for the playoffs?
Lu Dort:
“It’s all about experiences. Playing against an older team like that takes a lot of experience. We’ll go back and watch film and try to improve.
Even with all your talent, how can you overcome inexperience in the playoffs?
Lu Dort:
“I have experience. Shai has some experience. We all played at the Play-In last year. I feel like for those type of guys who are really good players, it’s not going to not really be difficult for them to adjust. At the end of the day, it’s basketball. It’s just more intense. We’ve done well all season. It’s not going to change that.”
In what way do you think roster continuity can also overcome this problem?
Lu Dort:
“It will definitely help.” We are in a bad position. We are now in a good position. We have been through adversity. We all love each other. We love playing together on the field. So I think all of this will help.
Mark cited your mental toughness as one of the key elements that fueled your excellent defense. How did you develop this?
Lu Dort:
“Looking back on everything, how hard I worked to get here. I can’t lie down now, although it’s sometimes difficult. At the end of the day, it’s basketball. I have worked until now to earn my living. So, I’m just grateful to be in this position.
The Athletic conducted a player poll last year that indicated they ranked you as the second best defender behind Jrue Holiday. What does this mean to you?
Lu Dort:
“It’s good. It’s great to hear that from the players instead of everyone voting for these defensive teams and stuff like that. It’s good that I’m recognized by the players. These are elite players that I guard every night. So it’s great.
One of your matchups called you a “strong defender” and said you “move your feet very well” and “know how to use your body without fouling.” How are you doing that?
Lu Dort:
“The No. 1 thing for me is watching film and trying to find out player tendencies. I feel like everyone can move their feet. But any time you know a player you’re playing against, it’s easier to protect them. What interests me most is watching films. I have quotes on my iPad from some of the best players and notes that I take after matches to see how I can take on them next time. This is something I started doing my first year. It has helped me ever since.
How did that make a difference on defense?
Lu Dort:
“These good players do the same thing every night. But they are just great at doing it. So I try to find ways to mess things up and make it difficult for them. »
I looked at some of the tracking data this highlights your strong defensive matchups this season. What do you think helped fuel these kinds of performances?
Lu Dort:
“It’s not just me. It’s the whole team helping each other. But at the same time, I had the same approach. It’s to make everything difficult for them.
How do you face matches when your main mission is to have a good night of goals?
Lu Dort:
“They are All-Stars and great players for a reason. They are going to have very good matches. But I can’t lie down.
Considering all of this, you haven’t made an All-Defensive team yet. To what extent is this used as fuel?
Lu Dort:
“It helps a lot. Doing what I do isn’t easy when I’m playing against the toughest matchup every game. It is not easy. But at the same time, we weren’t really able to talk about it. But I feel like right now we’re [in that position]. We’ll see what happens. But I don’t really think about it. These are just distinctions. I feel like the best thing I can do is do anything to help my team win. I do this for my team. I’m not doing this to award a prize. So I’m not really going to think about it. I try to be the best player possible on the pitch.
Understanding all of this, you have teammates who could put themselves forward for different rewards. Why do you think Shai should win MVP, why Chet should win Rookie of the Year, and why Jalen should win Most Improved Player?
Lu Dort:
“Shai did what he’s done all season. Furthermore, in the position we are in now, he has encouraged us. With everything he’s done in the NBA in general, I think he should get the MVP award. With Chet, I don’t know who else is in the competition. But I’m pretty sure we’re ranked higher than them. He helped our team get a better ranking. So, I think he should be rookie of the year. With what Jalen did with his improvements from his first to second year, he should be in the conversation for one of the most improved players in the NBA.
How has Shai grown as a player and leader this season?
Lu Dort:
“Shai and I have been here the longest. The way he has grown as a leader is insane. Now he’s really vocal. The way he prepares us for games and the way he starts games for us is incredible. We just follow that.
What is your vision of Team Canada’s performance at the Paris Olympic Games?
Lu Dort:
“We’re going to try to go out there and win the gold medal. We showed the world that we are a very good team. We’re going to shock a lot of people and make a lot of noise. It’s going to be good to have the chance to go to the Olympics and have the chance to compete for the gold medal. The team chemistry we have is so crazy. In our short time together, we grew closer. Just knowing that we can be a part of history is huge.
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook And Topics.
