The Oklahoma City Thunder are 56-12, sitting atop the Western Conference standings for the second straight year. Though their youth is evident, they\u2019re no fluke. They\u2019re just that good.<\/p>\n
Led by projected MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>, they have the game-changing two-way star that can lead them to a championship. Their roster is buoyed not just by lottery picks like Chet Holmgren<\/a> and Jalen Williams<\/a> but second-rounders and undrafted players. The veteran additions they made last offseason, Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a> and Alex Caruso<\/a>, are just icing on the cake.<\/p>\n Not to be forgotten is Mark Daigneault, who won Coach of the Year<\/a> in 2024. A culture-builder who excels at player development, his innovate ideas make him The Man Behind The Curtain<\/em>.<\/p>\n With the Thunder\u2019s defensive rating (107.2) being the best in the league, Daigneault has come out to voice his support for his team\u2019s defensive anchor.<\/p>\n Despite their quick hands, that\u2019s not Gilgeous-Alexander or Cason Wallace<\/a>. Despite his versatility, that\u2019s not Williams. Though he could very well assume that role in the future, it\u2019s not Holmgren either.<\/p>\n It\u2019s Lu Dort<\/a>.<\/p>\n After going undrafted out of Arizona State in 2019, the Thunder signed Dort to a two-way contract. Since then, all he\u2019s done is emerge as a top of the line defender. So much so that OKC converted his contract to a standard deal in 2020 and signed him to an $87.5 million extension in 2022.<\/p>\n Asked about whether Dort\u2019s defense will ever be recognized by the league, in the form of an All-Defensive or Defensive Player of the Year award as opposed to just scouting reports, Daigneault says:<\/p>\n \u201cI think his time has come for that. I think he\u2019ll get that recognition this year<\/a>. \u2026 We have the best defense in the league statistically and he\u2019s anchored that the entire season.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe amount of 30 point games we’ve given up is the lowest in the league by any metric,\u201d he adds (h\/t The Oklahoman\u2019s Joel Lorenzi). \u201cHe\u2019s guarding most of those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n Dort has long been considered one of the league\u2019s premier perimeter defenders.<\/p>\n Least Success Offensively When Guarded By Lu Dort In The 2024-25 NBA Regular Season (Min. 8 Total FGA) :<\/p>\n 1. Lauri Markkanen \u2014 16.7% \u2014 Stat Defender (@statdefender) March 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThunder\u2019s Lu Dort\u2019s \u2018Time Has Come\u2019<\/h2>\n
Stealing The Spotlight<\/h3>\n
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\n2. Donovan Mitchell \u2014 23.1%
\n3. James Harden \u2014 25.0%
\n3. DeMar DeRozan \u2014 25.0%
\n5. Jayson Tatum \u2014 30.0%
\n6. Brandon Ingram \u2014 30.8%
\n7.\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/f09NrGYEct<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/UzLs4SyXGW<\/a><\/p>\n