{"id":60376,"date":"2023-12-30T12:03:12","date_gmt":"2023-12-30T17:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=60376"},"modified":"2023-12-30T12:03:12","modified_gmt":"2023-12-30T17:03:12","slug":"lu-dort-has-finally-found-a-consistent-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/12\/30\/lu-dort-has-finally-found-a-consistent-role\/","title":{"rendered":"Lu Dort Has Finally Found a Consistent Role"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luguentz Dort<\/a><\/strong>, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Canadian defensive ace, has seen an offensive surge 29 games into the season.<\/p>\n

Since the Thunder<\/a> began their rebuild in 2020, they needed to know how Dort would develop. He just had the playoff series of his life in the bubble against the Houston Rockets, making life very difficult for superstar guard James Harden<\/a><\/strong>, and he had 30 points in a losing effort in Game 7.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were many ups and downs during these three years, from 2020-23. He received plenty of on-ball reps, which increased his points each season, but the effectiveness and efficiency were not there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dort had very noticeable hot and cold stretches from the three-point line and was never viewed as a good shooter, although he took a high volume of three-point attempts.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fan base was starting to grow very frustrated with Dort. While his defensive production remained high, he hijacked and stalled the offense many times. A pull-up three in transition here and an off-the-dribble contested mid-range pull-up there, and his finishing around the rim was suspect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He was the talk of many trades every summer and offseason, but with the Thunder at 21-9 this season, we now have the ideal version of Dort.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lu Dort Has Finally Found a Consistent Role<\/h2>\n

Dort Is Having a Career Year Thus Far<\/h3>\n

Dort is averaging 10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field and 41.3% from three, both career highs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other notable stats and observations are:<\/p>\n