Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Luguentz Dort was not a finalist for this year’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, prompting teammate Isaiah Hartenstein to speak about it after their Game 1 blowout win over the Memphis Grizzlies last Sunday.
Hartenstein said he was confused why Dort wasn’t even considered. The 26-year-old center also threw a subtle shot at Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, a finalist for the coveted award.
“I might need to get a podcast with Lu. Maybe (it’s) that. All the finalists are great defenders, but watching Lu do what he does on a nightly basis… I think that’s what people don’t see, what the stats don’t show. He’s been great all year,” Hartenstein explained via Clemente Almanza of the Thunder Wire
“I think it’s insane. I do think there is a lack of — I don’t wanna say attention to our team — but in terms of the way we played statistically defensively and the year we had, that doesn’t happen without elite defensive players,” Aaron Wiggins added.
Oklahoma City Thunder News: Luguentz Dort was solid in Game 1 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Luguentz Dort was one of the Oklahoma City Thunder players who recorded double-digit points during their 131-80 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1. The Canadian international had 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and shot 4-for-8 from three-point land.
He was a huge reason why Ja Morant only posted 17 points, three rebounds, and four assists on 6-for-17 shooting from the field for Memphis.
Dort played a key role in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s superb regular season, where they finished 68-14. Despite his defensive chops, winning DPOY was always an uphill climb for Dort since only three guards in NBA history have won it.
