Great offensive players recognize elite defense a little quicker than most.
So when Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander touted teammate Luguentz Dort’s defensive skills during a press conference following the All-Star break, it officially became time to take notice of Oklahoma City’s second-year lightning rod.
“He wants to be the best on-ball defender in the NBA and personally I think he is the best on-ball defender in the NBA,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Dort after a 116-108 win over Dallas Mavericks. “Besides his physical traits - super athletic, strong, fast - he really takes pride in his defense. And he brings it every night.