Lu Dort d ‘Oklahoma City reacts in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in match 1 of the 2025 NBA final at the Oklahoma City Paycc City, Oklahoma. (Photo by William Purnell / Getty Images)
Tempe – Although some of the best in the NBA played for Oklahoma City Thunder, from Kevin during James Harden to Russell Westbrook, a title of league escaped the franchise. Thunder fans hope that this season will be different this season, and an old standout from Arizona State could play a role in the realization.
The Thunder, which faces Indiana in match 2 of the NBA final on Sunday, lost against the Pacers during the opening of the series on a Haliburton Tyrese of 21 feet of the last second, eclipping a very effort as a sleeps, which had 15 points – all at 3 points – as well as four rebounds, four interceptions and two blocks.
He made the history of the NBA final, joining Kawhi Leonard as the only player to record four or more interceptions and to make five or more 3 points in a final match.
“Whenever I can sneak one, a flight or a block, I’m going,” said journalists after the match. “That’s how I’m playing. Whenever I can play a game like that for my teammates, I will do it. ”
More than anything, sleeps is known as one of the best defenders in the NBA, such a refined skill that it justified its own nickname: the room gave.
He succeeded without taking the typical path of an NBA player.
Leaving the school – he played in Canada, where he grew up, and in Florida – he was a five -star recruit, little was his attitude that distinguished him, said ASU coach Bobby Hurley.
“It was not the type of child who wanted something to give him,” said Hurley. “He wanted to win it.”
Hurley thought about a time when he put sleeps because of his performance in a previous match. Upon entering this next game, Dort did not act entitled or has an attitude. It has performed the bench well, and this type of mentality would continue to serve it well on the road.
During its only season at ASU, Dort was appointed recruit PAC-12 of the year and made the All-Defensive PAC-12 team. By entering the NBA project, many analysts planned to go anywhere at the end of the first round at the start of the second round.
Instead, he is not drafted, looking at the name after the name called. It was a difficult experience.
“At the draft, whenever they think that someone will be called, they bring the cameras in front of them just to see the reactions,” said Dort to Sports Ilustrated. “So the cameras came to see me at least 10 times.”
Later in the evening, the Thunder signed him, and since the end of his recruit year, his career has been on an ascending trajectory.
“He is a professional professional, he is a great team player and a big guy with a high content,” said Jeff Ayres (formerly Pendergraph), an ASU player who won a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. “He did not enter and brought an ego, and when he arrived at the Thunder, he humiliated and bought in the program.”
Even if the impact of sleeping is felt mainly on the defense, its attack has gone a long way. During the first four years of his career, his defensive impact felt denied because of his shooting difficulties.
He drew less than 35% on a 3 -point range every four years, but in the past two seasons, he has pulled around 40% out of 3. It is important, because about half of his career shooting attempts are 3 points. As long as a sleep continues to be a threat in attack, its value continues to rise.
And he would love to add the “NBA title” to his achievements.
