The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by defensive stars Alex Caruso and Lu Dort, are set to be one of the top teams in the league in 2024, mainly because of their outstanding defense.
Caruso and Dort: Perimeter Defenders Extraordinaire
Alex Caruso and Lu Dort are consistently regarded as some of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA. Caruso, recognized for his outstanding defensive performance on-ball and in ball-screen situations, shone in these aspects, particularly in the 2020 season. Moreover, Dort, a long-time Thunder player, is consistently improving. Now also leads in BBall Index’s rankings for top “point of attack” defenders, an essential position that involves defending the opponent’s main ballhandler.
United, they create a strong defensive pair, priming Oklahoma City’s stifling perimeter defense for the upcoming season.
Advanced Stats Highlight Thunder’s Defensive Dominance
BBall Index, a top analytics platform, highlights the Thunder’s strong defensive skills through its advanced stats. Dort, Caruso, along with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, have all received acknowledgment on BBall Index’s All-Defensive Teams, confirming OKC’s defensive capability even more. Holmgren and Hartenstein bring additional depth to the Thunder’s already strong defense. With their shot-blocking and interior defense skills.
A Championship-Caliber Defense
Next season, the Thunder plan to excel in various defensive categories with the help of Caruso, Dort, and a strong roster of defensive players. Their success in preventing isolation offenses, guarding against the pick-and-roll. Also containing opposing stars is crucial to their hopes of winning the championship.
In 2024, the defense of Oklahoma City has the potential to be not just good, but possibly record-breaking.
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