Two OKC Thunder players ranked as best perimeter defenders in NBA

Brody Bitters

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Two OKC Thunder players ranked as best perimeter defenders in NBA image

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

It is no secret that the Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Last season, the Thunder tied for the second best defensive rating as well as tied for first in steals per game and blocks per game as a team. 

Those stats were in large part led by Shai Gilgeous Alexander, who tied for first in steals per game as well as total steals and Chet Holmgren, who was second in total blocks and tied for fourth in blocks per game. 

However, entering the 2024/25 season, the OKC Thunder have a dynamic duo of guards who are the best at their respective roles and who fly under the radar when it comes to defensive team success.

In a recent post by 'The Basketball Index', they ranked the top perimeter isolation defenders in the NBA, and the top two placements were held by Thunder players Lu Dort and Alex Caruso.

 

 

Dort has been one of the most underrated defenders in the league since he was drafted back in 2019. Aside from being tasked with guarding the best player on every team, Dort held players to 36.5 percent shooting from three and averaged one steal per game last season. Given the players he guards are typically all-star caliber, those statistics are quite impressive. 

Despite being ranked first in perimeter isolation defense and placing in a variety of other defensive categories, Dort has been snubbed of many all-defensive teams for years. It will only be a matter of time until Dort gets the recognition he deserves. 

As for the newly acquired Caruso, his resume speaks for itself. Not only has Caruso made back-to-back all-defensive teams, but he has placed within the top-15 of defensive player of the year votes. Averaging over one steal a game and nearly one block for his career, Caruso has continuously shown his defensive impact on every team he has been a part of.

Now, having those two players on the same team will give nightmares to opposing guards. And if players are someone able to beat them, having to meet Chet and Hartenstein in the paint will be icing on the cake.

 

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Brody Bitters

Brody Bitters Photo

Brody Bitters is a graduate from Butler University, where he studied Sports Media and Strategic Communications for four years. Brody previously worked as a sports reporter in Zanesville, Ohio, where he covered all things athletics from high school football, baseball, and track & field to the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Brody played basketball, football, and soccer and is a diehard Buckeye. Moreover, Brody is a massive fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Broncos, which appear random on paper, but have very specific and unique backstories.