OKLAHOMA CITY — With next season approaching, Lu Dort has reportedly begun the difficult emotional process of accepting that one day soon, the ankles he spent years protecting may become the ankles he is professionally required to inconvenience.
According to sources, Dort has already started reviewing old Thunder film, pausing whenever Shai Gilgeous-Alexander launches into one of his signature drives, pump fakes or sudden changes of direction.
“It’s different when you know the ankles personally,” one team source said. “Lu’s been around those ankles for years. There’s history there.”
Coaches have reportedly encouraged Dort to treat SGA like any other elite scorer, though witnesses say he became visibly uncomfortable when shown a scouting report containing the phrase “close space aggressively.”
Dort is also said to be struggling with the possibility that, after years of watching defenders get called for fouls around Gilgeous-Alexander, he may soon become one of those defenders himself.
“He knows how this ends,” a former teammate said. “He reaches once, Shai moves slightly, whistle. Lu looks at the referee. Shai shoots two.”
For now, Dort is taking things one possession at a time.
Sources say his preparation will continue throughout training camp, with the final stage involving looking at an old photo of SGA, quietly whispering ‘business is business,’ and closing the locker.
