We learn that Lu Dort is OKC’s “enforcer”…….and that role is needed……

DORT STANDS UP FOR HIS TEAMMATES

Oklahoma City and San Antonio scuffled last night in a road game for the Thunder which provided the league’s fan base with the true “enforcer” for the men on Reno Street.

And Luguentz Dort, has come front and circle as that man, the Thunder’s “enforcer.”  Respect, especially the kind you get from your mates, being in sports, in life, in war, is something earned and Dort did just that within the Thunder locker-room.

First to fight is not what I am talking about.  But first to engage is, and with his quick action, and words toward an opponent, the 5th year pro out of Arizona State showed the Association that the crap and total disrespect this Thunder team has had to endure has repercussions.  Coach Daigneault said so much in the post game presser.

Coach told reporters that he approached official James Williams when the scrum cleared. He said Williams told him that Dort’s ejection was a result of something Dort said during the altercation, which Daigneault called “fair game.” He specified that those words weren’t directed toward James Williams.

“If James Williams wants to eject him for that, I think it’s justified,” Daigeault said. “The issue I have with that is, I’ve heard with my own ears in the last two weeks other players say similar or worse things to officials with no response.

“And the officials are saying ‘we’re calibrating to the emotion of the game.’ Great. … If we’re calibrating with one player, we should be calibrating with Lu Dort. If there’s zero tolerance for Lu Dort, there should be zero tolerance with everybody. They’ve gotta figure that out.”

Dort was ready to give his all for his team and though he was tossed for “words” he made sure that the Spurs players would not get away with cheap shots, even if they might seem to be unintentional.  Elbows to the face, head, can cause severe injuries and the NBA is so inconsistent with their on-court calls by the officials and the replay system things are getting out-0f-hand.  It will become worse as the season continues, and the league has not addressed the issue, and seems to dole out fines and suspensions as their reactions.

Last night could have gone really bad for both teams.  But the well run franchises in OKC and SA can take it to the bank that both teams are loaded with high end players.  Dort and Kendrich Williams are, and the Spurs counterparts are also.

It is time for the Association to be consistent with their on court rulings.  Add off-court too.  Right now, they are not.  That is a shame and without consistency, less than desirable incidents will continue to happen and players like Lu Dort become more of a necessity.