The NBA Playoffs are heating up. Yet, amid the chaos, the league just dropped its list of award finalists. That’s where things get… interesting. Despite being a defensive juggernaut this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have zero players on the DPOY list. Instead? Draymond Green sneaks in. And according to many, one ESPN reporter might just be the reason why.
The media plays an important role in this list that you see. They choose players for their ballots that ultimately add to their vote count, which ultimately results in them being the finalists or not. Therefore, it looks like ESPN’s Tim Bontemps chose Draymond Green instead of someone from OKC, precisely Luguentz Dort.
So, speaking on the Hoop Collective podcast, Tim MacMahon teased Bontemps. He said, “Lu Dort, not a finalist. I’ve heard from good sources. Six feet nine, two hundred sixty pounds, sources who own bars in the area say that Bontemps is to blame. Oh, yeah. Is that right? That’s what I hear. I heard Bontemps in the finals. His scholarship has been revoked.” Meanwhile Brian Windhorst admitted: “Lu Dort was on my ballot.”
Jan 23, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Well, it’s true, Dort hasn’t made it to the cut. Not too long ago, the Golden State Warriors‘ legend seemed to be out of the DPOY conversation, let alone become a finalist. But now, as the tables turn and he finds his name in second place right after Dyson Daniels’s and above Evan Mobley’s, it’s clear that 2017’s ever-iconic Draymond Green has made a comeback.
At the same time, reports suggest the NBA has also removed Los Angeles Clippers star Ivica Zubac from the DPOY list. He’s on the Most Improved Player’s list, though! Now, this leaves us with three names, among which Green has already won the title in the Warriors’ championship-winning 2016-17 season. He’s also a 4x All-Defensive First Team and a 4x All-Defensive Second Team. So, it isn’t surprising that the 35-year-old power forward is making waves in the world of defenses.
However, this list and Lu Dort’s absence from the list haven’t settled down in the Oklahoma City Thunder locker room. And now, their voices are getting louder as odd allegations against Draymond also enter the scene.
The OKC Thunder throw shade at Draymond Green after Luguentz Dort gets snubbed from the DPOY finalist list
Despite anchoring one of the league’s top defenses, Luguentz Dort was snubbed from the DPOY finalist list. Meanwhile, his teammate Chet Holmgren’s prolonged absence makes his exclusion understandable. But Dort? He’s met the criteria and tormented star players all year long. Yet, no recognition; again!
Instead, Draymond Green, Dyson Daniels, and Evan Mobley got the nod. Daniels and Mobley earned it. But Green? His case seems podcast-powered by many critical eyes. As Isaiah Hartenstein joked, “Maybe I gotta start a podcast with Lu man, I don’t know.” Honestly, that might’ve worked, who knows?
Isaiah Hartenstein on Lu Dort not being a DPOY finalist: “Maybe I gotta start a podcast with Lu man, I don’t know.“
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) April 21, 2025
Lu Dort gave his all: sweat, hustle, heart. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. Not for the voters, not this time. Meanwhile, Draymond Green talked, and somehow, that echoed louder. Does this mean his defense was ineffective? No. But, if defense had a face, it could’ve been Dort’s. Instead, it’s all just noise now.
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