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Jean-Francois Tremblay
The Canadian Press
The 21-year-old Montrealer is part of the new core of the team with, in particular, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a 22-year-old Ontarian, and Darius Bazley, a 20-year-old American.
“It means a lot to me,” said the athlete from Montreal-North by video conference on Thursday. The three of us are really close – in the bubble, we were often together.
“Since then, we’ve talked a lot on social media, we’ve texted each other and all. We’re happy to be back and we’re ready to play. ”
Led by a new coach, Mark Daigneault, the Thunder has changed a lot since the relaunch at Disney.
Chris Paul was traded to the Phoenix Suns, Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers, Steven Adams to the New Orleans Pelicans and Danilo Gallinari to the Atlanta Hawks.
“I know I’m going to have a bigger role,” Dort said. I will be ready for whatever the coach asks me. ”
On September 2, Dort set a personal high with 30 points, including six three-pointers. He had victory at his fingertips in Game 7, long distance, but James Harden hit a block and the Houston Rockets reached the second round.
“I improved a lot for the three-pointers,” said Dort. During the off season, this is the aspect I worked on the most.
“I still worked on a bit of everything: consistency in my shots, reading the game when there is a screen, that kind of thing there. I am very satisfied with the way it went. ”
In Game 6 against Houston, Dort got 13 points in a home win. In the second game of the showdown, he signed three blocks.
His work in defense has won him praise across the league, including commentators like Doris Burke and former star Shaquille O’Neal. He’s got a lot of top players in trouble, Harden in particular.
“I learned a lot last season,” said Dort, who was rewarded with a long-term pact in June. I did a good job defensively, I had very good “feedback” ”.
“I’m happy to show new guys or other guys how to do the right things. It suits me to communicate even more, to assert myself even more. Mike Muscala (who is back), he’s very vocal in defense too. ”
Starting Jan. 20, Dort averaged 6.8 points and 0.9 steals per game in his first season in the NBA.
The Thunder will play their first exhibition game on Saturday in San Antonio.
“We just had two good days of training with solid contacts,” said Daigneault on Thursday. Friday it will be lighter, more focused on the study of video sequences. The important thing is to improve every day. ”
Among the new faces are two renowned veterans.
George Hill arrives from the Milwaukee Bucks. Last season, he led the NBA in three-point shooting success rate, at 46%. Also brought in is Al Horford, who has been on five all-star teams.
The Thunder will host the Chicago Bulls on December 16 and 18, in preseason games.
He will start his regular season on December 23 in Houston.
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