NBA writer Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic was informed by Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel that Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lu Dort flips too much,
In the end, the Thunder defeated the Suns 128-103. Devin Booker, a top guard for Phoenix, received five foul calls.
Dort did not receive a single foul call. He was called for two offensive fouls.
Vogel stated, “The league needs to look into all the flopping that Lu Dort does because it’s absurd how he gets calls.” You will have the upper hand if they receive calls of that nature. You cannot simply collapse and receive a whistle each time there is contact.
Vogel claimed that “whistle” or dead-ball turnovers accounted for half of the Suns’ 14 turnovers. 15 points were scored by the Thunder off of Phoenix’s 14 total turnovers.
With a 52-22 record, the Thunder own the best record in the Western Conference. At 43-31, the Suns are now sixth in the Western Conference.
Phoenix would play the Sacramento Kings in the 7-8 play-in tournament game at Sacramento if the regular season ended today.
OKC went 3-0 against Phoenix this season. The Thunder are third in the NBA in points per game, 12th in points per game allowed and second in net rating. They look like championship contenders.
The Suns are 10th in the NBA in points per game, 16th in points per game allowed and 10th in net rating.
“I like our chances of getting anybody regardless,” Suns star said. “Who knows, maybe we’ll see them again. But you’ve got to tip your hat to them. They play a great brand of basketball.”
Vogel’s remarks about Dort “flopping” would undoubtedly come up if the Suns advance to the playoffs and meet the Thunder. Dort would also undoubtedly face questions about this. A seven-game series featuring Durant against his old team would be entertaining.
