Isaac 3 & D Okoro - A Two Way Playing Basketball Savant

[Alec]

I would bet my (paid off) house that Okoro is taking thousands of shots per week. Sometimes you just aren’t good. Now I’m not saying he’s not, but clearly it’s not coming naturally for him. You have to believe the ball is going in and his hesitation shows that’s not the case.

 

[Kiddo]

Okoro needs a couple week stint with the Charge, the game is too fast for him right now on offense. If we can find a way to pick up a young 3pt shooting sg we'll be contending for the next 5-8 years. Gary Trent Jr would be perfect.

 

[daytripper]

Kinda ironic there are three 0's in 0koro's name.

 

[Heat Check]

Some great posts here.

Nevertheless... I don't see JBB doing anything. He's obviously "committed" to Okoro (either by choice or with someone forcing his hand).

NBA teams don't like to make permanent changes into their starting lineups during the season unless someone handily gets injured. There's a lot of egos being juggled (and not just on the court - that applies to front offices as well). Fans like to say "It's not about who starts games, it's about who finishes them" but in reality, starting is a big deal in the League. It's a job description and it affects your pay grade when you're negotiating a new deal.

You never know for sure, but I'll be shocked if Okoro loses his starting spot this season.

 

[weepinwillow]

Okoro needs a couple week stint with the Charge, the game is too fast for him right now on offense. If we can find a way to pick up a young 3pt shooting sg we'll be contending for the next 5-8 years. Gary Trent Jr would be perfect.

I'm not seeing the game move to fast for him. I'm seeing a kid in his own head on his shot. He just has to take the open ones w/confidence. If he's hitting them, great, if not, JBB is going to have to be more judicious with his minutes and let Cedi and Stevens (and Windler?) play more.

 

[BigZ94]

Some great posts here.

Nevertheless... I don't see JBB doing anything. He's obviously "committed" to Okoro (either by choice or with someone forcing his hand).

NBA teams don't like to make permanent changes into their starting lineups during the season unless someone handily gets injured. There's a lot of egos being juggled (and not just on the court - that applies to front offices as well). Fans like to say "It's not about who starts games, it's about who finishes them" but in reality, starting is a big deal in the League. It's a job description and it affects your pay grade when you're negotiating a new deal.

You never know for sure, but I'll be shocked if Okoro loses his starting spot this season.

Okoro only got the spot because of Sextons injury, I could see JBB benching him if a better option came along

 

[ryanf]

okoro should be on a very short leash. if there are 2 consecutive plays the defense lags on him and shrinks the floor for the other guys, sub cedi or lamar in.

basically tell him, you only keep your minutes if you don't negatively impact the offense.

 

[Man Called X]

Okoro only got the spot because of Sextons injury, I could see JBB benching him if a better option came along

Nah, JBB has a love affair with the kid. He planned on starting him at the beginning of the season but was overruled by Koby.

The kid is trash and if JBB thought he was talented, that tells you all you need to know about how bad of a talent scout JBB is.

 

[Cavsfan1985]

So what’s your suggestion? It’s easy to yell “BENCH OKORO!!!” It’s much tougher to propose a realistic alternative.

With Sexton out, the other SG options are Cedi, Windler, and Valentine. Cedi is the best alternative. But moving him into the starting role really hurts the bench. Also, Cedi has finally (after several seasons) found a role that he can do well in. I’m not sure taking him out of that role, and moving him back to a role where he’s been much worse, is a good idea.

Windler has been a disappointment obviously. He seems to have lost all confidence. JBB doesn’t trust him at all, and I can’t blame him.

Valentine is … well, he’s the 14th/15th man on the roster.

Until the Cavs can trade for somebody else (a possibility, but not a given; especially not until later this month, after many more players around the league become tradable), Okoro is it.

I agree, we just don’t have many options, and we need the mins and defense he does provide. Cedi is having a career year as a wing off the bench. I think that’s what makes this team so much better this year. With Cedi and Rubio running the second unit you have two guys that can score and keep the offense moving.

The only guy I could see trying to start is Windler as he would atleast open the floor for the starters, but his defense would be lacking.

I really think this team can compete for a playoff birth with the play from Allen and Garland, but unless Okoro can develop even a low .30% shot from 3, this team is limited with Sexton out. Not sure what will be out there at the deadline, or what we would be willing to give up, but we need a backup guard that can be a playmaker but also shoot 3’s.

 

[All4One1ForAll]

So what’s your suggestion? It’s easy to yell “BENCH OKORO!!!” It’s much tougher to propose a realistic alternative.

With Sexton out, the other SG options are Cedi, Windler, and Valentine. Cedi is the best alternative. But moving him into the starting role really hurts the bench. Also, Cedi has finally (after several seasons) found a role that he can do well in. I’m not sure taking him out of that role, and moving him back to a role where he’s been much worse, is a good idea.

Windler has been a disappointment obviously. He seems to have lost all confidence. JBB doesn’t trust him at all, and I can’t blame him.

Valentine is … well, he’s the 14th/15th man on the roster.

Until the Cavs can trade for somebody else (a possibility, but not a given; especially not until later this month, after many more players around the league become tradable), Okoro is it.

I would actually prefer either of Valentine or Stevens to Okoro. Stevens is a clearly better defender than Okoro, is a better and more willing shooter, and at least gives us more size to match up against bigger wings. And Valentine gets treated like he can make a jump shot if left open, and that defensive attention automatically makes him an upgrade over Okoro. I don’t think people realize how much just not having a dude out there who totally handicaps your offense by not being guarded by the opposition makes a difference. The replacement doesn’t even have to be very good at all to be an upgrade.

 

[Cassity14]

okoro should be on a very short leash. if there are 2 consecutive plays the defense lags on him and shrinks the floor for the other guys, sub cedi or lamar in.

basically tell him, you only keep your minutes if you don't negatively impact the offense.

The guy whose confidence is clearly wavering should be told that if two possessions go poorly, he's out?

Yikes.

 

[weepinwillow]

The guy whose confidence is clearly wavering should be told that if two possessions go poorly, he's out?

Yikes.

right, it's not a short leash.. it's more like a valve to a water line, dial it back when you need to, but get Isaac over the shooting issue.. and if it doesn't come around, Cavs will have to move on. But that's more like an offseason thing.

 

[DirtyDan]

The Cavs always seem to give young players (besides Windler) more than enough playing time even when it's undeserved. The expectations are higher this year, so it's tough to play at such a handicap with Okoro at SG when Cedi and Stevens are outplaying him at the moment.

He's NBA athlete, but raw at the fundamentals of the game. He's doing what is asked of him and being told to play through the tough times. Going to take time before Okoro can pick the fruits of his labor. Capping him at 20-25 minutes would be a reasonable adjustment, maybe more time spent with Rubio in the second unit too.

I'm confident his shot will come around. His mechanics are just inconsistent and he's in his own head too often. This staff has down a wonderful job with Cedi, Nance, and Sexton (before this season).

Altman picked a longterm project at the 5th pick. Just gotta let it ride out.

 

[Cavatt]

I think it is likely he looks better in practice and is freezing up in game. Defenders are making him uncomfortable.

I think JB is doing the right thing, but how long is the question. You can't just hope he develops forever. I really think confidence is his biggest issue. I want him to work on his ball handling more than his shot honestly. HE isn't using his first step to his advantage.

 

[Cassity14]

I think it is likely he looks better in practice and is freezing up in game. Defenders are making him uncomfortable.

I think JB is doing the right thing, but how long is the question. You can't just hope he develops forever. I really think confidence is his biggest issue. I want him to work on his ball handling more than his shot honestly. HE isn't using his first step to his advantage.

The answer, despite what many people on this board want to hear, is probably until the end of the season. Sexton is out, and Okoro is a quarter of the way through his second season.

The team winning games this year isn't going to affect their long term approach. Lamar Stevens and Denzel Valentine are not starting shooting guards in the NBA and never will be. The latter is not even a rotational piece in the NBA as the former is trying to prove that he is. They're going to see as much of Okoro this season as they possibly can, especially playing on the court with other core pieces as much as possible.