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

[inliner311]

Honestly, I’m not sure what to do with Okoro. When we first drafted him, I thought he would ideally become our starting SF since we used our previous top picks on guards. No clue what they have in mind for him now that LeVert entered the fold, who plays a very similar role.

I think you have to hope that he hits the gym hard this summer and develop his shooting to go along with his defense. Perhaps he starts on the wing and develops into a 3&D (albeit a shorter one)? It’d be nice if he packed on some muscle, too. Maybe he doesn’t become the next Jimmy Butler, but we don’t need him to. I’ll take an Iguodala, who was another common comparison, all day.

I'm not sure it would be beneficial to Okoro to add muscle. He already has a hard time keeping up with quicker guards. His problem guarding bigger wings isn't being pushed around. It was more his height and wingspan. Adding bulk might make him even less versatile on defense.

 

[Heat Check]

I'm not sure it would be beneficial to Okoro to add muscle. He already has a hard time keeping up with quicker guards. His problem guard bigger wings isn't being pushed around. It was more his height and wingspan. Adding bulk might make him even less versatile on defense.

100% agree. That's the problem with being a tweener. I have a hard time believing Okoro can get any quicker than he is now, and as you said, he definitely shouldn't get any bulkier.

 

[ManOfTheLand]

I'm not sure it would be beneficial to Okoro to add muscle. He already has a hard time keeping up with quicker guards. His problem guard bigger wings isn't being pushed around. It was more his height and wingspan. Adding bulk might make him even less versatile on defense.

That’s a good call, I think you’re definitely right. Besides, I think I forgot he was already pretty well built to begin with.

 

[CavsKermit]

Almost every NBA player was a beast in college and had a much more diverse role than in the pros. That's how it goes. The only thing that matters is what you can do in the League itself.

Okoro could do those things in HS and the NCAA, but the NBA is another world. If you're a dude who could offer 5 above average things in college, you can probably offer only 1 or 2 of them in the League. There are exceptions, of course, but so far Isaac hasn't shown signs of being one. He's a guy who had some moderate success in college because he had an "NBA body" – but, ironically, that's not enough in the NBA. You need elite skill, particularly if you're a tweener like Isaac.

So long as he's on a guard, Okoro's defense is really, really good. That's an NBA skill. If Pat Beverly and Smart can carve out NBA careers, so can Okoro. If he was drafted outside of the lottery, I think the expectations would be far lower and people would be fine with him just being a defensive guard.

My issue is that everyone knew, including the Cavs, that he was a 19-year old project on offense when he was drafted. If you're not going to give 19-year old project players three full years in the NBA, then don't draft them. Otherwise, stick to the plan. He doesn't have to start, but the Cavs should keep him and give him run off the bench at least.

 

[foucault87]

That’s a good call, I think you’re definitely right. Besides, I think I forgot he was already pretty well built to begin with.

How can you forget those thighs??

 

[ManOfTheLand]

How can you forget those thighs??

Especially after they just mentioned them on the podcast!

 

[Kepler]

isaac okoro is actually the next pj tucker

 

[Cavatt]

I doubted when this was said about Darius...

I do think the most important thing for Okoro is confidence. I think he is too afraid of mistakes and plays too safe

 

[sailfish]

I doubted when this was said about Darius...

I do think the most important thing for Okoro is confidence. I think he is too afraid of mistakes and plays too safe

Wow, that's great to hear and you're absolutely right! This is a critical offseason for Okoro . He needs to cut it loose and play with confidence. His development could really take this team to the next level and allow us to focus on getting a quality SF.

 

[dark2332]

I doubted when this was said about Darius...

I do think the most important thing for Okoro is confidence. I think he is too afraid of mistakes and plays too safe

You guys realize NBA Pacific is a parody account like Ballsack and Tim Larsen, right? They just do it trying to burn Cleveland fans.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I doubted when this was said about Darius...

I do think the most important thing for Okoro is confidence. I think he is too afraid of mistakes and plays too safe

I still wonder how much of that is coaching in terms of wanting the guys to play "their roles". Just seems a bit weird that we have two guys in Okoro and especially Windler who don't seem to want to shoot.

 

[B Mac]

I doubted when this was said about Darius...

I do think the most important thing for Okoro is confidence. I think he is too afraid of mistakes and plays too safe

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Fuck. I got excited for a moment lol

 

[Cavatt]

You guys realize NBA Pacific is a parody account like Ballsack and Tim Larsen, right? They just do it trying to burn Cleveland fans.

I don't think it is a parody if it just lies. There is no joke, just gotcha. What's the parody? It's just fake and that's it

 

[dark2332]

I don't think it is a parody if it just lies. There is no joke, just gotcha. What's the parody? It's just fake and that's it

Ok, then it just lies. Don’t blame me, you’re the one that posted it