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

[Dr No]

Consistently entertaining tonight to watch Okoro shut down Edwards and virtually everyone he was switched onto when Edwards was able to got free from him. Made Conley and others look feeble at times.

Okoro looks very frustrated when he gets caught on a screen and can't quite get back to his main assignment yet then shifts smoothly to team defensive mode.

Everyone ought to have someone who loves them as deeply and unwaveringly as JBB loves Okoro. (Not to imply that Okoro isn’t a great defender)

 

[stick]

 

[avs2000]

I can t see a world where they don't enter into the tax starting next season unless they choose to blow this thing up. Or they choose to consolidate, which is something I think they should explore (Depending on Mitchell contract). If they could make Garland and Mobley into a single/better Max contract player, it could ease a lot of the concerns of the financials.

If DM signs I would move Garland for a 2 guard or a wing
Definitely sign okoro long term

 

[PIP]

Could you imagine how much success Okoro would have in the Miami Heat system ?

Would be fantastic to see.

 

[shoes22]

Consistently entertaining tonight to watch Okoro shut down Edwards and virtually everyone he was switched onto when Edwards was able to got free from him. Made Conley and others look feeble at times.

Okoro looks very frustrated when he gets caught on a screen and can't quite get back to his main assignment yet then shifts smoothly to team defensive mode.

JB driving up Okoro's value! Music to his agent's ears. We can't sign him to a team friendly deal when his own coach is saying this about him.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

JB driving up Okoro's value! Music to his agent's ears. We can't sign him to a team friendly deal when his own coach is saying this about him.

My exact thought when I read that quote. Will be the first and only slide on his PPT presentation.

 

[mds]

A good coach would publicly shit talk his players so the team could pay less for them.

 

[jjvors]

Okoro's defense on Ant looks even better comparing it to the game between the Wolves and the Pacers. Ant scored 44 on the Pacers.

GAME DATE	MATCHUP	W/L	MIN	PTS	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	+/-
MAR 08, 2024	MIN @ CLE	L	42	19	7	27	25.9	0	7	0.0	5	5	100	1	4	5	3	1	1	5	3	-20
MAR 07, 2024	MIN @ IND	W	39	44	18	35	51.4	3	7	42.9	5	8	62.5	2	4	6	3	2	2	0	1	2

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[PIP]

The thing I’ve never understood about the Okoro detractors is that it just seems that they can’t or won’t see that he doesn’t mail it in on any night and I appreciate that.

I clown Westbrook too, but will admit he plays hard each and everytime he plays and at least tries to earn his check.

Okoro is very much the same way — I don’t get that with guys like Mobley or Allen or DG— just kinda feel they sulk or will tap out at a certain effort and that’s what you get…

Not at all saying that they are bad teammates or issues within the organization, cause they definitely are team first guys— but there have been times where I side-eye their effort on a given night….

Never with Okoro…. He may have had a terrible night cause he’s just not as skilled or talented, but I’ve never thought he’s just checked out and not tried to play his ass off…

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Okoro is second on the team in 3pt % at 40.7%, which is just 0.2% behind Merrill in first. His eFG% is third on the team at 59.4% behind big men Allen and Thompson, and his FGA have gone up each year he's been in the league.

What is this guy going to look like at 25?

He's never going to lead the league in scoring - or shot attempts - but he's no longer a one-way player or offensive liability. I definitely wouldn't be shocked when some other team that recognizes his value puts a bag on the table.

 

[guitarguy]

Definitely can't cap this guy, but I do think we've mostly stopped thinking of him as a top 5 pick. So our expectations aren't nearly as high. For instance, we give Garland tons of shit for not doing more last night, but where the hell was Okoro to save the day? Shouldn't we expect him to contribute as much as Mobley and Garland? I guess he didn't get the big contract like Garland or unicorn moniker, but it's funny how little we expect of him now and just happy when he gets a few points and makes a 3 a game.

Not putting a limit on him and definitely happy about a lot of what's happened with him this year. But only because gave up any real hope that he's a premier player. Which maybe he could be one day, but I guess at this point we are just happy if he averages over 2 rebounds a game and 10 points.

I guess I'm just trying to put things in perspective as there is an endless amount of Garland and Mobley bashing going on, ha.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Definitely can't cap this guy, but I do think we've mostly stopped thinking of him as a top 5 pick. So our expectations aren't nearly as high. For instance, we give Garland tons of shit for not doing more last night, but where the hell was Okoro to save the day? Shouldn't we expect him to contribute as much as Mobley and Garland? I guess he didn't get the big contract like Garland or unicorn moniker, but it's funny how little we expect of him now and just happy when he gets a few points and makes a 3 a game.

Not putting a limit on him and definitely happy about a lot of what's happened with him this year. But only because gave up any real hope that he's a premier player. Which maybe he could be one day, but I guess at this point we are just happy if he averages over 2 rebounds a game and 10 points.

I guess I'm just trying to put things in perspective as there is an endless amount of Garland and Mobley bashing going on, ha.

Are we talking just offensively, or overall?

Sure, we expect more offensively out of Garland because that is supposed to be his strength. Nobody expects him to shut down the opposing team's best perimeter player.

If Okoro failed on the defensive end that is supposed to be his strength, he'd get a lot more criticism.

Overall, at this point, I wouldn't be shocked if Okoro ends up being the more valuable/better player long term. His defense is outstanding, and his offensive improvement is turning him into a great guy to pair with an offensive minded PG. Guys who can contribute without needed the ball in their hands are usually an easier fit on most teams.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Definitely can't cap this guy, but I do think we've mostly stopped thinking of him as a top 5 pick. So our expectations aren't nearly as high. For instance, we give Garland tons of shit for not doing more last night, but where the hell was Okoro to save the day? Shouldn't we expect him to contribute as much as Mobley and Garland? I guess he didn't get the big contract like Garland or unicorn moniker, but it's funny how little we expect of him now and just happy when he gets a few points and makes a 3 a game.

Not putting a limit on him and definitely happy about a lot of what's happened with him this year. But only because gave up any real hope that he's a premier player. Which maybe he could be one day, but I guess at this point we are just happy if he averages over 2 rebounds a game and 10 points.

I guess I'm just trying to put things in perspective as there is an endless amount of Garland and Mobley bashing going on, ha.

I would say because at times in his first two seasons he looked like a Thybulle type player at best and a non-rotation player at worst. He was always a guy that played hard, but just got force fed minutes no matter how bad he played.

He honestly reminds me of TT. No one knew why they drafted the guy and he was destined to be a JAG until LeBron came back and he suddenly had a very specific role to play that he played well and is extremely valuable to a winning or contending team.

Okoro basically had the same thing happen with the LeVert and Mitchell trades. Once the Cavs acquired those two, Okoro’s path to contributing to winning became extremely clear (like TT).

Okoro has progressed nicely overall, and I think he’s greatly benefited by being able to focus on defense and energy first while the other things develop. Adding those other players pretty much absolved him of needing to be a real offensive contributor in the short term, and fans weren’t as pressed about him developing due to adding other offensive minded players.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

This discussion reminds me of something that Daugherty said last night - that Price was actually better suited to be a 2 guard because of his offensive game. I think that was a reference to his catch and shoot ability, and propensity for finding the open spot on the floor.