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

[Beanie4Heisman]

But the question is, should the Cavs even try to keep him?

I can understand the belief that a coaching change would benefit him, but I remain unconvinced. He's still the 4th best SG on this team and if Emoni develops the way we all hope he does, that will be another guy that should be playing ahead of Isaac.

If he was 3-4 inches taller I'd be all for it as the prototypical 3 and D wing off the bench, but he isnt.

Seconded.

He's not a 3 & D wing.

He doesn't shoot when it matters most, can only impact positions 1-3 effectively on D.

So often he plays great positionally then just gets shot over top of to end a defensive possession. Then he just doesn't rebound the ball on either end.

 

[Futuredome]

He is a bully 2 guard that would fit in well besides 2 creators. Said that 3 years ago.

 

[DocSaric]

Did they ever clean up that spot on the floor where he shit his pants while wide open for a key 3?

 

[I'mWithDan]

He is a bully 2 guard that would fit in well besides 2 creators. Said that 3 years ago.

I’d love for someone else, other than the Cavs, to try out that idea on for size.

 

[WorldWideWoe]

We wouldn't even know his name if he played for any other team. He's a vet minimum player. An anachronistic JBB wet dream who "plays hard." More heart than talent. I'd let him walk if he wants anything more than 8th man money.

 

[WorldWideWoe]

Seconded.

He's not a 3 & D wing.

He doesn't shoot when it matters most, can only impact positions 1-3 effectively on D.

So often he plays great positionally then just gets shot over top of to end a defensive possession. Then he just doesn't rebound the ball on either end.

You've identified why I think he's massively overrated on defense. He is an excellent defender with his feet and positioning, but is very low impact with his hands. Every superlative defensive guard his size is a menace in both stripping the ball and altering shots. Though he's often out of position for them, I'd expect to see more defensive rebounds.

Similar to the 82 versus 16 game players idea, Okoro is a 20 second shot clock defender, not 24 like a Mobley.

 

[Kouki]

Idk, there have been many possessions in this series where he had completely shut down Banchero. Doesn't appear in stats because Banchero is forced to pass out and not even attempt a shot. With Okoro I have always said that you can make up for a lack of length with positioning. If his feet are in a better position by two inches, all of a sudden he's two inches taller. When tasked with shutting down Banchero in clutch time in game 5, IIRC he did a fine job.

Yeah of course sometimes that is not enough and Banchero can shoot over him, but that's really not any different than Banchero hitting tough buckets over everybody this series.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Idk, there have been many possessions in this series where he had completely shut down Banchero. Doesn't appear in stats because Banchero is forced to pass out and not even attempt a shot. With Okoro I have always said that you can make up for a lack of length with positioning. If his feet are in a better position by two inches, all of a sudden he's two inches taller. When tasked with shutting down Banchero in clutch time in game 5, IIRC he did a fine job.

Yeah of course sometimes that is not enough and Banchero can shoot over him, but that's really not any different than Banchero hitting tough buckets over everybody this series.

Game 7 could come down to whether Okoro can semi-neutralize Banchero while also hitting a couple of 3's and a couple of transition layups.

The problem is he's too short to contest Banchero's mid-range jumper and Banchero is strong enough to back Isaac down and get to his preferred spot at the elbow.

 

[WorldWideWoe]

Idk, there have been many possessions in this series where he had completely shut down Banchero. Doesn't appear in stats because Banchero is forced to pass out and not even attempt a shot. With Okoro I have always said that you can make up for a lack of length with positioning. If his feet are in a better position by two inches, all of a sudden he's two inches taller. When tasked with shutting down Banchero in clutch time in game 5, IIRC he did a fine job.

Yeah of course sometimes that is not enough and Banchero can shoot over him, but that's really not any different than Banchero hitting tough buckets over everybody this series.

For sure. Preventing guys from getting to their spots is one of the most important parts of defense and he's been able to do that with Banchero at times.

 

[CleveRocks]

Branchero is a horse.. if the refs swallow the whistle it is tough to stop him from banging into the lane.. Isaac is strong, but not sure he can prevent Poalo from getting to the paint without help.. this is where we really miss wade..

 

[Kouki]

Game 7 could come down to whether Okoro can semi-neutralize Banchero while also hitting a couple of 3's and a couple of transition layups.

The problem is he's too short to contest Banchero's mid-range jumper and Banchero is strong enough to back Isaac down and get to his preferred spot at the elbow.

I'm saying he has shown the capability to literally stop Banchero from even taking a shot attempt. He did that at least twice in clutch time in game 6. Unfortunately between those possessions he passed up an incredibly wide open 3.

 

[Cavatt]

I haven't changed on him. Can't shoot shots when he doesn't get attempts. Ball hasn't moved for several games. We saw over and over they can get a good shot of they get to 2nd and 3rd options and they don't even try. Iso over and over against good defenders.

If you want roleplayers involved they have to get touches

 

[Thelastcavsfan]

Was amazing on defense and did enough offensively. Banchero had the points, but took a million shots and worked for everything

 

[MrX]

Okoro was an absolute bulldog today. Team high +24

 

[MirORich]

We wouldn't even know his name if he played for any other team. He's a vet minimum player. An anachronistic JBB wet dream who "plays hard." More heart than talent. I'd let him walk if he wants anything more than 8th man money.

While there certainly is a limit on how much he should be paid, he is a Swiss knife on defense, is still super young, has tangibly improved several skills progressively(albeit slowly) from season to season.

His three buckets today were all on agressive drives to the bucket and although he missed both threes tonight he did the right think by quickly taking the open three. There was a bad late in the shot clock decision when first he then Mobley hesitated to take shots they needed to take that led to a 24 second violation.

He can’t control how high he was drafted or the hopes and expectations that come with that. But you acting like he’s Lamar Stevens is either an emotional reaction to a bad game 6 or a sign that you’re not interested in being genuinely honest about his incremental development.