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

[Cavatt]

That was the offensive performance that while no one expected on a nightly basis as a rookie, we wanted and needed to at least see was in there, both talent and willpower wise.

I think those that are willing to be patient with Okoro will be rewarded. He’s not going to force himself, not going to automatically view himself as a 16-20 shot per game guy. But in year two and especially year three, I think he’ll show more of this assertiveness and not defer by default to the other guys.

If he can do that, plus work himself into a reliable 3P shooter, he can be a very good player.

Definitely a night where you saw him do some things that only very good players do.

Just a flash, but definitely a game you want to see early on.

Darius didn't have a 30 pt game his rookie year by the way.

When you see it, he has it. He doesn't do things he isn't capable of. He did a couple of things that were wild tonight. Acrobatic off the backboard finishes, keeping his dribble after slipping and making an assist, crossover step back 3, and drawing fouls on repeated possessions.

Eurostep looks really good. Guy is going to get stronger, and if he can improve that dribble...

Passing game was on point. Pretty clear he can pass out of the double. He has to improve his dribble enough to consistently draw one.

He showed a little bit of everything including his immaturity tonight. Sick game to show why he was the #5

 

[MirORich]

100% yes. These are the flashes you love to see. Especially the shot to tie the game at 114 during our last 4th Q possession. I'm still firmly high on Okoro and I think he has the chance to build himself in to a Jimmy Butler-type talent.

If he keeps on having games like this, we’ll all have to chip in and send Olga over his way for his next birthday,

Until I hear otherwise, I think he’s the consummate teammate. He’s not putting his own needs and own personality out at the front of things as a rookie. But I think once he feels like he’s earned that right by knowing what it means to play full NBA season, his personality, competitiveness, emotion, and assertiveess will grow a lot. Its conjecture but I believe it.

 

[DCTribefan]

Those raving about one good game from Okoro, please tell us how the Cavs can start him, Sexton and Garland in the same lineup?

 

[OptimusPrime]

Those raving about one good game from Okoro, please tell us how the Cavs can start him, Sexton and Garland in the same lineup?

It's easy actually. They've been doing it all year.

 

[kidduck]

I love how he attacks the rim.

He now has 6+ FTs in 5 of the last 6 games.

 

[DCTribefan]

It's easy actually. They've been doing it all year.

Yeah, 21-win team too. Try a thoughtful reply next time.

 

[Deezus]

Those raving about one good game from Okoro, please tell us how the Cavs can start him, Sexton and Garland in the same lineup?

Honest question: Why does this even matter at this point? The team is 23 games below .500 and 2 1/2 games out of the worst record in the ECF. If I'm building a team, at this point, I'm less concerned with fit and more concerned with getting the best players possible, facilitating their growth, maximizing their potential, etc... the "fit" can come later. Maybe Sexton moves to 6th man. Maybe Garland or Sexton needs to be traded for a fair return. Regardless, Okoro appears to be the real-deal athletically/talent-wise, and he seems to have the attitude to match it.

I don't expect this team to contend for at least 2 (more likely 3) years... so WGAF if they can start their last 3 1st rounders together when they're all 22 or younger?!

 

[MirORich]

Those raving about one good game from Okoro, please tell us how the Cavs can start him, Sexton and Garland in the same lineup?

Well it starts by acknowledging that experience matters. What it looked like earlier in the sEason when Okoro was playing his 20th game as a pro and Garland still hadn’t hit 82 games as a pro isn’t necessarily indicative of what it would look like when all three have 300+ games of experience together plus a long term answer at PF or combo forward is there(Kuminga, Cunningham or Barnes perhaps)

But more importantly, who cares. We don’t need to have all the answers in May of 2021. Let them all continue to develop and continue to add young talent to the mix.

Right now, there is no one on the roster that necessitates pushing one of the 3 to the bench or worse yet giving up on one of them and trading them for peanuts before they’ve shown their full capabilities.

 

[DCTribefan]

Honest question: Why does this even matter at this point? The team is 23 games below .500 and 2 1/2 games out of the worst record in the ECF. If I'm building a team, at this point, I'm less concerned with fit and more concerned with getting the best players possible, facilitating their growth, maximizing their potential, etc... the "fit" can come later. Maybe Sexton moves to 6th man. Maybe Garland or Sexton needs to be traded for a fair return. Regardless, Okoro appears to be the real-deal athletically/talent-wise, and he seems to have the attitude to match it.

I don't expect this team to contend for at least 2 (more likely 3) years... so WGAF if they can start their last 3 1st rounders together?!

Guess you’re content to watch shitty, losing basketball for three more years since building a team apparently doesn’t matter.

 

[Cassity14]

Guess you’re content to watch shitty, losing basketball for three more years since building a team apparently doesn’t matter.

Damn man, somebody pissed in your Cheerios.

If the Cavs can't start all 3 long term, don't you want to see them play in a way to increase their value? Okoro did that tonight.

 

[DCTribefan]

Lots of gushing excitement tonight for a guy averaging 11.8 points and 3.3 rebounds over the past month.

 

[MirORich]

Guess you’re content to watch shitty, losing basketball for three more years since building a team apparently doesn’t matter.

Trading away guys before they’ve even hit their early primes is certainly not how “team building“ works either.

At the current moment, there is no reason for Sexton, Garland, and Okoro not to all start and grow together.

As more time passes and more young talent is added to the team, there may come a time to question what the best. starting five configuration is.

Its way before that time.

 

[MirORich]

Lots of gushing excitement tonight for a guy averaging 11.8 points and 3.3 rebounds over the past month.

Do you think those are bad numbers for a rookie?
Did you even watch the game tonight?

Edit: self removed unnecessary piss and vinegar call out

 

[Deezus]

Guess you’re content to watch shitty, losing basketball for three more years since building a team apparently doesn’t matter.

Honest question: How long do you think it takes to conclusively decide a player/draft pick's role on a team? I think the idea that Okoro/Sexton/Garland cant start together is crazy-premature at this point. Sexton is in year 3 as the "elder" of the 3. Do you have them all pegged/figured out? Seems like we need to see them develop longer and see what we have before we make any decisions.

Also... We are 100% going to watch some losing seasons for at least a few more years. Welcome to reality in the NBA as a small-market team. Without the ability to lure FA's, we need to suck in order to build talent through the draft. Thankfully, I think all 3 of our last top picks have proven to be worthy of the investment.

 

[DCTribefan]

Honest question: How long do you think it takes to conclusively decide a player/draft pick's role on a team? I think the idea that Okoro/Sexton/Garland cant start together is crazy-premature at this point. Sexton is in year 3 as the "elder" of the 3. Do you have them all pegged/figured out? Seems like we need to see them develop longer and see what we have before we make any decisions...

Completely agree patience is needed but I am truly mystified at the posters ready to anoint Okoro a future building block based on one excellent game.