Cleveland Cavaliers: Official midseason report cards
By Tony Pesta
Isaac Okoro’s midseason grade: C+
There has been quite a bit of frustration from fans who are displeased with Isaac Okoro’s raw offensive game and unimpressive averages. However, for those watching closely, Okoro is flashing immense potential every night.
No one should have expected Okoro to be a skilled scorer as a rookie. He was an underwhelming offensive threat in Auburn and he hasn’t had much time to adjust to the NBA level yet at only 20 years of age.
This doesn’t mean he hasn’t found success in spurts. Okoro is effective in transition, using a series of euro steps and scoop layups to finish around defenders. He has a soft touch and uses spin-off the glass well, though I wish he’d let his athleticism show and rise above the rim for dunks more often.
His broad shoulders and muscular frame help him bulldoze through smaller defenders to the rim. Okoro is built like a tank and this offers him the potential to carve out a game in the post or learn to muscle his way to the rim frequently.
The defensive end is where he really shines. While the advanced analytics don’t favor him (in part to playing on an overall bad defensive team), Okoro has taken on the role of lead defender. This is a rare situation for a rookie and he’s been welcomed to the NBA by defending the likes of Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Even so, he’s held his own on most nights. Whether it’s stonewalling elite ball handlers like James Harden and Trae Young or exploding to the rim for chase-down blocks – Okoro has the makings of an All-NBA Defender one day.
The path to success for Okoro is clear. Improve his ball handle and increase his 3-point accuracy (currently shooting 31.0 percent) and the rest of his game will work itself out.