Cleveland, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) - The knock on Isaac Okoro coming out of the NBA Draft was a developing offensive game, despite the potential to be a lockdown defender right away.
If the rookie’s offensive game is honestly still “developing” then the journey to the finished product should be fun to watch if the first two preseason games are any indication for the Cavaliers as Okoro has been at the center of the Wine and Gold’s 2 wins including Monday night’s 116-106 victory over Indiana.
“The ability to translate so quickly from college to the NBA is a gift, he’s been everything we though he could be,” said JB Bickerstaff after Monday’s win. “Defensively he’s physical, he’s active, he keeps people in front of him, and he can get through screens. Then his offensive game, he’s always on balance and never in a hurry, being able to knock down the shot when he’s open, put pressure on the rim, and he’s a really good passer so we are extremely excited about the future with Isaac.”
The Auburn product scored a quick 8 points in the first quarter against the Pacers Monday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Okoro did so with a tough rebound/put back amongst the bigs, showed off an improving 3 point shot burying one behind the arc, and flexed impressive muscle with an And 1 before ending up with 15 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds in the win.
The rookie also caught the attention of backup point guard Dante Exum who led the Cavaliers with 23 points Monday.
“Coming in I didn’t know much about him but obviously he’s impressed me a lot just in training camp what he’s shown, even when he was defending me, he’s a strong kid so I think he’s hopefully going to have a long career in the league and once he starts learning to use his body, it’s going to be free baskets every time.”
Okoro also picked up an assist after finding Dylan Windler for an open three of his own. Winder, like Okoro, is out to show he’s not just a lunch-pail player and put in an all-around effort for the Wine and Gold Monday night versus Indy. The guard/forward out of Belmont, who missed his true rookie season last year with a leg injury, connected from long distance, shined during the breakaway with a two-handed slam, and dished out four helpers.
“The intangibles that he does every single night, he makes your team better,” said Bickerstaff. “All the little things, those extra passes that he makes, the cuts that he makes, the deflections that he gets, the rebounds that he gets on both ends of the floor, all those things are keys to winning basketball games.”
“Dylan’s really good at finding space to get his shot off and he’s known as a shooter but he’s not just trying to shoot every time, he willing to get everyone involved,” said Exum who knows a little about passing since he led the Wine and Gold with 5 assists. “With his height and ability to shoot, it’s just going to make him get past people and find the open man.”
The development of these two youngsters is one of the keys to how long it will take for the Cavs to turn back into a playoff team in an Eastern Conference where the bottom of the postseason bracket could be within reach but the top is filled with teams stacked on the wing.
Another key to the Wine and Gold turning into winners is Andre Drummond as the big man has to either play well either to flip a the trade deadline to a contender or be an offensive force coach JB Bicketstaff and crew can build around for the future. Drummond was able to bully his way to 17 points, 11 boards, and 3 blocks Monday night but Domantas Sabonis could not be bottled up as he led the Pacers with 18 points and 9 rebounds against Drummond.
The Wine and Gold hit the road Wednesday and Friday for matchups with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden before tipping off their regular season Wednesday, December 23rd hosting the Hornets.