ESPN’s Mike Schmitz has been more than pleased with Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Isaac Okor so far.
It’s beginning to look more and more as though Isaac Okoro could end up starting for the Cleveland Cavaliers from the jump. Granted, according to a report from The Athletic‘s Joe Vardon (subscription required), there have been questions from Cavs camp about if Okoro is “big enough” to play the wing.
I personally foresee Okoro being Cleveland’s long-term answer at the starting 3, however, and with the physicality he plays with at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, he should be more than fine in that spot a bunch.
Furthermore, per a report from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, the Cavs’ “primary decision-makers view Okoro as a 3 as opposed to a 2, even though the positions are mostly interchangeable.”
From there, Fedor would hit on how those same Cavs’ primary decision-makers believe Okoro’s “strength and 6-foot-10 wingspan will allow him to defend opposing small forwards.”
Fedor would seemingly highlight how he believes Okoro will end up being Cleveland’s Opening Night starter at the 3, too, and while it’s not serious, really, Cedi Osman’s minor ankle sprain could play a bit into that.
Albeit even with how Osman, who has improved as a three-point shooter (38.3 percent in 2019-20) and had 23 points in Cleveland’s preseason opener, has the experience, Cleveland would frankly be better off going with Okoro in that role, regardless. And while I’ve been a fan of what Dylan Windler has shown, he’s a player that’s seemingly is destined for a bench role.
Windler looked to be a bit hobbled after an awkard landing in Cleveland’s last preseason game at the New York Knicks, regarding the lower left leg where he previously had complications with that kept out of last season, anyhow. But Windler is reportedly fine, per Fedor, and seems to be in-line for a regular rotational role.
Circling back, though, I know it’s just preseason, but Okoro has been terrific, whether he’s been at the 2 or 3, of which he clearly is the most natural.
And along those lines, ESPN NBA Draft Expert Mike Schmitz has been all aboard the Okoro hype train that is seemingly growing more and more. Schmitz recently stated how he believes Okoro could very well be a “dark horse” for the league’s Rookie of the Year, too.
Joined the legend Neil Everett on SportsCenter tonight to talk about Isaac Okoro. After another strong performance tonight vs the Knicks, the Cavs wing is now 5-for-8 from 3, looking like one of the most complete rookies in this class and a potential dark horse ROY candidate. pic.twitter.com/9ndNmN3RJC
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) December 17, 2020
This praise of Okoro from Schmitz speaks volumes to me as a Cavs fan.
Okoro has been killing it thus far for the Cavaliers. It has been preseason, to reiterate, but Okoro has had 14.3 points per outing on 61.9 percent shooting, to go with 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per contest.
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As Schmitz noted, too, he’s hit five of his eight three-point shot attempts, which has been an encouraging sign.
Okoro only hit 28.6 percent of his deep ball tries in his lone collegiate season at Auburn, and while he’s obviously not going to shoot at this preseason clip from deep, him taking them with confidence is a positive.
Heck, Okoro calling for it from the corner was really good to see in Cleveland’s last preseason outing at the Knicks.
In terms of the other game’s other facets, Okoro has looked great as well, and his defensive and transition capabilities, of which Schmitz touched on with Neil Everett of ESPN’s SportsCenter, have been on display.
Moreover, this praise of Okoro by Schmitz and him mentioning how the Auburn product is a “dark horse” ROY candidate speaks volumes to me, and just further drives home how Okoro was such a high quality draft selection by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It’s again only been preseason game action to this point for Isaac, but the 19-year-old has been excellent for the most part. And with how he could help Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, who is dealing with a minor ankle injury but would seem all good for the start of 2020-21, and Kevin Love on both ends, Okoro should be the Opening Night starter at the 3.
I’m on-board with that with Fedor and KJG’s own Matthew Fagan in that realm.
In any case, if Okoro ends up initially starting off the bench, it wouldn’t seem to be for long, and Schmitz’s comments are only more of a seller for him. Either way, it’s evident that Okoro looks to have been an impact pick.