The Cleveland Cavaliers finished another successful week with a 3-1 record with a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and three straight wins against the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Sacramento Kings.
The team has found sound consistency once again these past few weeks with more depth. Many players on the team like Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen had their usual production this season helping lead the way, but the Cavaliers Player of the Week will go to Isaac Okoro.
Okoro is the Cavs Player of the Week for this past week’s slate of games from Dec. 6-12.
After the Collin Sexton injury earlier this season, it was uncertain who would start beside Garland at the 2 guard spot. While Okoro made sense because of his value and position, I was concerned originally about the flow of the offense with this tall lineup.
For now, it seems like those concerns have been erased, as he has done a fine job filling that shooting guard spot as he’s settled in more. Okoro had an off night offensively against the Bucks in the loss on Monday but played great in the three wins.
Isaac averaged 15 points across the three wins with a great performance against the Kings with 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals against the Kings, while shooting 2-of-3 from deep in 29 minutes.
Okoro’s role changed this year, as he went from a heavily-played rookie guarding the opposing team’s best player every night in his rookie season with little help around him, to having more help, and the likes of both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen behind him. Ricky Rubio at times has aided Okoro/lessened his defensive burden, too.
Okoro seemed to struggle some early on and missed some time as well due to injury for the Cleveland Cavaliers, in fairness, and there are nights where Okoro can struggle with his offense still. However, he’s found his fit more as he’s gotten more experience with the rest of the starters.
I was confident in his defense, but his ability to fit into this offense in the starting offense more than before has been very encouraging for him going forward. He has fit the role and has provided great scoring in transition, and appears to be more aggressive in that sense as he’s settled in.
It was reported before the season by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com that some within the Cavaliers believe his long term spot is at shooting guard, and it seems like it is a good fit for the time being. The team could seemingly look to add guard depth, but the investment they make likely largely depends on Okoro’s development and play going forward. It is an opportunity to earn the starting role permanently for him.
As mentioned above Garland and Allen played phenomenal again this week, as a side note. Allen averaged 19.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game on the week and Garland averaged 15.5 points and 10.0 assists per game. The two have continued to lead this team this season.