1 stud and 1 dud for Cavaliers from win over Hawks on Monday

Cavaliers dud: Isaac Okoro

To say the 2022-23 season has gotten off to a rough start for Isaac Okoro might be an understatement.

Okoro did have 13 points on Sunday against Miami, which was the first time he topped 10 points all season.

But, last night Okoro came up with just four points on three shots. He also got into early foul trouble trying to guard Trae Young, which led to more minutes for Cedi and Lamar Stevens.

Okoro had an up-and-down season a year ago but showed flashes on the offensive end of the floor, and his defensive game got him drafted fifth overall back in 2020.

Granted, the makeup of this Cavs team has changed since Okoro joined the Wine and Gold. At the time of drafting him, Okoro was considered a key rotational piece for a rebuilding team.

Now, with Mitchell and Garland doing the heavy lifting on the offensive end, the addition of LeVert and the emergence of Dean Wade on offense has shifted Okoro’s role on that side of the floor.

So, Okoro shouldn’t be relied on to score double digits consistently. That’s not his role on this team. But he needs to be able to knock down the occasional corner shot because he will be on the floor for his defensive skill, and those shots will be there for him with the likes of Mitchell and Garland on the floor.

The Cavaliers will try to extend their win streak to four games on Wednesday night as they welcome in the Portland Trail Blazers.