1 stud and 1 dud from Cavs’ disappointing loss to Warriors on Friday

Cavs Dud: Isaac Okoro goes quiet after hot streak

We would fool ourselves if we said we didn’t expect Isaac Okoro to cool off a bit. After an impressive five-game stretch, he led the team in a three-point percentage (64.3). Remember the overall (72.0) field goal percentage, too. Even the best in the league have off nights, so it was inevitable that this would occur while hoping he continues to rise.

Okoro made his 17th appearance as a starter this season in the Cavs’ return home. He clocked in 22 minutes, shooting 0-of-2 from deep and 2-for-5 at 40 percent from the field, finishing the contest with only four points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal. No. 35 had the worst offensive (106.7) and defensive (137.5) rating among those who checked in the game, which led to Okoro having the lowest net rating (-30.8) of any Cavalier during the sickening loss.

The Okoro naysayers will eat this one up, and I can’t blame them. Isaac was off, a dud, one would say. He looked skittish and unnatural with the ball Friday, whereas of late, you’ve seen a confident ball player coming into his own, making plays left and right.

You can’t ask him to be a takeover at any moment player at this time. He’s not there, and who’s to say he ever reaches that height? So instead, you continue to instill confidence in him and allow him to contribute to the role he’s recently worked himself into. You plan to trade for another consistent piece to help down the stretch and let the kid keep growing.

The young Georgia native will be celebrating his 22nd birthday in Houston as the Cavaliers play the Rockets on Jan. 26 in what will be their second of another three-game road trip. Also, keep an eye on Mitchell’s game status, as the Cavs will face off against the Bucks tonight at 7:30 PM ET back in Cleveland. Beating the Bucks would fire this team up before packing their bags and hopping back on the road.