Cavs Player Grades: More shot flashes from Okoro in ’23, defense still key

Through three seasons, when generally discussing the play of Isaac Okoro for the Cleveland Cavaliers, one is going to first talk about his defense. When Okoro was selected fifth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers, it was for his perimeter defense.

Okoro is probably always going to be mostly known for his play on the defensive end of the floor, where he’s steadily gotten better there, and his ball pressure has helped set the tone for the Cavaliers there.

Now, naturally, Cleveland’s starting frontcourt players in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are going to garner plenty of the attention for their work for the Cavaliers’ top-ranked defense, with their versatility, length and IQ.

That’s to be expected for those two, who are the pillars for the Wine and Gold there, but players like Okoro, Lamar Stevens, Dean Wade and Caris LeVert have all aided Cleveland’s on-ball defense on the perimeter, too, which shouldn’t be glossed over. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have been very timely rotators as well, from there.

Circling back to Okoro, here, though, the defense is the constant with him, in what Cleveland is expecting him to provide game-to-game. Offensively, there’s much to be desired, on the other end, that is.

To his credit, Okoro did show some real growth on the offensive end as the season progressed for the Cavaliers, and after an especially rough beginning to the season there, he did pick things up as a catch-and-shoot threat, and got better as a finisher.

So, how did Ice grade out this season for the Cavs? Let’s dive in.

In our next edition of KJG Cavs Player Grades, we’ll evaluate Okoro here, beginning with play offensively.