Cavs Player Grades: More shot flashes from Okoro in ’23, defense still key
By Dan Gilinsky
Evaluating Okoro’s 2022-23 defensive play
Okoro’s proven to be one of the Cavaliers best defenders as he’s gotten more experience in recent seasons with the team. He was effective last season in his role on that end, and this season, his tenacity in making opponents work so hard for their looks on the perimeter has been one of the key reasons for Cleveland’s success.
Okoro’s regularly been in primary coverage against opponent’s significant perimeter offensive options, and his improvements in screen navigation and shot contests have factored into his continual strides made defensively.
Now, objectively, against some bigger wings, Lamar Stevens and Dean Wade are more viable, from a length perspective. But Okoro, for the most part, has been an integral part of Cleveland’s defense this season, with the ball pressure he’s applied on the perimeter against lead guards and go-to scoring wings, and he’s done a better job of recovering when needed.
Additionally, Okoro deserves his share of credit for his growth as an off-ball defender over the course of his third season. He could still improve when it comes to some contests of movement shooters, however, he has had some big plays for the Cavaliers when it comes to deflections and he’s had some impressive weak side blocks.
In his role, Okoro is not going to have the raw steal numbers of some others, but his steal and block rate both seeing an uptick to 1.7 percent in his third year has been a further sign of off-ball growth defensively. He’s done a solid job of tagging cutters as a rotator as well, which has deterred some easy baskets at times, to that point.
On multiple fronts, Okoro’s been impactful for the Cavaliers on defense, and hopefully, he can eventually be able to go in the Cavaliers first-round series against the New York Knicks. He’s missed Cleveland’s past five contests due to knee soreness, which had reportedly been lingering for quite some time prior to that as well.
Okoro’s 2022-23 defensive grade: B+
Lastly, we’ll rationalize our overall grading for Ice.
Examining Okoro’s overall play
Okoro has been a crucial player for the Cavaliers on the defensive end this season, and as the year has worn on, there were more shooting flashes from him.
However, looking onward, it would be sensible for Cleveland to look to potentially upgrade the 3 position, particularly if LeVert is not back. Okoro playing legit minutes can make a difference for the Cavaliers defense, clearly, but he still needs to improve offensively for him to solidify being a long-term piece, let alone starter. Those are some of the reasons why a potential extension number for him is difficult to project.
Even having said that, it’s evident he has value within Cleveland’s rotation, and he still is only 22. Another offseason could help.
Next. 3 reasons Wade should keep starting if Okoro remains out. dark