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When it comes to this year’s NBA rookie class, things have to be taken with a grain of salt. The NBA Draft 2020 was held just over a month ago in what turns into a season never seen due to coronavirus pandemic. This group of youngsters were not able to experience playing Summer League until they got to experience basketball at the NBA level and instead were smuggled into training camp and preseason play. So it’s known that pain will continue to grow with this crop of players and you’ve seen it so far with the up and down play of rockets like Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball.
However, the exception to presentation is somewhat abstract from some of the rookie players so far. Isaac Okoro, who selected the Cleveland Cavaliers in fifth place out of Auburn, has made a strong impact in preseason play. In four games, Okoro scored an average of 11.3 points on a 50.0% shot to join 2.3 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Not only has his statistically strong rounds made an impact, but so has his maturity and ability as an NBA player.
“Isaac has been great,” Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland said. “He’s very active on both ends of the floor. He’s taking pictures – he’s been widely criticized for coming into the league saying he can’t make scenes. But, as you can see he makes shots, three corners, gets to the edge, he defends Victor Oladipo. I mean, it’s doing me good. ”
What Garland says about Okoro is true. Coming out of Auburn, Okoro was not considered a reliable three-point hunter and that would limit his offensive side in the NBA. However, with the luxury of playing alongside All-Stars like Kevin Love and Andre Drummond alongside three-point scorers like Garland, Collin Sexton and Dylan Windler gives Okoro something he never had in college: space. He also took a bit of confidence from his players but Okoro has been able to show that he is a much better three-point hunter than his college numbers have managed and is on 45.5% of the attempts his turn with the Cavaliers. Getting that luxury in their rookie just solves Cleveland’s offense further, and that’s more than expected to offend Okoro.
“Coming in, I didn’t know much about it,” Cleveland guard Dante Exum said. “But, of course it has had a huge impact on me. Just in training camp what he has shown me is a strong child. So I think he hopes for a long career in the league. As soon as he starts using his body and knows where he can use his body, he is going to be free baskets every time. We’ve put pressure on him to kick the ball forward and I think that’s part of the reason. If we can kick him forward, he is fast enough to go downhill and strong enough to go against the strongest ones. ”
The safest thing to translate for Okoro from college is his upside-down defense. While with Auburn, Okoro averaged close to stealing and blocking every game. He was also Auburn ‘s most versatile shield defender – and he showed the potential to be someone you can put on an opponent’ s best offensive player. With the Cavaliers, he has done so far defending the likes of Victor Oladipo, Malcom Brogdon and RJ Barrett.
“Again, you’re talking about the status of the opponent,” Cleveland head coach JB Bickerstaff said after his preseason win over the Indiana Pacers. “You talk about his ability to stay ahead, the case on screens, committing various unprecedented offenses against the best players on the planet. When you look at it and score it, that’s what everyone is talking about. Because it stands out for a man who is at that high level of employer, that high level of selective appearance, and they rarely make excellent defensive and boast a head floor protection. These people usually get high scores or offensive weapons. ”
“I don’t think I can talk about it again, man. I’ve said too much about it because I don’t want to keep raising my head, ”said Cavaliers great Andre Drummond. “He’s an amazing player and very clever, first of all. He knows the game and is ready for the NBA and his body is ready. There’s not a lot of work he needs to do other than just be patient with himself and just learn the NBA pace of the game. It just gets better and better every day. It’s so interesting to see it grow and for it to use me as a crutch and asking me for advice makes me feel good. ”
According to Action Network, Okoro is currently at the eighth best odds to win Rookie of the Year next season at +2000. If he started, those chances would only improve with the steady, albeit steady, preseason play. With so many rewards from the players and his coach, Okoro seems to have done more than enough to earn a starting spot on opening night against the Charlotte Hornets. He is the only player ahead of Cedi Osman, who is ideally suited to become a high-powered athletic wing off the bench for Cleveland. The Cavaliers already have plenty of offensive firepower in their starting unit, so it only makes more sense to add Okoro as a defensive option to add to them.