Cavs Swingman Stepping Up As A Starter
The only way that the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to stay afloat while they wait to get healthy is by doing so as a team and having different players step up. One player whose role has changed since Darius Garland and Evan Mobley were sidelined is Isaac Okoro.
Okoro was propelled into the starting lineup to fill the void left by his teammates' injuries. He's playing some of his best basketball of the season which has caught the eyes of everyone, including J.B. Bickerstaff.
"I think he's done a little bit of everything for us," said Bickerstaff, "We know how he impacts the game on the defensive end of the floor, but I think if you see offensively - making shots, driving, finding his teammates - I think he's shown a diversity to his offensive game as well."
Dec 16, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) hits a three point basket during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Since December 16, Okoro has averaged 12.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds a game while shooting 52% from the floor and 36% from behind the arc. Again, all of this while playing a high level of defense on the opponent's best scorer.
Bickerstaff went on to say that the team has always encouraged him to be a playmaker on offense and not just look to shoot corner threes. Now with some of the Cavaliers' biggest playmakers sidelined, Okoro has the opportunity and confidence to take the role on himself.
The Cavs are still set to be without Garland and Mobley for the foreseeable future which means Okoro will continue to get more opportunities as a creator on offense. Cleveland can become an even more dangerous team if he can continue to do this even when they are healthy.
