Isaac Okoro Explains Why He Felt More Comfortable In Cavs' First Preseason Game

Cleveland Cavaliers fourth-year swingman Isaac Okoro feels the team's new playstyle offensively will be beneficial to his strengths.

On Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally got to compete against players who weren't inside their own walls. Fourth-year swingman Isaac Okoro couldn't wait to hit the hardwood to put his and the team’s work to the test against an actual opponent.

“With your teammates, you know all their strengths, you know the plays they're running, so you can cheat a little,” Okoro said after Wednesday’s training camp practice. “When you play against a different team, you don't know what plays they're running all the time, so it helps to go up against somebody different."

Oct 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) brings the ball up the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Back in his hometown of Atlanta, the 22-year-old blew everyone on the floor away. Okoro registered a 19-point night on 6-for-8 from the field to lead all scorers in the game. He did a little bit of everything — taking advantage of the corners, sprinting down the floor, cutting and — most impactfully — finishing at the point of attack.

“We're starting to play fast this year, so I was just trying to run in transition and get some easy baskets. And from there, my outside game is starting to show,” Okoro said. “Having the ball in my hands a little bit more gives me more confidence to shoot the ball.

“I've been playing [in transition] all my life. When I first got here, we played a little more slow, half-court, so it was kind of hard making the adjustment. Now that we're playing faster, it plays to my strengths, playing downhill, getting to the basket… It's being explosive, getting to the basket, playmaking, finding the bigs, finding open three-point shots. Not just running and putting up quick threes. It's [doing it with] a purpose.”

Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been looking forward to seeing how Okoro would fare in a more rapid offensive environment, and Cleveland’s first preseason game showed what it could truly look like.