Carry the ball, finish in the circle, penalize in “catch-and-shoot” or when the defender comes out on him… These were the areas of work ofIsaac Okoro this summer. The Cavs winger, initially renowned for his defense, seems to have focused on the offensive aspect of his game.
And it's no coincidence. “ They talked to me about a new role, not being a guy who gets stuck in the corner and waiting for shots, but a guy who moves without the ball, who cuts, who sets screens, who goes to the rim , who creates. In summary, do a variety of things », Lists the player recently extended for three years.
According to the 23-year-old, new manager Kenny Atkinson “ doesn't want the offense to be stagnant, with people staying around. He wants the ball to be moving, people to cut and move. I love this. »
A speech which seriously resembles that displayed by JB Bickerstaff ahead of last season, the coach at the time seeking to integrate Donovan Mitchell into a moving attack. For the sole case of Isaac Okoro, Kenny Atkinson thinks that the Cavs must “ diversify your game “.
Finish on the pick-and-roll
“ He is above all a defender, that is his strength. We will therefore focus on this point. Then, we will use him as a cutting player, more like a player capable of slashing and cutting, with a presence on the offensive rebound. These are two areas where you can improve your game », aims the new coach.
The winger would no longer have to settle for waiting behind the 3-point line where he took nearly half of his shots. With great success last year: 39%, a career record (49% in general). “ And I would say the last thing to do is use him on the pick-and-roll as a screen setter », Adds Kenny Atkinson.
Which can lead to practicing a reverse “pick-and-roll” where the inside, usual screen-setter, finds himself taking advantage of it. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley both mentioned after camp started that Evan Mobley was used more with the ball in those situations. Isaac Okoro could therefore have to finish in the circle.
“ He has enough talent. I think we need to put him in the right positions so he can improve his game », finishes his coach.
| Isaac Okoro | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | KEY | 67 | 32 | 42.0 | 29.0 | 72.6 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 9.6 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 67 | 30 | 48.0 | 35.0 | 76.8 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 8.8 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 76 | 22 | 49.4 | 36.3 | 75.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 6.5 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 69 | 27 | 49.0 | 39.1 | 67.9 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 9.4 |
| Total | 279 | 28 | 46.7 | 34.7 | 73.2 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 8.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
