An early conversation with Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff helped 19-year-old rookie Isaac Okoro control his first-game jitters and secure a 107-104 preseason win on Saturday, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes.
Okoro, who scored 18 points (including 16 in the fourth quarter), converted an and-one layup with 0.3 seconds left to help the team defeat the Pacers. He also impressed the franchise with his defensive work, guarding the likes of Malcolm Brogdon, Victor Oladipo and Aaron Holiday throughout the game.
“I wanted him to shoot the ball every time he was open. Pretty simple,” Bickerstaff said of what he told Okoro. “Obviously he’s capable of making shots. I think he was uncomfortable in those moments, still trying to search and catch a rhythm. But I wanted him to have the confidence and I wanted his teammates to give him that confidence as well that when he’s open, take those shots, knock those shots down and then the rest of the game opens up.
“He had an opportunity to take shots early on that I thought he turned down. Because of his ability to attack the rim and high level-finishing, if people have to press up on him, he’s going to be a nightmare to guard.”
Okoro and the Cavaliers will play Indiana at home for a second straight time on Monday, then travel to New York to play the Knicks on Wednesday. The team’s final preseason contest will commence on Friday against New York.
There’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Pistons have hired Travon Bryant as an assistant coach with a focus on player development, his agency, Career Sports & Entertainment, announced on social media. Bryant spent the past three seasons serving as an assistant with the Nets.
- Wizards guard Ish Smith is dealing with lower body soreness, coach Scott Brooks said, as relayed by Ava Wallace of the Washington Post. Smith missed the team’s first preseason game against the Nets on Sunday, with Brooks expecting the soreness to heal in the coming days.
- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer examines the Hornets‘ preseason game from Saturday, along with the debuts of both LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward. Ball went scoreless and registered four turnovers in 16 minutes off the bench, but he also grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out four assists and made multiple highlight plays. Hayward scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds in 19 minutes, shooting 4-of-8 from the floor.
I thought Ball and Hayward both looked good for a first game. How they blew that lead though…I haven’t nary a clue. Guess is just pre season. And your up against Doctor Nurse the tactical surgeon.
You don’t have a clue how they blew their first quarter lead? Ok lol.
Tonight Knicks have Four of a Kind
Field goal
Toppin 1-9
Knox 1-6
Smith Jr 1-5
Frank 1-4
Total points 11 at 24 field goal
Posters say, you can’t tell Ball is transformative like a guard should be who is at the top of prospects but hasn’t shot well yet. I say, yes you can and I did and the winners in the draft will eventually be winners in league play.
Lamelo will make it and team up well with Hayward for a decent Hornet season, prob not playoff-qualifying yet. GH was reasonably efficient.
One game, and they gassed themselves out building a 25-6 lead and committed 23 turnovers in a loss to the Raptors. Am I overconfident in Lamelo?— probably, but it seemed like HR posters could not wait to show their edginess in blasting him.
He does sound immature, but has the good excuse of youth.
I have also been one of the few here that speaks well of him. Obviously when Lonzo was with the Lakers I had to trash him, but he has gotten a lot better since he joined the Pelicans. LaMelo will take time to develop like his brother did, but if he’s as good as they say the Hornets definitely made the right choice (unlike the team that took Wiseman at #2).
I know it’s been just one preseason game… but Okoro looked like a veteran out there! Who cares about his box score (which looked great), his defensive and lateral quickness is a sight to behold. I know that Oladipo is on a huge decline, but Isaac made him look like a rotation player at best.
Ball is not a PG in the NBA. Physically I didn’t think he’d be ready for at least 3 yrs. But his 10 rebs and play showed he does not back down. Good sign. Lonzo is a real PG cause he can defend the PG. Mello has to develop his shot. Considering his growth spurt. It’s going to take awhile for him to get comfortable. It’s what I see. He’s further ahead than I thought. There’s no need to rush him. But I think you need to start thinking of him as a wing. Definitely has the good vision. Lonzo took three yrs to get here. And he still hasn’t done it for a yr. Mello will get better as he matures into his body. I’ve seen players get physically better, more athletic. In NBA cause they worked and were high IQ. Curry is on of those. Can Mello be, we’ll see.
Okoro is the real stuff. I kind of thought we might get him. Cause I was sure Toppin would be gone. Even to Cavs I thought. Okoro reminds me of Butler. Plays smart and both ways. His D is ahead of his O right now. But with the competition he will just get better. Smart pick by Cavs.
I was watching Oladipo closely. Cause you know he could be traded. I know it’s too early. But he was comfortable staying on the sides. Really didn’t push the situation. Was not aggressive at all. I know he’s someone Knicks were looking at. So I’m keeping my eye on him. I hope he’s healthy for his sake.
Ball might make too many turnovers and he doesn’t have the precision of a Monte Morris. Maybe there’s a stamina issue? But he can get a team going.
Okoro should get great mileage with powerful legs. I wonder if he can keep ppl like Olidipo out of the lane.