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Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Isaac Okoro continues to believe he should have been the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft in November and remains focused on his arguments for that belief.
Okoro was ranked fifth overall by the Cavaliers, with the rookie believing other teams valued offensive skills more than the defensive skills he brings to the pitch.
“I feel like the defense is undervalued in this league,” Okoro said. “These days I feel like most people are going to look for the score in the box and try to find the offensive stuff. But if you really watch the game and really listen, you can see how much of an impact we have on the defense.
During his brief period in the NBA, Okoro got a quick baptism in defense, showing considerable reach keeping players like Kevin Durant, James Harden and former Cavs forward LeBron James.
Ahead of the draft, Okoro felt he had explained why he should be picked first, an honor that went to University of Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards.
“Yeah. I made that case,” Okoro said. “I feel like coming in, I had a big impact. Growing up, I always had an impact, I always have been a winner and I feel like I’ve always done little things to help a team win. Bounce back, get on the ground, keep the best players like I’m doing right now. “
While the challenge of facing players like Durant, Harden, and James was formidable, Okoro sees his current endeavors as the last stepping stone in his basketball career.
“I feel like I’ve kept good players my whole life,” Okoro said. “Of course, not as good as the NBA players. So playing against these guys is always a learning experience.
“I think I grew up pretty well. During that time when we played in Brooklyn, Boston, Los Angeles… I felt like I learned a lot about how to keep your hands straight, how to learn when an offensive player likes to relax or quit two screens, simply learning his team.
On Wednesday night, he will face Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, Leonard being a player that Okoro has drawn inspiration from during his growth as a player. Okoro said he also modeled his game after Jimmy Butler and Andre Iguodala of the Miami Heat.
Considering Leonard is considered part of the NBA’s defensive elite and has twice won the MVP honors of the Finals, Okoro makes sure that striving to be the best remains a part of his basketball DNA. ball.
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