Cleveland Cavaliers rookie guard Collin Sexton is just two weeks into his NBA career, with few positives to show for the effort. The University of Alabama product’s new team has started the season 0-6 and just fired its head coach, Tyronn Lue.
When Sexton was drafted by the Cavaliers, both LeBron James and Lue were still a part of the organization. Despite the fact that both are now gone, Sexton is realistic and remains positive:
“Nobody envisioned it like this. We try to come in and win games but we started off with a rough start. We just gotta pick it up.”
Sexton doesn’t turn 20 years of age until January, but has already gotten a dose of the reality of business in the NBA. He’s relied on the Cavaliers’ veterans to help adapt to the changing circumstances:
“They just said, ‘Things happen, but we’ve got to control what we can control and that’s what’s on the basketball court.'”
A major problem the Cavaliers are now facing is being without power forward Kevin Love for at least the next month. Sexton is ready to help try and fill that huge gap:
“We gotta pick up his load just because he brings so much to the game and so much to our team. We just gotta make sure we step up and fill those shoes.”
Cavs general manager Koby Altman believes that Sexton can weather this current chaos and go on to be the player the team envisioned when he was selected with the eighth overall pick last June:
“He’s getting a lesson in the NBA very, very fast. But listen, this is part of it. It’s part of the business. He has to roll with it. This is a kid that has incredible work ethic. Shows up every day and works. He controls what he can control and that’s a lesson that someone taught him very early on. He keeps his attitude, keeps his work ethic and it’s the same guy every day.”
Given the current woes of the Cavaliers, the lack of attention they’re now receiving could allow Sexton the chance to develop his game without constantly being under a media microscope. That might be one of the few positives to emerge from this current situation.
