Collin Sexton has the opportunity to make a sizable impact on the Los Angeles Lakers this season. The 6-foot-3 guard, who signed a two-year, $19 million contract with them this summer, is a scoring threat who can handle the ball, facilitate and speed up the pace of the game.
Sexton is also a very energetic, high-motor player who always gives 100% on both ends of the floor. During his first media availability as a member of the Lakers, he was asked about the vision that coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka have for the team and how he can fit into that vision.
“Just toughness,” Sexton said. “I would say the toughness. They wanna be able to compete in all aspects on the defensive side, but also the offensive side and just being able to change the pace of the game whenever it’s needed. I feel like sometimes walking the ball up and letting the other team set up their defense is tough, sometimes you gotta be able to change the flow. We talked and it was a really good conversation and they believe in me. I just feel like at the end of the day, whenever a coach believes in you, and like you said, he’s gonna be hard on me and yell at scream at me, so I like that. I think that’s what gets the best from me.”
Last season, Los Angeles was 20th in defensive rating, 16th in fast-break points and 22nd in pace. One would expect the team’s pace and transition opportunities to increase at least somewhat thanks to the addition of players such as Sexton who can attack off the dribble in the open court. The acquisition of men such as Sexton and forwards Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle, all of whom are adept at coming up with steals, should also help L.A.’s transition game.
Sexton averaged 15.4 points and 3.3 assists in 23.7 minutes a game while shooting 48.5% overall and 40.1% from 3-point range last season. The Lakers would occasionally get blown out in games and seem to almost mail it in this past season, but with a better bench, more youth and more athleticism, they may not happen as much this coming season.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Collin Sexton says Lakers want him to bring toughness
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
