The addition of guard Collin Sexton is expected to give a big boost to the Los Angeles Lakers bench, which was one of the worst in the NBA last season. Sexton thrived in a reserve role last season and is an excellent scorer and playmaker who can play both on and off the ball. He will likely be doing more of the latter now that he is sharing the court with superstar Luka Doncic.
Of course, Doncic will be having the ball in his hands more than anyone for the Lakers, and Sexton knows he will benefit from that, but also believes what he brings will help Doncic as well.
“Luka is a tremendous player,” Sexton told reporters during a recent media availability. “He’s one of those people that can think the game 2-3 steps ahead and being on his team you can just feed off of him. At the end of the day just whatever he needs from us, being able to pick it up and give him energy as well.
“I feel like a lot of times, having other guys around that can make plays whether that’s shooting the ball or get to the paint, make plays for others is gonna help him. Even in the end, when the fourth quarter comes now it’s like you might have to guard him straight up and that’s when he’s able to pick you apart.”
The more capable shooters and playmakers are on the court with Doncic, it makes it that much more difficult for a defense to focus solely on Doncic. As Sexton said, if players like himself, Austin Reaves and Quentin Grimes are making teams pay in the first three quarters, then they are forced to play Doncic one-on-one down the stretch and there are very few who can contain him in that setting.
What has helped Sexton tremendously over the past couple of seasons has been his improvement as a shooter. He has always been able to attack the paint with his speed and aggression, but he has also shot better than 39% from deep in each of the last four seasons. So whether he is on or off the ball, playing with Doncic or leading the offense himself, he is set to make a big impact for the Lakers this season.
Collin Sexton hopes to emulate Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley for Lakers
Sexton is not known as much for his defense, but he is hoping to change that on the purple and gold as well, naming a pair of former Lakers in Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley as the type of player he wants to emulate.
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