CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have different words to describe third-year point guard Collin Sexton.
Relentless. Bull-headed (his nickname is “Young Bull” after all). Competitive. Fierce. Efficient. Loyal. Bucket-getter.
Here’s another one: Polarizing.
It’s been that way since he entered the league as the crown jewel of the much-maligned Kyrie Irving trade -- and became the fresh face of the post-LeBron era. No matter what Sexton does, or how he plays, there are still harsh critics eagerly waiting to point out his imperfections. Even his stellar season -- career-highs in points (24.4), field-goal percentage (48.3), assists (4.1) and steals (1.1), becoming one of the league’s most efficient scorers -- hasn’t silenced the noise.
He should be a sixth man. He dribbles too much. He doesn’t pass enough. Too small. The Cavs play better without him. He can’t guard anyone. Cleveland’s tiny backcourt won’t work. His teammates don’t like him. Opponents don’t respect him. He’s not a winner. He doesn’t take coaching well.
Sexton continues to take it all in stride.
“Everybody got their opinion, everybody’s going to say what they have to say,” Sexton said following Monday’s practice. “I take bits and pieces and things. I don’t take everything they say. They feel like I’m not doing good at something, I’m going to make sure I prove them wrong. I just go out there and prove them wrong.
“They say I can’t be a point guard. Now these next stretch of games I’m going to go out there and show them I can do both -- run the team and score the ball as well, and be efficient with it. I pretty much just take the criticism and run with it, and just have them look crazy down the stretch.”
Starting point guard Darius Garland missed Monday’s practice because of a sprained left ankle. Sources say the swelling has gone down over the last few days and coaches had an encouraging chat with the training staff, but Garland’s rest-of-season status will be tied to how the ankle responds. Notorious for being cautious with players coming back from injury, the Cavs won’t rush their budding youngster. Garland is one of seven players slated to miss Tuesday’s home game against the Phoenix Suns.
Garland’s absence, combined with Matthew Dellavedova being out for the remainder of the season because of a strained neck, puts more responsibility on Sexton to run the offense.
While brief, it’s another chance for him to rewrite the narrative.
“I hear it. Read it. We talk about it. My teammates, we all talk about it,” Sexton said. “At the end of day, I’m not running from it.”
Monday’s conversation with reporters comes on the heels of a biting report that Cavs players often grow frustrated by the way Sexton dominates the ball, and opponents even taunt them during games. Only no one asked Sexton about those comments specifically. He went down the criticism road on his own, after being asked about the team’s foundation and what stands out about growth from the beginning of the season.
“Embodying criticism,” Sexton said. “Like, ‘Alright, he might be screaming at me right here, but there’s a message behind it.’ Knowing that there’s no bad people on our team and everyone is coming from a good place. Only one end goal and that’s to win. No one is trying to show each other up. J.B. (Bickerstaff) established that from the get-go and established at the beginning of the season that everyone is here to get better and if you have something to say, make sure you tell it in a way that’s coming off genuine and from the heart.
“I know everyone’s here to pretty much help, and I want to help others. Whenever I say something, I don’t want them to feel like I’m just trying to show them up or just trying to say something just to say something. I just make sure I come correct and come the right way.”
Since Sexton’s rookie season, when teammates anonymously questioned his readiness and often pointed the finger at him for the team’s struggles, there’s been chatter about his difficult playing style.
Who can forget last year, with Kevin Love stomping toward Sexton, demanding the ball and firing it at Cedi Osman’s feet in protest of Sexton -- and former coach John Beilein -- opting to run the clock down rather than taking advantage of Love’s mismatch in the post against Chris Paul? That outburst sent social media into frenzy, leading to questions about their relationship.
There was more gossip this season about Garland and Sexton not being connected on the court. Jarrett Allen and Sexton had a verbal exchange during a February road trip.
Each negative moment is scrutinized, especially when there aren’t enough wins to cover it up. But according to Love, there’s no reason for alarm. There never has been.
“I feel like we have such a good rapport now,” Love said. “We tell each other what to look for. Sometimes it’s just to get either one of us out of our heads. I think it goes both ways, because he knows the game. I mean, Collin is always locked in. I love how infectious it is to be around him because he just loves the game and chases it so much. He’s always asking questions. But again, I laugh cuz nobody knows how funny he is. He’s really, really funny. And I appreciate being able to keep it light even when things are tough right now. Because I think having that levity and that lightness to a situation, it’s kind of paramount for us right now, in order to really make a big step.”
Sexton said Love is the first player he seeks out when exiting a game. The two talk strategy and schemes. Sexton explains what he sees. Love does the same.
“I know I can go to him anytime throughout the game,” Sexton said. “He knows I’m just trying to uplift him or he comes to me, he’ll be like, ‘Make a shot, what are you doing?’ He’ll say that and just pretty much ease me up and relax me because sometimes if you’re missing or are having a tough game then you just need someone to ease your mind and focus your attention somewhere else. With K, we definitely communicate a whole lot during the game.”
Sexton said holding each other accountable and constructively criticizing can be beneficial, especially for a young, growing team dealing with adversity.
In the span of about two weeks, the Cavs have gone from predicting their best basketball ahead and chasing a Play-In spot to limping to the season’s end. They are perhaps days away from dropping even further down the Eastern Conference standings and closer to top lottery odds. Six straight losses. Nine of the last 10. All eight remaining games coming against teams in the playoff picture. A lengthy injury report. It won’t get any easier.
With little left to chase, Bickerstaff has urged the group to search for small victories along the way.
“When the coaches are frustrated, we all know it’s coming from a good place and we all know that they want to win just like we want to win,” Sexton said. “No one on the team and no one in the organization have bad spirits about each other and everyone likes each other. When you know it’s coming from the right place, it’s easier to take in what they’re saying and understanding that they’re trying to help.
“I know certain times you might see us out there arguing during the game or telling each other bad shot here and there. That’s just basketball. At the end of the day, that’s how we’re going to help each other get better.”
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