King James Gospel
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers: Russell Westbrook is a realistic ceiling for Collin Sexton

By Nathan Beighle

LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 16: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 16: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against Chris Chiozza #33 of the Washington Wizards during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 72-59. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against Chris Chiozza #33 of the Washington Wizards during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 72-59. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Similar Intangibles

Collin Sexton and Russell Westbrook have more than just volume production in common.

They also both play the game at 110%, 100% of the time. With an endless motor and an elite skill set, the two are gifted players capable of taking over games.

With a few seconds left in the Cavs single-elimination summer league championship semifinal, Sexton flexed on defense. He looked Josh Hart right in the eyes and flexed him into taking a three and bricking it to send the game to overtime where the Cavs eventually lost following two overtime periods.

A gritty athlete with a will to get better is exactly the player that Collin Sexton is, and ten years ago, it was exactly how we described Russell Westbrook. As physical as the NBA is, if you have the determination to outwork your opponent, you’ll win most of the time.

As the phrase goes, hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. For Westbrook, and hopefully for Sexton, he took that phrase and ran with it, becoming one of the elite NBA point guards and making his mark in history forever.

That said, with the same volume production and the same gritty mindset of Russell Westbrook, Sexton’s NBA ceiling is that of the 2017 NBA MVP.

Next. Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 30 all-time greatest players. dark

Can he get there though?