Cavs’ Collin Sexton dishes on Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, leadership and more

Cleveland Cavaliers star Collin Sexton took a break from getting buckets and feeding teammates to appear on “The Old Man & the Three” podcast earlier this week, as did impressive Sacramento Kings rookie Tyrese Haliburton, for what it’s worth. The popular podcast is hosted by newly-acquired (via trade) Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter J.J. Redick and co-host Tommy Alter.

From the Wine and Gold perspective, Sexton discussed being seemingly an emerging leader at 22 years old, Allen Iverson, his Cavs teammates and much more over thirty-plus minutes.

The budding Cavs star hit on a variety of topics with Redick and Alter in that pod appearance.

Soon after welcoming Collin to the pod, Redick asked Sexton if there was any truth to his asking for and receiving an alarm clock for Christmas as a kid.

"“I wanted to be better. (Asking for the alarm clock) was after a game where I felt like I could’ve done better or what not. The other team got the best of me. Christmas was coming up and I was like (to his parents): “….I want an alarm clock”. I set it for 5:15 every morning and (I would) just make sure I ran, go dribble the ball and just make sure I did something that morning. I feel like that helped me a whole lot just because once I got to high school, once I got to college, waking up at 5 o’clock, it wasn’t nothing because I’d been doing it since I was in elementary school. It was something I didn’t realize would help me in the future and help me down the line, but I’m glad I asked for that alarm clock.”"

Then it was time for the former lottery pick to discuss his 2018 pre-draft workout with the Cavaliers, the morning after they were unfortunately swept by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Here was Sexton’s response.

"“It was like a funeral (in the gym). No one said anything. It was quiet…..Everyone was down just because the day before (the Cavs) lost four games to (none)…..It was bad. I’m not gonna lie, it was super awkward. I didn’t know what to expect. But I performed, I did really well, it was my best workout. And the rest is history. It happened for a reason. And I’m glad it did happen.”"

Soon after being drafted, the guard nicknamed “Young Bull” had a welcome to the NBA by way of future Hall of Fame point guard Tony Parker. Parker was of course the floor general for so long during the San Antonio Spurs’ runs, albeit he finished out his career with the Charlotte Hornets that season.

"“I think he gave me like four fouls in the first quarter. And it was just like….how? I was mind-blown because I had never experienced that. (Parker) was like “I got you ‘rook”. I couldn’t do nothing with him. He gave me four fouls and I realized, I gotta make sure I know the tendencies of everyone (I’m playing against). I had to realize, alright, now it’s time to get better."

Sexton eagerly discussed other former point guards when asked which former players he watched growing up.

"”I used to love watching Allen Iverson. Stephon Marbury. I used to like watching Sebastian Telfair too. (Those are) certain guys that I used to love to watch just because the energy level they brought and they pretty much played both sides of the ball, and how hard they played each and every night. They didn’t back down. And also, they’re little guys too….I love Stephon Marbury. He’s just one of those players that just always brought it. Him and Allen Iverson…..They played with their heart on their sleeve. They were gonna battle no matter what. That’s how I always thought about the game and I loved to see them compete.”"

Currently averaging 23.9 points per game shooting 47.6 percent from the field, and 37.2 percent from three-point range, the dynamic scorer was asked by Redick if he was disappointed about not being named an All-Star earlier this season (Redick mentioned he voted for Sexton on his personal ballot).

"”It was definitely tough. It just made me want to work that much harder. I always try and use certain things to fuel me and certain things to use as motivation. So I just use it as motivation….I know I had a pretty good start of the season, but now I want to continue strong finish strong as well. I feel like if we make the playoffs that will be way more important than being an All-Star. But it’ll be a big achievement if I was an All-Star as well.”"

Alter and Redick then bounced questions about current teammates Isaac Okoro and Larry Nance Jr. Sexton’s way. When referencing rookie Okoro saying that Sexton “doesn’t shut up when they watch film together,” Collin responded with a laugh.

"“Say for instance we’re on the plane or whatnot, I’ll wake him up and say we gotta watch this. He’ll try and act like he’s asleep….I’ve known Isaac since I was in probably sixth grade….With that being said, I have to help him. I know coming in my rookie season it was kind of tough for me. (Because of) the simple fact I didn’t have that guy (to watch film with)….Now I just make sure I help him out and especially if he has a tough (game), I’ll be like: “yo, you could’ve had a shot here. Or you could’ve done this here.” And he’ll ask me a lot of questions. It’s definitely good to have that one person that you can talk to.”"

Here was what Sexton had to say in relation to Nance Jr., who is such a crucial player at this point, and continues to help the Cleveland Cavaliers in a number of ways, as KJG’s Amadou Sow recently highlighted.

"“Larry is a different type of person. He’s laid back. He has jokes all the time. Him and Kevin (Love) joke all the time. They have these jokes, but when it’s time to really get serious and get to it, you can definitely count on Larry no matter what.”"

With Nance and Love sidelined by injuries for large portions of the season, Sexton has had to take on more of a leadership role. Something the 22-year-old has embraced, as he relayed in the pod.

"“That’s who I am. I always want to help. I always want to do whatever it takes for the team.”"

And lastly, count Redick as one who’s already taking Sexton’s game seriously. Before wrapping up, Duke’s all-time leading scorer expressed that he foresees Collin as definitely being in next year’s All-Star Game in Cleveland in 2022.

That would be something special, wouldn’t it?