Cavs: Report Card for Cleveland’s West Coast road trip
By John Suchan
The Cleveland Cavaliers play later tonight back on the East Coast against the Charlotte Hornets. They were on the West Coast this past week where they went 2-2 in those four games. After winning the first two games on the trip they fell flat in both of their losses and now stand at 3-4 on the season.
The growing pains of this team continue and we’ll just have to be patient as this group tries to find its way. In both losses this past go-around, the youthfulness of the Wine and Gold was exposed. Too many mistake, players trying to do too many things on their own or simply playing rushed. All these things spell doom.
But with youth, you can quickly turn things around and it’ll start with a better game tonight against the Hornets. Each of the Cavaliers have helped and hurt at different times so let’s take a closer look and give these players a grade for their efforts.
The Grade of the Week – Collin Sexton: C
Collin Sexton‘s week started out well as they beat the Denver Nuggets. He had 14 points on the night and went three-for-five on three-point shots. He was a plus-ten for the time he was on the floor. The next game was the best of the week as he added 26 points along with seven rebounds and three steals and was a plus-17 on the night. He had a monstrous dunk in the first half that really ignited the team the rest of the way.
The last two games were disastrous for Sexton as he only scored nine and ten points, respectively. He was only two-for-nine shooting the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers. In the game against the Phoenix Suns he was a minus-19 when he was on the floor. He was definitely trying too hard in both games and that type of game for Sexton only hurts the Cavs more.
In one possession against the Suns, Sexton was trying to bulldoze his way through the backpedaling defenders, rather than wait on his teammates. It backfired as he turned the ball over. This isn’t the first time he’s tried to be the superhero. He needs to first and foremost slow down and play smarter. Hopefully, he can come back to a better way in the week ahead.