Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton isn’t the most vocal player off the court. He’ll do his media pressers, often after a game. However, in the offseason, he’s usually off the radar.
Maybe he’s just coming into himself off the court as well as on it. Nonetheless, in a recent episode of It Is What It Is, the 25-year-old broke tradition.
Jazz’s Collin Sexton Makes Bold Top-10 Claim
“I feel like I can be,” Sexton answers when asked if he’s a top-five point guard. “I don’t think so just because of opportunity. At the end of the day, my opportunity is coming and I’m going to take advantage of it when it does come.”
Then asked if he’s top-10, his tune changed.
“If I’m putting myself in there, for sure,” Sexton exclaims. “I put myself against anybody. At the end of the day, I don’t back down from nobody. I got a different type of chip on my shoulder. I got a different type of grind that when I step between those lines, it’s me against you.”
Balancing Confidence And Calculation
As evidenced by his comments on It Is What It Is, Sexton is one of the more confident players. This is also reflected in his aggressiveness, the young guard fearlessly driving to the hoop.
At times, this has gotten Sexton in a bit of trouble. Upon entering the NBA, he played at one speed, tunnel vision narrowing as he shot through the lane. An intangible and essential trait became viewed as a limiting one, questions about his ability to run a team getting louder as he lost value. The end result was the Cleveland Cavaliers not only drafting another point guard (Darius Garland), but handing him the keys to the offense.
More of a natural facilitator, shooter, and ball-handler, Garland complemented Sexton’s skill. However, as he was more calculated, he also was seen as more savvy. Now, Garland’s approach borders on too passive, showing the delicate balance point guards must have.
Meanwhile, Sexton’s gained trust from his second team by becoming a more heady shot-creator and playmaker. This led to the former top-10 pick averaging 21.1 points and 5.6 assists per game when in the first unit last season. Those are his best numbers as a starter since averaging 24.3 points and 4.4 assists per game in 2020-21.
He makes better passes, quicker decisions, and sees the floor better. He’s more aware of how to use his exceptional speed. However, he isn’t a top-five point guard, as he admits.
Is He Really Top-10?
As for whether Sexton’s currently a top-10 point guard, let’s look at the field.
Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry; Dallas Mavericks playmakers Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving; Oklahoma City Thunder leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; Philadelphia 76ers rising star Tyrese Maxey; Milwaukee Bucks veteran Damian Lillard; Indiana Pacers floor general Tyrese Haliburton; Memphis Grizzlies firecracker Ja Morant; and Atlanta Hawks engine Trae Young are the point guards who most would say are better than Sexton. That would put Sexton top-10. However, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, Boston Celtics guards Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, and New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray arguably push Sexton to top-15.
Of course, guards like Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry, and Mike Conley are praised for their decision-making, defense, and 3-point shooting. However, they’re not putting much pressure on the defense outside of facilitating. Veterans like Russell Westbrook and James Harden are better all-time, but in the twilights of their career. Some will still have them ranked above Sexton but, all things considered, it’s a tough argument to make.
The best one could say is that the Atlanta native can play like a top-10 point guard any day of the week. To actually be one though, he needs to do it more consistently.
