Collin Sexton’s first stop with the Lakers has already produced a familiar kind of comparison, and it’s one Celtics fans know well.
Sexton, who was once floated as a Boston free-agent target before landing with the Celtics’ rival this summer, talked in his first media availability about the defensive mindset he wants to bring to Los Angeles. He said he had watched Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley and liked the way both affected winning.
“I would say so. I watched a lot of the playoffs, I watched a lot of (Smart) over the years, but also I would just say his mindset,” Sexton said in his first media availability.
“How can I be in the right spot? How can I make plays?
Like you said, I’m always scoring, but how can I make plays on the defensive end? How can I get the one more or the hockey assist?
Those little things."
“And also, I watched a little bit of Avery Bradley as well. How he was able to change the pace on defense, and that was a while ago.
But just watching him and his competitive nature, that’s my guy, so I was like, you know what? How did he impact winning when he was here?
And I feel like those two guys, I’ve been able to really lock in on because I feel like I can bring that to this team.”
Sexton is a useful player, and the Lakers got him on a solid deal. But the idea that he’s in the same lane as Smart has always been a stretch.
Sexton has made his name as a scorer, and the source material notes that defense would be the last reason anyone would sign him. It also points out that he has never been in the playoffs.
The odd part for Celtics fans is that this isn’t even the first time a Lakers guard has reached for a Boston defender as a model.
D’Angelo Russell did something similar nearly three years ago, saying:
“My inspiration is Derrick White. I want to be Derrick White.
He doesn’t get a lot of credit for what he does. Makes all the winning plays, and that's who I want to be.”
That recognition was nice to hear, but the fit never really changed. White’s value comes from doing the little things that shape winning, and that’s not something every score-first guard can just decide to become.
The Lakers have had Smart and Bradley in their orbit, so they at least know what those players brought. Even so, Sexton trying to channel Smart feels like a big ask.
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