The season has been wild. The Orlando Magic are 5-2, Toronto has win all season, even the Knicks are winning (not even the staunchest optimist could have predicted that). One of the stories of this infant NBA season has been the revelation of the one-two punch that is giving the Cleveland Cavaliers playoff promise. SexLand at first glance may sound like the kind of venue you’ll find James Harden at most weekends, it’s also an effective moniker for Cleveland’s young guard combo Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, and effective they have been.
Coming into this season, the young bull Colin Sexton had much to prove off the back of a decent sophomore year, averaging 20 and 4 shooting 47%, despite going largely under the radar not helped of course by the fact that the Cavs finished rock bottom of the East winning just 19 games. He has certainly stepped it up this season.
Given the starting SG reigns by Billy Donovan, Sexton has improved his offensive production massively in the early goings of the season scoring 25.7 points on 55% shooting to go along with 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocks. Recently becoming the first Cav to put up 20 points over the first 6 games of a season since you know who. He’s also looked better on the defensive end, building on his already quality on-ball defence with improvements off the ball with smarter rotations and more timely help when it is needed, a fact that has surely benefitted from the presence of Javale Mgee and Andre Drummond.
What especially has impressed me about Sexton has been the versatility of his scoring. His pick and roll scoring already ranks in the 70th percentile and his raw quickness and deceptiveness make him lethal on the fastbreak. Sexton’s improvement in shooting off the catch and making himself available from cuts to the basket have made him a headache to guard in the early stages of this season. The best part of all is that time is on his side having just turned 22. With some time to go before he hits his ceiling, the young bull is one to watch.
The other side of the dynamic duo sits sophomore Darius Garland who has been balling to open this peculiar 2020-21 season. Averaging improvements across the board after a commendable rookie season. The former 5th overall pick out of Vanderbilt is averaging 17.2 points and 6.3 assists shooting 45% from the field and a very efficient 47% from three.
Garland admitted not feeling like himself last season which is understandable following a meniscus tear that limited him to just 5 games in college. A fact that appears to be forgotten as Garland’s game has been electric. He looks to be a few steps quicker this season, has been far more assertive with the ball and is looking to facilitate his teammates with more frequency and quality.
Garland has a spring in his step at the moment, in a rhythm that was significantly lacking last season and it has leaked out into all aspects of his game. He looks shifty yet in control as he breaks down defenses and looks for his own shot or a teammate and has even shown promise to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket or pull up from mid or deep. Although Garland’s defensive struggles have exposed the guard and will mean that teams look to isolate him in certain situations, something he must improve on moving forward .
What does this mean for the Cavs?
Well there’s reason to be excited in Cleveland, after having to endure several awful seasons following the second departure of the King, the cavs are finally building a squad that can compete. A guard combination that can get their buckets and push the pace of the offense whilst facilitating and getting the rest of the roster going is invaluable. But the SexLand are still young and not without flaw, particularly on the defensive end.
A fact that won’t be lost on head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and means he may look to stagger Garland and Sexton for the majority of games this season. Still 2-3 years from their respective primes it seems the only way is up for this Cavs combo and could well be looking at one of the best backcourts in the league’s future barring injury and front office intervention. For now enjoy the rawness of youth and keep an eye on these boys who could well make a push for the playoffs this year.
It’s too early to call if SexLand is for real, but they are young and starting to prove their place in the league.
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