Secure in his reputation for being fearless — with a perfectly-accurate “Young Bull” nickname to match — even a competitor of Collin Sexton’s stature knows that around-the-rim attacks become much easier with LeBron James removed from view. Something of an offensive artist himself, Sexton confirms that he knows just the move, first by winning the hunt for an ungathered rebound, setting his path for a potentially-advantageous two-on-one against one of NBA history’s great transition shot blockers. Utilizing a maneuver that historically worked for smaller guards against James, Sexton sells the thought of a behind-the-back pass smoothly enough to be gifted VIP access to the rim, and ultimately, a smooth left-handed finish. Fortunes wouldn’t finish as strongly for the Utah Jazz, with an untimely timeout erasing Sexton’s could-be game-winning layup in the final seconds. Productive nonetheless in the one-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Sexton offered 15 points (on 7-of-14 shooting), three rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, one 3-pointer, and a +10 plus-minus. · Dec 2, 2024