What Ramon Sessions Has Brought to the Los Angeles Lakers

He's only played two games for the Los Angeles Lakers, but it's quite apparent that Ramon Sessions will have a huge impact on the team's playoff hopes.

As the Lakers shockingly bid adieu to longtime staple Derek Fisher, the 25-year-old point guard from the University of Nevada enters Los Angeles with a massive amount of hype.

Did Lakers fans truly believe going into this season that the team's playoff and possible finals hopes were resting on Ramon Sessions' shoulders?

Well, that's certainly the case right now. 

With the Lakers, Sessions is averaging 8.5 points and 5.5 assists in only 21 minutes on the floor. Those are undoubtedly modest numbers, but his impact on the floor far surpasses his statistical output.

Coach Mike Brown adamantly claims that Steve Blake will assume the starting role, with Sessions coming off of the bench. 

Truthfully, I don't know how much longer that premise can continue.

In the two games since Fisher was jettisoned to Houston (and likely Oklahoma City), Blake has only attempted three shots from the field. He's yet to convert, and has looked tentative and almost distracted.

Also, in a recent loss to Utah, the Lakers committed 17 of their 24 turnovers when Blake was running the point. 

It's quite possible that Blake is looking over his shoulder at Sessions, but he's got to play well as a starter.

The Lakers desperately need production from the point guard position—hence the move to acquire Sessions in the first place.

Brown is probably doing the right thing by not starting Sessions right off the bat.

An acclimatization process needs to take place—especially considering that Sessions has never played for a contender, certainly not with a team of the Lakers' magnitude.

Sessions has been a creative force off of the bench in his short tenure. Not only does he consistently look to push the ball up the floor, he's also been impressive in finding the open man.

There were multiple times where he penetrated the lane and drew defenders towards him, then kicked the ball out to three-point shooters (namely Matt Barnes) for uncontested shots.

His aggressiveness has dazzled the Los Angeles fan base and his jet-like speed to the rim is a welcomed sight—especially since Fisher rarely attempted to drive the lane. 

It's no secret that the anemic bench output puts even more pressure on the Lakers' big three of Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Yet, with the addition of the former Cleveland Cavalier, the style of the second unit has gone from a methodical slumber to a frenetic pace.

Like Sessions, Barnes thrives in transition.

Sessions looks to get out on the fast break frequently and Barnes has been extremely effective in filling the lanes to the basket. As a result, he's been the beneficiary of Sessions' success running the floor.

In the two games that Sessions has taken part in, Barnes has scored 17 and 12 points, respectively. 

That's no coincidence.

A dichotomy of a slow-paced, half-court offense from the starters with a fast break, up-tempo second unit completely changes the dynamic of the squad.

Not only is Sessions facilitating effectively (he had six assists and no turnovers against Utah in only 23 minutes), but he's being assertive in looking for his shot. 

His overall size and physical tools will also be significant when defending opposing guards in the playoffs (such as Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Tony Parker). 

Offensively, his ability to put pressure on the opposing defenses makes the Lakers more dangerous. He now gives Kobe an inventive running mate—a player who can create his own shot without the reliance of another.

It's a tantalizing proposition to place Sessions in the starting lineup. A backcourt of Bryant and Sessions has a chance to be quite dazzling.

An aspect to remember is that Sessions has never played with a roster of this caliber.

One would surmise that his ability to both score the ball and facilitate will be made much easier with the likes of Bryant, Bynum and Gasol.

This new dynamic brought to the team will definitely provide dividends come playoff time.