Since the collapsed trade of Chris Paul to the Lakers back in December, the one thing that has separated the purple & gold from the rest of the top teams in the league has been consistent production from the point-guard position. Though the 37 year old Derek Fisher has came up big time and time again while donning a Lakers uniform, a move needed to be made if Kobe Bryant and company planned on putting last year's crushing sweep to the eventual NBA champion Dallas Mavericks behind them and make another run a title no. 17. And with Thursday's trade deadline looming, it was now or never for the Lakers who were so desperately in need of help at point-guard that they were reportedly showing interest in free-agent Gilbert Arenas, but instead chose to pass on the troubled former All-Star.
Having grown accustomed to seeing the Lakers acquire big name players near the trade deadline in recent years, GM Mitch Kupchak instead decided to steer clear of the sexier trades for a low-risk, high-reward type of deal by landing back-up point-guard Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers along with former first round pick Christian Eyenga. In exchange for the fifth year player out of Nevada, the Lakers sent Luke Walton, Jason Kapono and a first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft to the Cavs. To prevent a logjam at the point-guard position, the Lakers were forced to bid a farewell to longtime bearer of the purple & gold -- Derek Fisher and another 2012 first round draft pick to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jordan Hill. With Fisher out, backup PG Steve Blake has inherited the starting role with Sessions taking Blake's former role serving off the bench.
Though it may have only been four games since his arrival, the Lakers appear to have struck gold with the addition of Sessions as he's shown more and more of his skills game after game. In his debut Friday night at Staples Center against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, Sessions put up 7 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in 19 minutes while showing Laker fans something they haven't seen from the point-guard department in awhile -- speed. In his next game against the Jazz, Sessions would showcase a bit more of his passing ability by logging 10 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists to go along with a steal. After a 14 point, 2 rebound, 4 assist, 1 steal performance in a losing effort on the road against Houston, Sessions would log his best game in a Lakers uni yet. This time it would be his shooting that was put on display as he dropped 17 points while collecting 9 assists to add to his 5 rebounds and 1 block, helping Los Angeles knock off the defending World Champion Mavs for the third time this season in as many matches.
Laker fans might not be used to having a point-guard that can attack the basket with such speed, but one thing that's certain is that they're loving every bit of it. The most valuable asset that Sessions will bring to the table is that he relieves Kobe from his duty of having to be the main facilitator now that Bryant appears to have a true point-guard who can dictate the game and control the tempo by creating plays. In every game he's been in so far, the Lakers have looked like an entirely different team with Sessions on the floor. Having progressed each game and only getting more comfortable the more he plays, I'd say it's only a matter of time before Ramon makes his way into the starting lineup as Steve Blake on the other hand has yet to solidify himself as the starter for the foreseeable future since Fisher's departure.
Currently boasting an overall record of 29-18, good enough for sole possession of the no.3 seed in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers appear to have solved their long standing issue at the point-guard position. At least it seems that way. However, the real test will be whether or not Sessions can go toe-to-toe with All-Star PG Russell Westbrook and Western Conference heavyweights Oklahoma City who the Lakers will most likely get a look at in the Playoffs this year. But before Mike Brown and co. can even look that far, they'll need to solve their woes on the road where they currently own a dismal record of 10-15.
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