Ramon Sessions scores for the first time as a Laker against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a March home game. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
School is in Session, and the new teacher in town is Ramon.
Of course Kobe is still the principal but the Lakers have finally added that quick first step guard that has been eluding their roster this season. Ramon Sessions was acquired hours before the trade deadline on March 15.
On the same day, the Lakers traded Derek Fisher for Jordan Hill, which has no doubt swirled up mixed emotions into the heart of Lakers fans, but dealing the 37-year-old guard was a deal that had to go down. Fisher won five NBA championships with the purple and gold before hanging up his L.A. jersey and ending up in an Oklahoma City Thunder uniform.
Fisher shouldn’t be too down in the dumps though, after all he is leaving the Lakers for the best team in the Western Conference and has a chance to win a sixth ring. Both sides are getting what they want. “The last time the Lakers had a point guard this quick was Norm Nixon,” said James Worthy. That is a big statement considering Nixon hasn’t played for the lake show since 1983. Ramon is making an obvious impact on the offense in his first several games as a Laker. Sessions is penetrating defenses and getting to the free throw line early and often since being traded. His youthful legs are just what the Lakers need for the upcoming post season.
He has transformed the Lakers’ identity almost single handedly.
The Lakers no longer look like a slow, over the hill team limping into the post season. The offense is starting to click and offensive production is on the rise since Sessions joined the team. Most NBA fans will remember the Lakers’ embarrassing exit from the first round of the playoffs last year at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks exposed the lack of speed in the Lakers’ backcourt.
With the Lakers currently sitting in the third playoff spot in the west, they would face the sixth seeded Mavericks in the first round this year and have a chance for redemption.
Hopefully the Lakers learned their lesson and school will be in session.
- Corey Esquivel
Staff Writer
