Kobe: Sessions Allows Me To Be Legitimate Shooting Guard

[miggs]

Kobe Bryant has welcomed the addition of Ramon Sessions, a point guard capable of making plays for himself and others.

"I've been extremely impressed," Bryant said. "He takes a lot of pressure off of me. I can be a legitimate 2-guard now. Know what I mean? He can play-make for others. Before, I had to score and play-make for others, as well. I don't have to do that. I can be on the receiving end of those plays."

I knew Kobe seemed to like the kid and it seems he's willing to let him make the plays. Does that mean Kobe will let Sessions handle the rock???

[eckoner]

Not a Fish diss , simply a compliment to Sessions!

[Kilroy]

They just need to get on the same page now... There were a few broken plays last night because neither one of them knew what the other was doing...

There were also too many iso plays for Kobe... But the beauty of Sessions is, that someone has to stay on him when Kobe's Iso-ing... So even when he's just standing around watching Kobe... He's still helping.

[miggs]

They just need to get on the same page now... There were a few broken plays last night because neither one of them knew what the other was doing...

There were also too many iso plays for Kobe... But the beauty of Sessions is, that someone has to stay on him when Kobe's Iso-ing... So even when he's just standing around watching Kobe... He's still helping.

True I noticed they were playing hot potato a few times with each other last night. I'm sure we'll see a more cohesive unit develop over the next few games.

[Jetset]

I knew Kobe seemed to like the kid and it seems he's willing to let him make the plays. Does that mean Kobe will let Sessions handle the rock???

I think he would eventually. I think he'd relish in the fact that there's someone else that can set him up instead of him having to find his own offense on every play. Not saying the dreaded fadaway and all forced shots would cease to exist, but we'd probably see a reduction.

[Sofa King]

So this is what Kobe's really saying... "Sessions Allows Me To Shoot Moar!"

[semi-sentient]

The affect has been quite positive so far. Here is what Kobe has done with (and without) Sessions on the floor:

Code: Select all

UTA:  2-9 FG (1-11 w/out), 1-1 3P, 2-2 FT, 0 AST, 2 TOV
HOU: 7-15 FG (3-12 w/out), 1-4 3P, 5-5 FT, 1 AST, 1 TOV
DAL:  7-9 FG ( 4-9 w/out), 1-1 3P, 0-0 FT, 3 AST, 2 TOV

His 3PA are way down because he's getting better looks (with exception to the Rockets where he was gunning at the end), and quite a few finishes inside due to Session's penetration causing the defense to scramble. Against the Jazz he was missing nothing but easy shots, but the opportunities were there.

Session's biggest impact will be on role players such as Barnes, Murphy, etc., but he's clearly had a nice impact on Kobe's efficiency so far.

Zach Lowe has some good stuff as well: http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2012/03 ... th-lakers/

• Sessions and Kobe Bryant have functioned well together. The team is scoring like gangbusters — a rate of 114.5 points per 100 possessions — in the 56 minutes they have shared.

The “Will Bryant share the ball?” storyline was the obvious and dominant one after the Sessions acquisition, and though that black-and-white question always simplifies a complex game featuring 90 possessions to split among every player and every set, there is something of a balancing act the Lakers will have to work.

Bryant has shot more often and more accurately with Sessions on the court, per NBA.com. He has attempted 28 field goals per 48 minutes, a giant number that is nonetheless about equivalent to how often Bryant shot before the Sessions deal. But he has shot 46 percent with Sessions, compared to just 33 percent without him over four games and 43 percent for the season, and he has been deadly from three-point range with Sessions running things. Kobe has hit 6-of-10 from deep since the trade, and at least a few of those looks have been more open spot-up chances than he usually gets.

[desertlakerfan]

It's time to bring Kobe off the bench to maximize his minutes playing with Sessions.

[miggs]

The affect has been quite positive so far. Here is what Kobe has done with (and without) Sessions on the floor:

Code: Select all

UTA:  2-9 FG (1-11 w/out), 1-1 3P, 2-2 FT, 0 AST, 2 TOV
HOU: 7-15 FG (3-12 w/out), 1-4 3P, 5-5 FT, 1 AST, 1 TOV
DAL:  7-9 FG ( 4-9 w/out), 1-1 3P, 0-0 FT, 3 AST, 2 TOV

His 3PA are way down because he's getting better looks (with exception to the Rockets where he was gunning at the end), and quite a few finishes inside due to Session's penetration causing the defense to scramble. Against the Jazz he was missing nothing but easy shots, but the opportunities were there.

Session's biggest impact will be on role players such as Barnes, Murphy, etc., but he's clearly had a nice impact on Kobe's efficiency so far.

Great find Semi, I like the impact Sessions is having on the role players, if Sessions continues to control the ball our offense should flourish albeit with obvious Kobe installments. If our role players are contributing more, our bigs are being fed and we're winning I think Kobe will roll with it. He wants that 6th ring more than anything. Kobe doesn't want to be held up with Wilkins/Malone, hell even Wilt. Kobe wants to be up there with guys like MJ, Magic, Bird and the great Bill Russell.

Zach Lowe has some good stuff as well: http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2012/03 ... th-lakers/

• Sessions and Kobe Bryant have functioned well together. The team is scoring like gangbusters — a rate of 114.5 points per 100 possessions — in the 56 minutes they have shared.

The “Will Bryant share the ball?” storyline was the obvious and dominant one after the Sessions acquisition, and though that black-and-white question always simplifies a complex game featuring 90 possessions to split among every player and every set, there is something of a balancing act the Lakers will have to work.

Bryant has shot more often and more accurately with Sessions on the court, per NBA.com. He has attempted 28 field goals per 48 minutes, a giant number that is nonetheless about equivalent to how often Bryant shot before the Sessions deal. But he has shot 46 percent with Sessions, compared to just 33 percent without him over four games and 43 percent for the season, and he has been deadly from three-point range with Sessions running things. Kobe has hit 6-of-10 from deep since the trade, and at least a few of those looks have been more open spot-up chances than he usually gets.

[Jajwanda]

I don't think you have to start Sesisons to continue Kobe's off the ball play. I'd argue the Lakers can go with Pau at the top of the key as their facilitator while Kobe runs off the ball looking for good opportunities to score. Pau gets the triple threat option essentially with the huge threat of Bynum-Kobe and the shooters off the ball.

The days of Kobe isolating against a defense or running P and R for more than a few minutes are pointless.

[semi-sentient]

Something else that's interesting is that Kobe's game against the Mavs was his best shooting performance of the season (.611 FG%). Let's hope we see a few more 60+% performances with Sessions getting Kobe better looks.

[Doormatt]

... its a 3 game sample.

[semi-sentient]

Then it's a good thing that no one made any crazy ass claims about how Kobe would be shooting from here on out.

[jigga_man]

40 attempt per game by Kobe confirmed?

[USA]

How so with the ball in his hands less?

[Father Time]

Kobe gonna Kobe. 45 points on 45 shots for the rest of the season.

[JaVier Mastro]

I don't think you have to start Sesisons to continue Kobe's off the ball play. I'd argue the Lakers can go with Pau at the top of the key as their facilitator while Kobe runs off the ball looking for good opportunities to score. Pau gets the triple threat option essentially with the huge threat of Bynum-Kobe and the shooters off the ball.

The days of Kobe isolating against a defense or running P and R for more than a few minutes are pointless.

Gasol just got done talking about wanting to be closer to the basket

[SoundGarden]

I don't think you have to start Sesisons to continue Kobe's off the ball play. I'd argue the Lakers can go with Pau at the top of the key as their facilitator while Kobe runs off the ball looking for good opportunities to score. Pau gets the triple threat option essentially with the huge threat of Bynum-Kobe and the shooters off the ball.

The days of Kobe isolating against a defense or running P and R for more than a few minutes are pointless.

Gasol just got done talking about wanting to be closer to the basket

Doesnt matter what Pau thinks our offense for Kobe we're mostly running San Antonio motion offense and that offense is most efficient when Pau stretches the floor.
Usually Pau sets the picks for Kobe but with Ron on the wing then there's no spacing.
Best way to run that offense is Bynum on the post,Artest setting the pick and Gasol initiating from the elbow&spacing the floor.

On a related note with the thread Kobe was on 710 earlier;
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/losangeles/play?id=7725229

[XXIV]

The question is whether Kobe will allow Sessions to be a legit point guard for this Lakers team. What Sessions was able to do against Dallas was great, but it's not going to work with Kobe constantly having isos.

[Jajwanda]

I don't think you have to start Sesisons to continue Kobe's off the ball play. I'd argue the Lakers can go with Pau at the top of the key as their facilitator while Kobe runs off the ball looking for good opportunities to score. Pau gets the triple threat option essentially with the huge threat of Bynum-Kobe and the shooters off the ball.

The days of Kobe isolating against a defense or running P and R for more than a few minutes are pointless.

Gasol just got done talking about wanting to be closer to the basket

Doesnt matter what Pau thinks our offense for Kobe we're mostly running San Antonio motion offense and that offense is most efficient when Pau stretches the floor.
Usually Pau sets the picks for Kobe but with Ron on the wing then there's no spacing.
Best way to run that offense is Bynum on the post,Artest setting the pick and Gasol initiating from the elbow&spacing the floor.

On a related note with the thread Kobe was on 710 earlier;
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/losangeles/play?id=7725229

Exactly. That is 100% the approach they are using and should use. There's a reason why teams aren't just sitting on MWP on the perimeter with his shot. The Lakers starting unit has finally found a use for everyone. The only problem is that Goudelock isn't a starter. If he were he would nail jumpers all day long if teams went under the screen against himself and Gasol.