OT - Guy Rodgers to Ramon Sessions

smauss · Post #1 » by **smauss** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:00 pm

First off, forgive for the length of this post!

Last night I watched the Milwaukee Bucks play an absolutely putrid game of basketball. It was like an All-Star game, up and down with a lot of dunks and wide open jump shots. It was like the Honda Hybrid commercial the

Licensed to Il · Post #2 » by **Licensed to Il** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:23 pm

Great story smauss, there is something magical about basketball. It is a bridge, an equalizer, a common ground. Right now there are kids sitting in classrooms dreaming about the end of the day when they can get outside and shoot baskets. And this is happening in rural Indiana, urban Detroit, Croatia, Turkey, etc... different places, different people, different styles... but still so much in common.

As for Ramon Sessions, I don't want to get carried away with the kid. The Bucks played terrible last night, kind of an exclamation point in case Hammond was wondering if they wanted to play for Larry K or not. They basically came out and showed no respect or passion for any of the things the two Larry's promised us as at the start of the season (defense, gritty role players, teamwork, etc). So last night, to me, wasn't about records or Ramon, but the end of a miserable season.

But I will admit, Sessions does have a knack for making plays. He doesn't have the size or the strength or the outside shot of a prototype NBA point. But he makes the little things happen... and I like his quiet swagger.

Balls2TheWalls · Post #3 » by **Balls2TheWalls** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:29 pm

I think that Sessions is a reflection of his team right now. Coach K has really been a wishy washy coach. He has not gotten his defense only mentality across, and it has really shown the entire season. Sessions came into his NBA games as a hungry defender on top of being capable on the offensive side of the court, but losing is going to damage the psyche of an entire team.

I think that all I can do is think that Ramon Sessions is probably just gravy, and a fitting last pick for Larry Harris. He might end up being a star, or just a rotational point guard, but either way he was an excellent 2nd round pick.

emunney · Post #4 » by **emunney** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:09 pm

I enjoyed reading your story, smauss, and I appreciate that you took the time to earnestly share it with us.

Post #5 » by **MickeyDavis** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:15 pm

Very interesting story, thank you.

carmelbrownqueen · Post #6 » by **carmelbrownqueen** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:23 pm

Balls2TheWalls wrote:I think that Sessions is a reflection of his team right now. Coach K has really been a wishy washy coach. He has not gotten his defense only mentality across, and it has really shown the entire season. Sessions came into his NBA games as a hungry defender on top of being capable on the offensive side of the court, but losing is going to damage the psyche of an entire team.

I think that all I can do is think that Ramon Sessions is probably just gravy, and a fitting last pick for Larry Harris. He might end up being a star, or just a rotational point guard, but either way he was an excellent 2nd round pick.

I disagree that Kryskowiak has been wishy washy as a coach.. I think Kryskowiak has been the epitome of an inexperienced coach making the transition from college basketball to the more political and money motivated NBA style of basketball. He never had an idea of what he was getting himself into and it showed in his players, it showed in their on court play, and it showed in how they handled things when faced with challenges.. When they couldn't run the triangle, what did Kryskowiak and his staff do? He speciallly appeared to stand around completely at a loss as to what to do next. His experience on the NBA level as a player didn't see to prepare him to adjust things in a way that could still make an NBA team successful.

His lack of experience dealing with players on a level where he was the deciding factor, where he was the main man responsible for motivating them to play with full effort showed... He knows how to talk to scrambling college students who want so bad win something because they believe and have the heart to do it.. But he didn't know how to talk to grown men with multi million dollar paychecks that in some cases are only motivated by stats and personal accolades. He was just clueless.. and clearly wasn't ready for the challenge of being a full time NBA coach. It's just so different on the NBA level from anything else he has experienced, and it's so different when you are the main guy with the responsibility. It's always easier to sit back and criticize what the next guy did wrong, its even harder to get results when you don't know how and haven't faced that same scrutiny or adversity.

Post #7 » by **MickeyDavis** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:24 pm

Let's try to keep this on the topic of Rodgers. There are plenty of threads discussing LK. Thanks.

Rockmaninoff · Post #8 » by **Rockmaninoff** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:00 pm

Will Perdude wrote:Great story smauss, there is something magical about basketball. It is a bridge, an equalizer, a common ground. Right now there are kids sitting in classrooms dreaming about the end of the day when they can get outside and shoot baskets. And this is happening in rural Indiana, urban Detroit, Croatia, Turkey, etc... different places, different people, different styles... but still so much in common.

Totally agree with your comments, Will. The greatest game doesn't discriminate. It reaches across race and gender, class and creed. It's the 21st Century global game. I can't wait to watch the swingman from New Delhi who will eventually rock our world.

It's a game of chaos and order, of relativity. It can be played alone, with 2 or 3, or with a team. I'm old and at work, but I'm daydreaming about leaving early to burn up the nets.

Thanks for sharing your story, Smauss. I enjoyed it very much.

smauss · Post #9 » by **smauss** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:05 pm

Thanks Will, emunney, and MD for your kind words. I figure for as many off-the-cuff foolishness I post here, I should actually take some time and post something of at least a little forethought!

This all came as a result of the unusual internal reaction I had after Guy's record was broke last night. I really felt the need to explore exactly why Guy Rodgers not being in the Milwaukee Bucks record book would bother me. After much thinking and contemplating this story emerged and I guess needed to emerge. I appreciate the vector to share it!

smauss · Post #10 » by **smauss** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:07 pm

Rockmaninoff wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Totally agree with your comments, Will. The greatest game doesn't discriminate. It reaches across race and gender, class and creed. It's the 21st Century global game. I can't wait to watch the swingman from New Delhi who will eventually rock our world.

It's a game of chaos and order, of relativity. It can be played alone, with 2 or 3, or with a team. I'm old and at work, but I'm daydreaming about leaving early to burn up the nets.

Thanks for sharing your story, Smauss. I enjoyed it very much.

Thanks Rock! which reminds me, I need to listen to London Classical.... :clap:

europa · Post #11 » by **europa** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:11 pm

Great story smauss. And it's nice to see Guy Rodgers getting a little pub these days thanks to Sessions.

TheGhostDog · Post #12 » by **TheGhostDog** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:32 pm

Thanks, smauss, for taking the time to write that. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just for fun, I tried a quick web search to try to find out about the specific game where Rodgers set the Bucks assist record and struck out, unfortunately. However, besides an accomplished career (leading the NBA in assists twice, finishing second 6 times, and making 4 all-star teams) the really fun fact about Guy Rodgers is that he was the guard that fed Wilt Chamberlain the night Wilt hit 100 points, finishing with 20 assists. What a great testament to his point guard skills.

fam3381 · Post #13 » by **fam3381** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:39 pm

Very cool story, smauss. Thanks for sharing.

Will Perdude wrote:He doesn't have the size or the strength or the outside shot of a prototype NBA point. But he makes the little things happen... and I like his quiet swagger.

Sessions measured 6'2" without shoes, 6'3.75" with shoes and weighed 185 pounds at the predraft camp last year. Especially when he adds a couple pounds of muscle, his size should be an asset.

smauss · Post #14 » by **smauss** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:50 pm

TheGhostDog wrote:Thanks, smauss, for taking the time to write that. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just for fun, I tried a quick web search to try to find out about the specific game where Rodgers set the Bucks assist record and struck out, unfortunately. However, besides an accomplished career (leading the NBA in assists twice, finishing second 6 times, and making 4 all-star teams) the really fun fact about Guy Rodgers is that he was the guard that fed Wilt Chamberlain the night Wilt hit 100 points, finishing with 20 assists. What a great testament to his point guard skills.

Yes, your stats and facts are correct my friend! I'm pleased you ejoyed it and I'm also glad if it caused you to do a little research into Guy also! I don't recall the game he set the bucks mark either, maybe if I have time I'll try to check it out! Thanks for taking the time to read it!