Ramon Sessions’ play pushes Steve Clifford toward more small ballCharlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford is no fan of small ball. He joked at a preseason media luncheon that you go big in the NBA “only if you want to win.”
With that in mind, backup point guard Ramon Sessions must have left quite an impression over the last month.
Clifford is increasingly playing point guards Kemba Walker and Sessions together this early season. While that goes against Clifford’s general philosophy, the success the two have had as a tandem pushes Clifford to be open to the option on more than an occasional basis.
“You have to do what your roster allows to win,” Clifford said. “Our biggest strength is getting to the free-throw line and (Sessions) is our best at getting fouled.”
No doubt of that. Through Tuesday’s games the Bobcats averaged the third-most free-throw attempts in the NBA, at 33 per game. The Houston Rockets were first at 37.4 per game and the Los Angeles Clippers were second at 33.75.
Sessions is by far the Bobcats’ free-throw leader, averaging eight attempts per game. He averages a free throw for every three minutes played so far this season.
The NBA’s leaders in free throw attempts per 48 minutes played this season, through Wednesday:
1. Ramon Sessions, Bobcats: 17.5
2. Kevin Durant, Thunder: 17.1
3. Russell Westbrook, Thunder: 13.8
4. Dwight Howard, Rockets: 13.7
5. Isaiah Thomas, Kings: 12.9
*–Minimum 50 minutes played
Source: Elias Sports Bureau
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