Lakers Name Pau Co-Captain and Steve Blake as starter

[miggs]

Another change involves the Lakers giving Pau Gasol a co-captain role with Kobe Bryant after the team traded veteran guard Derek Fisher to the Rockets for Hill. But beyond the title change, Lakers players and Brown offered little insight about how they’ll fill the leadership void left by Fisher’s departure. Bryant and Gasol didn’t talk to reporters.

“(Blake’s) my starter right now,” Brown said. “I think I would be off-base if I said is Steve going to be my starter for the rest of the year. I don’t know what this kid can bring to the table in terms of Sessions. But Steve is my starting point guard.”

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-name-pau-gasol-co-captain-declare-steve-blake-starter/2012/03/16/

[dockingsched]

Much deserved for Pau, much deserved.

[miggs]

Much deserved for Pau, much deserved.

I think this will do wonders for his self-esteem, mind you I believe if we can try Pau for a solid starting PF and a star PG and I'm in but I'm desperate for PG help. With Sessions here now, it'll subside those issues at least temporarily. After all he's been through Pau can now focus and be the beast he is when he's confident and knows everyone including us, is behind him 100%. This is the Pau I wanna see

[Asianiac_24]

WTF, start Sessions!!

[chefy]

smh...should be metta

[miggs]

WTF, start Sessions!!

Not way not yet! He has to get acclimated to Coach Brown's complex offense

[miggs]

smh...should be metta

Metta would think he's entitled to work some viking helmet on the court, Stern would put the hit out on him asap!

[MiniMamba24]

did brown not coach sessions in cleveland?

[dockingsched]

nah, sessions was with CLE last yr and this yr. brown didn't coach anyone last yr and obviously this yr he's here.

[MiniMamba24]

oh ok thanks doc. i was confused when i read brown saying that he didn't know what session could bring to the table. i must have been thinking about boobie gibson for some reason. also congrats to pau.

[Slava]

This is entirely expected. Sessions would get to run his pick n rolls and play a faster tempo with the 2nd unit while filling a scoring void. Blake will spread the floor and control the pace for the starting unit. I expect Blake to thrive in this line up.

[semi-sentient]

It's best that we start Blake until Sessions gets to know the players. I think he's more valuable in the 2nd unit anyway. When Kobe is off the floor and Bynum is out there with the 2nd unit, Sessions will be the guy penetrating and getting him great looks (or they can work the PnR) while guys like Goudelock, Murphy, and Barnes stretch the floor. That's honestly a better rotation than having Blake out there since he can't create worth a damn anyway.

Blake is still a very athletic player and can help us more on defense than offense, so hopefully that becomes his primary focus (as well as knocking down those open 3's).

I don't understand why Sessions isn't starting tonight though? I thought he was cleared and available? I was hoping to never see Morris again.

[semi-sentient]

Oh, and congrats to Pau. Well deserved.

[twinthunder3]

It would have been Metta...if only he wasn't a nutcase.

[Asianiac_24]

I've always been a fan of Sessions since way before. I think he is one of the most underrated players in this league, and once he starts everything will start clicking again. He is just about everything we need: A good passer, secondary penetrator for Kobe, and a decent defender who can knock down a shot once in a while. We don't need Ray Allen out there, we just need someone who is at least consistent enough that the opponent wouldn't just leave him wide open Rondo-style. I truly believe Sessions is that guy once he starts and plays a major role on this team.

[Danny Darko]

I read Browns statement as "Steve gets a bone this game" next game Ramon probably gets the nod to start.

[Tee212]

excuse me for being ignorant. This co captain label to pau will do what for him as far as being on and off court. what does this allow him to do exactly what he couldnt have done before?

[Gek]

probably helps his confidence? . he probably feels like he has big shoes to fill leadership wise. You're here and you're a Laker, now go get us another ring so we don't trade you in the off-season.

[semi-sentient]

It's not about what he's allowed to do, but what he's expected to do. A co-captain needs to be a voice in the locker room that provides motivation for his teammates. He needs to be the calming voice for younger plays when things aren't going well. He will be expected to speak with players about strategies and provide constructive criticism when necessary, etc., etc.

[WCDYNASTY]

It's best that we start Blake until Sessions gets to know the players. I think he's more valuable in the 2nd unit anyway. When Kobe is off the floor and Bynum is out there with the 2nd unit, Sessions will be the guy penetrating and getting him great looks (or they can work the PnR) while guys like Goudelock, Murphy, and Barnes stretch the floor. That's honestly a better rotation than having Blake out there since he can't create worth a damn anyway.

Blake is still a very athletic player and can help us more on defense than offense, so hopefully that becomes his primary focus (as well as knocking down those open 3's).

I don't understand why Sessions isn't starting tonight though? I thought he was cleared and available? I was hoping to never see Morris again.

Huh??? Ummmm no.