So where does Ramon Sessions fit in with the Cavaliers - or more importantly into their guard rotation?
With the Cavs' semi-rebuilding roster thanks to King James' exit, it's an interesting topic as to where and how much several of the players on this roster will play.
And the Myrtle Beach native is right smack dab in the middle of it.
Well, bleacherreport.com has posted its opinion. Check that out and I'll give you mine.
Practically speaking, most would say Mo Williams starts at point guard. From that point on it gets complicated.
I agree that Williams starts, but not necessarily as THE point guard. I would start he and Sessions side-by-side and give teams a non-traditional look, which fits into the fast-paced style new coach Byron Scott is looking to install with this team. This gives you two point guards - who both actually can play both the 1 or 2, which was obvious with Mo essentially playing the 2 with LeBron playing a lot of point forward and Sessions playing both positions in Milwaukee - on the floor at the same time.
How would this work?
It's not uncommon for teams to have more than one player bring the ball up the floor (see LeBron, Kobe, Wade or even Lamar Odom). This allows Williams to play more of a scoring role for the Cavs, who lose plenty of scoring with LeBron gone. Sessions is more of your traditional point guard anyway and a good playmaker. This would allow Mo to run off screens to get open looks, somewhat like Richard Hamilton has made a great living doing over the years. And, as I said before, this creates more options to execute a running game. This would also work with Gibson, who is a shooter.
So ... how does this affect the rest of the roster?
Well, I think this helps out Daniel Gibson, because he isn't necessarily a third-stringer like he would be with Mo and Ramon 1-2 at point guard. It leaves Anthony Parker coming off the bench. But based on numbers, Sessions produces more than Parker when he gets minutes. Parker's minutes likely would stay the same, just with it all off the bench. And as for point guard, Sessions would probably be a better assist guy than Mo, while Williams would benefit as a scorer.
Where do the issues lie?
Defensively. Having two point guards on the floor at once - a 6-3 Sessions instead of a 6-6 Parker - would likely create matchup problems. Perhaps a zone? That is the ultimate obstacle, but the answers to solving that problem are beyond me (but Scott is a good coach and could piece it together, I believe). The other obstacle is creating a successful substitution method (moves that make up for defensive fixes, etc.). But with this roster, the team is going to have this issue no matter who starts. Scott may even have to work with a system in which he plays whoever is playing well. Keep in mind, this team is far from perfect at this point.
The bottom line
The Cavaliers, with their current roster, are going to have to be somewhat of a system team. And I think that's why Scott wants to have a running team. Antawn Jamison is a nice piece for your halfcourt offense, but most of the other pieces point to the Cavs running and gunning. It's debatable whether this team will be a bottom dweller or a fringe playoff team. I think they can chase the bottom two Eastern Conference playoff spots ... if, they find a nice rotation method.
Scott has his work cut out for him, but he has pieces to play with. It basically comes down to how good of a chess player he is.
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