Off The Glass

Sessions back to bench despite continued solid play?

Not much has changed for Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions.

After popping up in trade rumors just before the deadline, Sessions ended up staying in Cleveland. He saw his good friend, Mo Williams, traded away. It could have meant the starting point guard position would then go to Sessions, but the Cavaliers got veteran Baron Davis in return in the deal.

It appears Sessions, who has been thriving as a starter (seemingly scoring 20 points and dishing 12 assists or so every night) with Williams - and now Davis - injured, will at some point be headed back to the bench.

But according to Fox Sports Ohio, Cavs coach Byron Scott plans on having Sessions continue to play a key role, possibly even playing beside Davis at times. Then there's also the possibility that an unhappy Davis will find ways to not be in the lineup. Only time will tell.

But sadly for Sessions, it appears he's once again going to be in a spot where he has to wait his turn despite all he has proved in the chances he's gotten in the last couple years.

Yahoo! reports Cavs' Sessions, Harris could wind up in Atlanta

As trade talks heat up, so do the chances Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions could come a lot closer to his old home and wind up exactly in his new home.

The Cleveland Cavaliers guard, who resides in Atlanta in the offseason, has been rumored by Yahoo! sports to possibly part of a trade in which he will be dealt to the Hawks. Sessions and fellow Cavs guard Manny Harris would go to Atlanta in exchange for Jeff Teague and Maurice Evans.

Teague has lost favor in Atlanta ever since he has been unable to take the reins of starting point guard away from veteran Mike Bibby. Sessions, I would imagine, would get a chance to do the same if traded there. Either way, Sessions would be a valuable asset for the Hawks, who like to get out and run like Sessions does.

Here's the Twitter link (doesn't say much more than what I said here, but I want to credit the source): Yahoo!'s Marc J. Spears on Twitter

Three teams reportedly interested in trading for Ramon Sessions

Ramon Sessions' recent strong play has garnered plenty of attention - from SportsCenter to ESPN.com to various other websites and new outlets.

Perhaps more imporantly, Sessions also has reportedly garnered the attention of three teams that are looking to acquire another piece for their potential playoff runs. According to various reports, the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers have inquired about the Cleveland Cavaliers backup point guard.

Sessions has gone into the All-Star break with a bang, putting up a season-high 32 points and eight assists of the bench in Cleveland's win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Sessions is spending the break on vacation in Jamaica. Depending on how serious the discussions are, Sessions could return to the States and soon be headed to another city. However, according to several comments by fans on Cavaliers-related websites, many think the Cavs would be crazy to part with Sessions.

Two of the potential suitors have interesting implications, should they happen: New York and Atlanta. Sessions' AAU coach and longtime Socastee High coach Dan D'Antoni is an assistant to his brother Mike in New York. Meanwhile, Sessions lives in Atlanta in the offseason.

At this time of the year rumors are flying everywhere. But it isn't at all surprising that teams are inquiring about Sessions. Will he still be in Cleveland at the end of next week? Only time will tell.

Here's some links to see what others are saying:

CBS Sportsline

Akron Beacon Journal

SB Nation Cleveland

Peachtree hoops

Bleacher Report

Pro Basketball Talk

Link: Metro Halifax (Canada) story on Hemingway's Dollard

Hemingway High alum Josh Dollard, who plays for the Halifax Rainmen of the Premier Basketball League, hasn't forgotten his original goal: to get to the NBA.

Check out a story about him from a Canadian news site here.

NBA player calls on Cavs to sign Akeem Hemingway in tweet

Myrtle Beach High grad Akeem Hemingway got some major support on Thursday via Twitter. Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva tweeted:

"10 day contract for Akeem Hemingway Cleveland Cavaliers? Make it happen Cleveland"

Hemingway, who has played professionally in Mexico and has been trying to get on with an NBA Development League team in recent years, is the cousin of Cavaliers guard Ramon Sessions.

Villanueva has been a close friend of Sessions' since the days they played together in MIlwaukee. Sessions said before he was traded to Minnesota two years ago that Villanueva was his closest friend on the team. Hemingway, who lives with Sessions during the season, also knows Villanueva.

Detroit played in Cleveland on Wednesday, reuiniting the friends. Follow Villanueva on Twitter @CV31 to see if his campaign continues.

With the current state of the Cavs, it couldn't hurt.

Akeem's camp update: Hemingway said his second annual "Shooting For Success" basketall camp is scheduled for April 9. Check back later for specifics on the camp.

 

Story link: Sessions impressing despite all Cavs' losses

Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions has gotten plenty of attention for "Punchgate" with Dirk Nowitzki. However, his play has been even more notable.

Check out this story about Sessions by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Also interesting are the comments by Cavaliers fans. They seem to like Sessions, but they debate whether he is their PG of the future.

Sessions accuses Nowitzki of throwing punch; Dirk denies charge

Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions got into a small altercation with Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki during the Cleveland Cavaliers' loss Monday night.

Sessions accused Nowitzki of throwing a punch, while Dirk claims it was not a punch. The video shows Dirk make some sort of arm movement toward Sessions after a play. However, whether it was a punch is debatable. The league decided not to fine or punish Dirk, therefore saying it did not believe a punch was thrown.

Dallas contended that Sessions initiated the situation by leading with his elbow. But Sessions disputes that in this ESPN.com blog post.

Read more about it on an NBA.com blog and watch video of the play to judge for yourself on YouTube.

Get Cavaliers coach Byron Scott's take at waitingfornextyear.com.

Video link: Sessions talks about Cavaliers' losing streak

With the Cleveland Cavaliers on the verge of setting the NBA's longest losing streak, Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions talked to reporters about the situation Thursday on NBA.com.

Sessions has season-high 25, but Cavs near infamous streak

Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions continues to play. However, as a team the Cleveland Cavaliers have not.

Sessions had a season-high 25 points and also nine assists as the Cavaliers lost their 22nd straight game Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers.

The Cavs could tie the NBA single-season record of consecutive losses against Memphis on Friday. They could tie the all-time NBA record by Saturday against Portland.

Despite his strong play, the losing streak is wearing on the whole team - and Sessions. Check out what he had to say in a game story from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Myrtle Beach's Armistead putting up big numbers for Florida Makos

Submitted photo

Myrtle Beach High School alum Brandon Armistead has adapted to professional basketball nicely.

Armistead, who is in his first season with the ABA's Florida Makos, is leading the team in points per game (20.2) and is also grabbing 12.4 rebounds per game.

Overall, he is enjoying the experience.

"Playing pro ball has been a good experience because I get to play alongside and against great players," said the Shaw University alum. "As far as my team, we lack in size so it's been very hard to win games when you have to go up against two 7-footers every game. As far as myself, to be be a rookie - I'm leading my team in every catagory except rebounding and I'm at 12 per game."

Not that it has been easy. Armistead said he has had to adapt to playing professionally - and, more specifically, to the ABA's rules.

"In college it's more laid back because you have more time to set up a play," Armistead said. "Now my coach says you have the green light to shoot when you're open right away because you have the 24-second shot clock. Also, the rules of the ABA are very different than the NBA or college as far as the points system."

For example, 2-pointers are worth 3 and 3-pointers are worth 4. There are also other rules that speed up the game and increase scoring. If you want to see more specific rule differences, check out ABALive.com. Also, to see more of Armistead's stats, go to the team's website.