Sessions

bajaden

Hall of Famer
Sessions just has some real defined strengths that I like for a point guard--his ability to pass which of course everyone knows, but also his ability to get to the free throw line (he's fifth among PGs in free throw attempts/field goal attempt). Those two attributes are usually mutually exclusive among point guards, and only Chauncey Billups and Kyle Lowry (explains why I like Lowry) had higher assists/possession and free throw attempts/field goal attempt; that alone makes him very very intriguing. And he's very young (22 years old), has pretty big primacy (as seen by his high usage rate), so needless to say if we get him he would be our point guard of the future, being able to step right up and produce.

I sense that he's becoming more and more scoring oriented (his assists/field goal attempt dropped from 1.09 in his breakout rookie season to 0.58 just last year) as his passing has become more ordinary, but defenses are focusing more on him and he rightfully is diversifying his game as a scorer. That's also consistent with what he did in college. While he can score, his scoring efficiency is quite average overall--he doesn't wow in points/possession, will pretty much never take a three pointer and his mid-range game is not really dependable at all, thus accounting for his average TS%--which is why his PER did not budge much because he traded off some of his great passing for less efficient scoring.

But the reason Sessions can still make an impact offensively is because his game is predicated around attacking the basket, and his ballhandling skill and craftiness allow him to be effective--think early Andre Miller with this guy in that he's not really that athletic, but he just wills himself to success around here. Another reason, like Lowry, his jumpshot has potential is because of what he shoots from the free throw line--80% on a high rate of attempts, and considering that shooting is the easiest thing to learn in the league, that really gives him a good chance to improve the shot and extend the range. But even on the off chance he doesn't develop the range, he can still slash effectively, and the lack of jumpshot will really only affect him once he reaches his 30s.

So he's a ready-made player with unique strengths for a point guard and fairly correctable flaws that don't appear to hinder his game much at all. He's really productive in athletic markers (really good rebounder in addition to the ability to draw fouls) despite not being that athletic, sticks to his strengths in general and passes the ball really well. Think a career trajectory of Andre Miller--besides their similarities in slashing and lack of range/jumper, Miller also traded off his passing for more scoring as his career progressed, and I suspect Sessions might do the same. He's a pure point guard, but he'll start to look to score more.
Pretty fair assessment. Since I have a friend who's son went to UNR, I've followed their team for a while. One disagreement I would have with you is on his athleticism. While not a freak athlete, he's certainly athletic and very quick. His assist to turnover ratio is terrific. He just doesn't turn the ball over very much.

If we could sign him, and Thabeet is gone, then I would draft Evans with the 4th pick. Evans could be your backup at the Point and at the shooting guard position.
 
talk by slam that johnny flynn is there pick at #10 to cover the outgoing sessions who wont be signed due to the fact the team is lacking financially
 
hes going to want more than the MLE.... best to get a point guard at the draft cheaper.. younger.. probably with same or even better potential.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
hes going to want more than the MLE.... best to get a point guard at the draft cheaper.. younger.. probably with same or even better potential.
Cheaper? Yes. Younger? Not much. Sessions is I believe 22 years old. Potential? If Rubio, maybe, but not anyone else. Sessions has tons of potential and was one of the best point guards in the league after the allstar game. He's proven he can play in this league and play well. Thats something no one in the draft can say.
 
J

jdbraver

Guest
Just assume for a second that the Kings plan to sign Sessions in the FA market would that change your pick at #4?
 
Just assume for a second that the Kings plan to sign Sessions in the FA market would that change your pick at #4?
As far as I'm concerned, a fairly-priced Sessions deal + Thabeet sounds like a great start to draft night. I might even consider resuming sporadic attendance at The Church of Geoff Petrie if he pulled that off.
 
As far as I'm concerned, a fairly-priced Sessions deal + Thabeet sounds like a great start to draft night. I might even consider resuming sporadic attendance at The Church of Geoff Petrie if he pulled that off.

Boy does that sound like a deal. But it wouldn't really change our draft because the free agent signing period is after the draft, so we could end up with Jennings and Sessions(boy dosen't that sound good) or something along the lines
 
Just assume for a second that the Kings plan to sign Sessions in the FA market would that change your pick at #4?
Well it is tough to plan anything when it comes to free agency. Generally you should just stick with BPA when it comes to the draft as a result. We don't know if another team will offer more, if they are going to make moves and clear up cap to keep him, etc.

Assuming it was "guaranteed" I am sure Thabeet, Harden, and Derozan would be in the running. A trade down would seem to make more sense as well.
 
J

jdbraver

Guest
Boy does that sound like a deal. But it wouldn't really change our draft because the free agent signing period is after the draft, so we could end up with Jennings and Sessions(boy dosen't that sound good) or something along the lines
I think Thabeet will be gone by #4, I would mind the Kings grabbing Harden if we plan on gambling to get Sessions.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
Well it is tough to plan anything when it comes to free agency. Generally you should just stick with BPA when it comes to the draft as a result. We don't know if another team will offer more, if they are going to make moves and clear up cap to keep him, etc.

Assuming it was "guaranteed" I am sure Thabeet, Harden, and Derozan would be in the running. A trade down would seem to make more sense as well.
I think the Kings would have a good chance of signing Sessions. There aren't that many teams with cap space and most of the one's that do don't have a need at point guard. Portland was one team that was making noise about needing a better point in order to improve in the playoffs. But they just said that their going to pick up the option on Blake, so maybe they'll sit tight for a while.

But it is a gamble to assume your going to get who you want in the free agent market..
 
J

jdbraver

Guest
I think the Kings would have a good chance of signing Sessions. There aren't that many teams with cap space and most of the one's that do don't have a need at point guard. Portland was one team that was making noise about needing a better point in order to improve in the playoffs. But they just said that their going to pick up the option on Blake, so maybe they'll sit tight for a while.

But it is a gamble to assume your going to get who you want in the free agent market..
True it is a risk, but you won't go from last place to playoff contender without taking risks. I think Harden will be the best player from this draft class. I hope he is around at #4
 
J

jdbraver

Guest
Drafting anyone besides Rubio at 4 is already a big enough risk for me. ;)
Chances are Rubio will not be there at 4. He just sued to lower his buyout. That pretty sours his reputation with his spanish team. If Mem or OKC think he is the BPA they will draft him. I hope the Kings aren't willing to trade up to get him. I think there are several players that can contribute other than Rubio.