Ramon F Sessions

[Prince_XY]

Stephensen is scary because we are new, our chemistry is new, Cousins' leadership is new. He's wrecked two teams now, not to mention that whole throw the pregnant lady down the stairs bit.

We're trying to win, and we need to be all for one and one for all totally focused to do that. Is Stephensen EVER totally focused, I mean on anything but himself?

Lance Stephenson lead the league in triple-doubles in 2013-2014 when Indiana also happened to own the best record at the end of the regular season and he also helped Indiana Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice in a row.

True or false?

How could you say he wrecked two teams?

Maybe Charlotte Hornets this season, but Indiana?

 

[Nelson999]

 

[randymoss1881]

Bird wasn't fed up with lance he wanted to keep him but was vetoed. Also man if dude acts up boogie should just beat his ass.

But adding lance will seriously improves our bench lance/landry/onesie ain't to shabby. I really like how we could play him at pg with the bench.

 

[km23]

Lance would be great and all but I don't want him for the lone reason Is we already have 2 of the most dominant 1 on 1 guys out there.. adding a third is just to much, no matter how talented the player may be.

 

[Prince_XY]

Bird wasn't fed up with lance he wanted to keep him but was vetoed. Also man if dude acts up boogie should just beat his ass.

But adding lance will seriously improves our bench lance/landry/onesie ain't to shabby. I really like how we could play him at pg with the bench.

Actually, there might be some truth on what you are saying.

The Pacers want him back at $44M/5 years. But Stephenson declined and wants a shorter and flexible contract ($27/3 years and team option on final year) which he got from Charlotte. The Mavericks also offered $20M/2 years which did not materialize because they got Chandler Parsons. Clearly, the Pacers and Mavericks are very smart and thereby successful teams for they do not believe on building a church choir as a sports team.

It is only us (Sacramento Kings fans) who gives too much weight on Stephenson's past off-court infractions which has happened several years ago, as if we've forgotten Cousins' checkered past. We are hypocrites. Did we already forget Cousins used to be thuggish himself to the point of fighting with Greene? And Cousins telling Isaiah not to shake hands with Chris Paul?

 

[Prince_XY]

If problems > talent, then you stay away! Cuz had some minor issues, but this guy is almost at a Ron Artest/World Peace level. No thanks

That seems like a losers mentality when it comes to sports. Also and IMO, it does not fit well with Stephenson.

We were good when we had Artest and the mighty Lakers won a championship with him.

 

[Tetsujin]

That seems like a losers mentality when it comes to sports. Also and IMO, it does not fit well with Stephenson.

We were good when we had Artest and the mighty Lakers won a championship with him.

Them winning rings had more to do with Kobe/Prime Gasol/Not-Sucky Bynum (speaking of another dude who has bad personality-ed himself out of the NBA) than it did with declining Ron Artest

 

[Gilles]

Is the third year on Lance's contract a team option? I've heard this before, but I forget where I heard it.

Yep, http://data.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/hornets.jsp

 

[Prince_XY]

Them winning rings had more to do with Kobe/Prime Gasol/Not-Sucky Bynum (speaking of another dude who has bad personality-ed himself out of the NBA) than it did with declining Ron Artest

Okay then, we will win it with Gay/Prime Cousins/Collison (and we will not mention whatever contribution Stephenson has) when we get there.

 

[Bricklayer]

Lance Stephenson lead the league in triple-doubles in 2013-2014 when Indiana also happened to own the best record at the end of the regular season and he also helped Indiana Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice in a row.

True or false?

How could you say he wrecked two teams?

Maybe Charlotte Hornets this season, but Indiana?

I don't care if Stephensen averaged 30-10-10 if he destroyed their chemistry so they went out like bitches in the end, which they did.

Right now we are playing above our talent level because for the first time in a long time we are united. There is a pecking order. Nobody is bucking it. There are no separate agendas. Nobody squabbles with the coach. Nobody questions Cousins primacy or looks him off. But we have gained this benefit of being a team for all of a month. its not set in stone or truly habitual yet. Bringing in a potential cancer is riskier for us than for almost any other would be power team. Might work out, but if it doesn't there's no guarantee we can reflexively isolate and expel the intruder organism the way a team like the Spurs would. We don't KNOW who and what we are yet with that level of assuredness.

 

[Albatros]

Stephenson was getting the Twitter treatment the other day for just how bad he's been this season.

Wouldn't touch him if my life depended on it.

 

[KingsFanGER]

Stephenson doesnt fit. Kings dont need a balldominant guard, cause they have major lowpost threats. What would be great is a guard that can move the ball and finds players in their spots to score. But in the same time, we need to improve our screening to get more open shots. So just adding another player wont do that much. Its about improvement as a Team.
If we really want to get rid of Sessions i would eye guys like Eric Maynor, Dennis Schröder, Phil Pressey - guards who can run the pick and roll, when our post guys need a rest.

 

[Bricklayer]

Stephenson doesnt fit. Kings dont need a balldominant guard, cause they have major lowpost threats. What would be great is a guard that can move the ball and finds players in their spots to score. But in the same time, we need to improve our screening to get more open shots. So just adding another player wont do that much. Its about improvement as a Team.
If we really want to get rid of Sessions i would eye guys like Eric Maynor, Dennis Schröder, Phil Pressey - guards who can run the pick and roll, when our post guys need a rest.

Oh, I think we could very much use a ball dominant guard...off the bench. A tough guy to join Casspi and Landry and make that bench really scrappy, to handle the ball so Sessions wouldn't have to (in fact Charlotte had Sessions a couple of seasons ago, he might go back the other way in the deal). Talentwise there is an open spot for an extra weapon, and preferably a bench weapon.

The problem of course though is that Stephensen presents as an angry and stupid young man with major ego problems. In other words, hard to see him accept going to the bench, and if we did put him there, he could well take it in t he same spirit that Isaiah takes being on the bench -- i.e. an opportunity to scheme how to seize the starting spot.

 

[KingsFanGER]

Oh, I think we could very much use a ball dominant guard...off the bench. A tough guy to join Casspi and Landry and make that bench really scrappy, to handle the ball so Sessions wouldn't have to (in fact Charlotte had Sessions a couple of seasons ago, he might go back the other way in the deal). Talentwise there is an open spot for an extra weapon, and preferably a bench weapon.

The problem of course though is that Stephensen presents as an angry and stupid young man with major ego problems. In other words, hard to see him accept going to the bench, and if we did put him there, he could well take it in t he same spirit that Isaiah takes being on the bench -- i.e. an opportunity to scheme how to seize the starting spot.

I don't know much about Stephensons personality. There were some rumors regarding team chemistry in Indiana, but i don't know if one could take that seriously. Maybe the same thing like it happened to DMC the seasons ago - 1 or 2 minor incidents and you are labeled as a cancer all the time.

Aside from that i really think, that we don't need this praised ball dominant ISO scorer off the bench. If you watch the bench unit of the Wizards f.e., there are no extremely skilled 1vs1 players. Just 5 guys, getting into the offense early, running multiple screen and rolls, swinging the ball around and getting open shots from deep and easy cuts to the basket. Old man Miller runs the show and while he is still capable to create for himself, he doesn't need to in most cases. Celtics, Atlanta, Spurs, Bulls all play this kind of teamball. You don't need a guy dribbling the ball for 15 seconds to take a contested fade away from 15 ft.

We have 3 guys able to play this way in Landry, Casspi and Stauskas. I would prefer to aquire a PG, that helps to establish this kind of teamball for our second unit.

 

[Tetsujin]

I don't know much about Stephensons personality. There were some rumors regarding team chemistry in Indiana, but i don't know if one could take that seriously. Maybe the same thing like it happened to DMC the seasons ago - 1 or 2 minor incidents and you are labeled as a cancer all the time.

Except Demarcus never pushed a pregnant lady down the stairs or had any off court issues on the level of Lance.

 

[Spike]

It is only us (Sacramento Kings fans) who gives too much weight on Stephenson's past off-court infractions which has happened several years ago, as if we've forgotten Cousins' checkered past. We are hypocrites. Did we already forget Cousins used to be thuggish himself to the point of fighting with Greene? And Cousins telling Isaiah not to shake hands with Chris Paul?

Wait, what?! Physician, heal thyself!

OK, you're absolutely right. Cousins not shaking hands with Chris Paul (even more dastardly, telling IT not to do so) is equivalent to abusing women. Yikes.

And you know what? I'll defend Cousins getting into the face of someone who doesn't really give a lick about playing to the best of their abilities. Comparing Cousins's "checkered past" to Stephenson is like comparing Bundt cake to Na...I'll wait for someone else to Godwin the thread.

At what cost is winning important?

 

[KingsFanGER]

Except Demarcus never pushed a pregnant lady down the stairs or had any off court issues on the level of Lance.

Thats why i focused solely on the teamchemistry issue. But even though I absolutely condemn any form of abuse, you have to take into account, that it's not up to the NBA to punish those guys. Howard, Bryant, Stephenson - the amount of men, that are unable to control themselves in certain situations is pretty high. Nonetheless they can be good at their job and that's playing basketball.

 

[Kingster]

The only reason I can come up with for Malone's stubborness in playing Sessions is that he doesn't want to poison the well for the acquisition of future FAs. They don't want to have future FAs thinking that they might come to Kings, only to ride the pine. I think though that any possible FA can see that Session has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he's not playing well for the Kings and should ride the pine.

 

[Albatros]

He obviously doesn't think there's that much difference between Ray and Ramon, and honestly there isn't. I'm not sure what the stats say but it appears Ray has that extra defensive ability and that may give him a slight edge.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

He obviously doesn't think there's that much difference between Ray and Ramon, and honestly there isn't. I'm not sure what the stats say but it appears Ray has that extra defensive ability and that may give him a slight edge.

Much less unforced bonehead turnovers. Eye test, regardless of what any stat might indicate

 

[MizzouKing]

Well now the common train of thought on that one is that Kobe chased him away

Who wouldn't want to play with Kobe? ...saidnobodyever.

 

[bajaden]

It will be a very good experience for coach Malone to deal with a real headcase. I think Malone can work wonders for Stephenson because he seems like a real player-coach.

You could be right, but you just never know. The Kings are for the most part, a young team, and the chemistry they've developed is still in the fragile stage. Stephenson might come in and destroy what little that's been built, or, he might be the catalyst that takes us up to the next level. The problem is, we just don't know. So the question is, do we want to take the risk? I don't have that answer. Stephenson hates to lose, which is a good thing, but he doesn't handle adversity well at times. I think Charlotte is and entirely different situation than Indiana. The Pacers had some strong personalities on their team. Not so much in Charlotte, so I can see where Stephenson might try and dominate there.

It would be a risky move, but sometimes its that kind of move that puts you over the top. On the other hand, its also the kind of move that might set you back a couple of years. I'll let you decide, that way I have someone to blame if it doesn't work out..

 

[bajaden]

I definitively agree with you. The issue of him not fitting well to the Kings style of playing is one thing. However, there is no excuse for his bad decicion making. He dribbles too much spending precious time from the shot clock. On the other hand, as you said, takes unwarranted 3-pointers, when there is plenty of time on the clock. I have to say this on Collison as well, but both point guards are too trigger happy and do not look for the best open shooter. When DMC is on the floor (and maybe Rudy), he demands their attention and they do pass to him. However, BenMc, who is starting to shoot really well, is forgotten. I think that the point guards should create more for BenMc, because his shooting precentage from 3-point land clearly justifies his shooting. Beyond BenMc shooting well, the Kings simply need that threat to open the lanes. By now the teams already know that nobody (reliable) is shooting the 3-pointers, which makes their defense much simpler.

You know, I don't see Collison the same way you do. I think for the most part, he's been pretty good at picking his spots, and for the most part, he appears to take most of his shots when either he's left open, or when no one else on the floor seems capable of making a shot. I would say that 90% of the time, he brings the ball up the floor quickly and almost immediately passes to someone else. There are times later in the shot clock, where the ball comes back to him and he takes a shot. Sessions on the other hand, plays like a SG most of the time. He's always looking for his own shot, and of course since he's the primary ballhandler when he's on the floor, its likely he's going to get his shot.

Now I agree with you that at times, a hot shooter is ignored. But sometimes our feelings are based more on illusion than they are facts. Here are the shot attempts for the last five games that these particular players played.

Cousins: 17.6 shots a game
Gay: 14.2 shots a game
McLemore: 12.4 shots a game
Collison: 11.2 shots a game

You can see that McLemore is getting his fair share of shots in the last five games. Now you could argue that he deserves more, and maybe down the road he'll get more, but right now he's still building a foundation of dependability. Everyone is still in the "I want to believe"mode, rather than the "Im convinced and I do believe"mode with Ben. That said, when a player appears to be hot, then feed him the ball until he proves otherwise, regardless of who he is.

 

[bajaden]

Actually, there might be some truth on what you are saying.

The Pacers want him back at $44M/5 years. But Stephenson declined and wants a shorter and flexible contract ($27/3 years and team option on final year) which he got from Charlotte. The Mavericks also offered $20M/2 years which did not materialize because they got Chandler Parsons. Clearly, the Pacers and Mavericks are very smart and thereby successful teams for they do not believe on building a church choir as a sports team.

It is only us (Sacramento Kings fans) who gives too much weight on Stephenson's past off-court infractions which has happened several years ago, as if we've forgotten Cousins' checkered past. We are hypocrites. Did we already forget Cousins used to be thuggish himself to the point of fighting with Greene? And Cousins telling Isaiah not to shake hands with Chris Paul?

Actually, Cuz picked IT up and carried him off the court when he was trying to talk to Paul. There is a difference between Cuz and Stephenson though. Everything I can think of with Cuz was basketball related. You never heard of Cuz having a run in with anyone off the court, and by off the court, that includes the lockerroom. Cuz never bought a new car and drove 120 miles an hour down interstate 80. Cuz has never been in a fight in a bar, or thrown his girlfriend down a flight of stairs. In other words, Cuz has never, to the best of my knowledge, broken the law. Stephenson has! Now as you said, most of that is in the past, and I'm a big believer in second chances. I've certainly needed a few in my life. Stephenson only has one more year left on his contract, so to that extent, the risk wouldn't be that great. It's not like we'd be trading for a player on a four year contract and be stuck if it didn't work out.

 

[bajaden]

The only reason I can come up with for Malone's stubborness in playing Sessions is that he doesn't want to poison the well for the acquisition of future FAs. They don't want to have future FAs thinking that they might come to Kings, only to ride the pine. I think though that any possible FA can see that Session has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he's not playing well for the Kings and should ride the pine.

It's also possible that the Kings might be wanting to trade Sessions, and delegating him to the end of the bench wouldn't increase his value. Sessions isn't eligible to be traded until December 22nd. Hmmm, since were on the subject, I believe that Sessions and Williams salaries combined would equal what Stephenson is making. Lets see, Stephenson is making $9,000,000.00 a year and the combined salaries of Sessions and Williams is $ 8,756,866.00. Don't know if Charlotte is just interested in gaining some capspace next year or not, but if they are, then I'd certainly do this deal.

 

[Kingster]

It's also possible that the Kings might be wanting to trade Sessions, and delegating him to the end of the bench wouldn't increase his value. Sessions isn't eligible to be traded until December 22nd. Hmmm, since were on the subject, I believe that Sessions and Williams salaries combined would equal what Stephenson is making. Lets see, Stephenson is making $9,000,000.00 a year and the combined salaries of Sessions and Williams is $ 8,756,866.00. Don't know if Charlotte is just interested in gaining some capspace next year or not, but if they are, then I'd certainly do this deal.

I considered that explanation, but it doesn't make any sense to me. Nobody in the league would touch him in a trade. He's absolutely radioactive. I can't believe in the trade scenario unless I believe in the greater fool theory for GMs, which I don't.

A good Sessions makes perfect sense for coming off the bench. A guy who can put it in the hole without having a Cousins on the floor, a guy who can create shots on his own, a point a minute guy, a high PERS guy. Unfortunately, Sessions just isn't that guy. Maybe we can get that guy with a 2nd round draft pick.

 

[Bricklayer]

It's also possible that the Kings might be wanting to trade Sessions, and delegating him to the end of the bench wouldn't increase his value. Sessions isn't eligible to be traded until December 22nd. Hmmm, since were on the subject, I believe that Sessions and Williams salaries combined would equal what Stephenson is making. Lets see, Stephenson is making $9,000,000.00 a year and the combined salaries of Sessions and Williams is $ 8,756,866.00. Don't know if Charlotte is just interested in gaining some capspace next year or not, but if they are, then I'd certainly do this deal.

About the deal that would be reasonable if they were just trying to dump him. Our spare parts for your unwanted cancer.

On the other hand the trick to actually prying him away might be Nik. So, you have to be sure you know what you're about.

 

[Tetsujin]

About the deal that would be reasonable if they were just trying to dump him. Our spare parts for your unwanted cancer.

On the other hand the trick to actually prying him away might be Nik. So, you have to be sure you know what you're about.

Well, Sessions was a big part of the Hornets squad last season until they traded him for Gary Neal. If the situation is as toxic this year as people seem to think it is, I could see their GM possibly doing the move in an attempt to get things closer to last year.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

It's also possible that the Kings might be wanting to trade Sessions, and delegating him to the end of the bench wouldn't increase his value. Sessions isn't eligible to be traded until December 22nd. Hmmm, since were on the subject, I believe that Sessions and Williams salaries combined would equal what Stephenson is making. Lets see, Stephenson is making $9,000,000.00 a year and the combined salaries of Sessions and Williams is $ 8,756,866.00. Don't know if Charlotte is just interested in gaining some capspace next year or not, but if they are, then I'd certainly do this deal.

On the other hand, his perceived value has been his averages from the past. He's certainly not helping his value by continuing to play anything like he is now. Maybe it's better off to sit him down and let him nurse the "injury" that we heard about. Let him hold on to his value from before

 

[est.1999]

Dear God, sessions, you are terrible.