When I attended the Lakers’ game against Utah Sunday night I focused on Ramon Sessions, the team’s new point guard.
Immediately, he made an impression with his speed. Session’s presence changes the personality of the 2012 Lakers from a slow-moving team to a team that wants to run. He gets the ball upcourt quickly and teammates better keep up.
I don’t dispute the fact that the 25-year-old guard is an upgrade from 37-year-old Derek Fisher.
But it’s possible the Lakers are going to regret cutting ties with fisher, especially if he joins a championship contender and makes a game-winning shot in a playoff game against the Lakers.
As you know, Fisher has made some memorable game-winners for the Lakers over the years... And not just in the past.
This season he has stayed in a corner when Kobe Bryant dribbles and attracts defenders. Then Bryant passes to an unguarded Fisher, who makes the shot.
How recently? Well, just last week in New Orleans as the Lakers rallied to win a game that seemed lost.
My friend, veteran New York Post writer Peter Vecsey, wrote:
“Sessions will help the Lakers but I guarantee he’ll never make a long game-winner at the final buzzer.”
I like intangibles, and that’s what Fisher contributed to the Lakers.
He called team meetings, he was able to sooth a smoldering Bryant on numerous occasions, he earned respect in the locker room for becoming president of the NBA Players Association.
He averaged only 5.9 points per game this season but has there ever been a more influential Laker who didn’t even average six points?
The Fisher departure has become a drama in the last few days because after Fisher was traded to Houston he didn’t report.
The league has rules about this. If a player doesn’t report the other player in the deal can’t play either. So, initially the Lakers couldn’t activate Jordan Hill.
Then Fisher’s representatives were given three days to reach a conclusion with the Rockets.
Fisher told the Houston club he’d like a buyout of his contract so he could sign with a team in championship contention. According to league rules he could sign with any team except the one who traded him (the Lakers).
How serious is Fisher about wanting to play for a contender in an attempt to win his sixth NBA championship? He has waived the money he was due next season, $3.4 million, in order to get the buyout from the Rockets.
At this writing he hadn’t signed with anyone but by the time you read this he probably has. The teams showing the most interest have been Miami and Oklahoma City.
LeBron James said Fisher would be a good fit for the Heat.
Fisher isn’t likely to be a starter anymore but he would bring class, leadership and some nifty outside shooting to a championship contender as a reserve.
Imagine four defenders surrounding Orlando center Dwight Howard, so he finds a wide open Fisher for a winning shot. That’s just a thought.
There could be a similar situation in San Antonio, with defenders bothering Tim Duncan. And there’s Fisher awaiting a pass.
The Lakers have become extremely budget-minded this season and didn’t want to pay Fisher’s salary for next season.
So Fisher had to go. The Lakers didn’t acquire a premier point guard but they got one who gives them a faster pace. Sessions comes from Cleveland, where he was beaten out this season by Kyrie Erving, the No. 1 player in the NBA draft from Duke.
He’s OK, but the Lakers may need more than OK to win in the playoffs.
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