Washington Wizards: The Return of Ramon Sessions
On Thursday, the Washington Wizards signed Ramon Sessions to a 10-day contract. It’s a homecoming for the veteran point guard, but also someone who can help Washington in the home stretch.
On Thursday, the Washington Wizards signed Ramon Sessions to a 10-day contract. Tomas Statoransky has been doing an excellent job holding down the fort while John Wall is out. Thus, some would argue how many point guards do they need?
What Washington needs, while Wall’s recovering, is someone who knows how to get to the free throw line. That skill is helpful in many aspects. Case in point, Washington’s most recent loss to Charlotte.
First, if the Wizards were aggressive inside the paint and drawing contact, it may have slowed Hornets’ momentum. Instead, Charlotte turned the game into a three-point circus.
Their recent loss to the Celtics was due to Kyrie Irving being able to draw contract. That game was won and lost at the free throw line.
Secondly, when the game is tight, a player who can make their free throws can make all the difference.
Of course the fouls don’t always swing in Washington’s favor. However, Sessions is someone who knows how to attack the basket, and is a salesman along the way.
He doesn’t flop, instead the veteran point guard does a very good job selling free throws. I wrote back in November that the Wizards should pick him up.
Prior to the Charlotte matchup, Session was asked what it’s like to be back in Washington:
"“It feels good. people always ask me, with being on so many teams, what’s a home team for you? I always come back to the Wizards. I was only hear a year and a half but it felt like it’s been longer than that with the run that we had. Just the fans and the support that I get, I’m glad I’m here. “"
Before Thursday’s signing, Sessions felt that the Wizards would be a landing spot when he left two years ago.
Although it’s a ten-day, he’s not thinking about it as such. He’s been in the league 11-years, the team’s been doing well and he’s glad to what ever he can to help keep things rolling.
Coach Brooks on Sessions
‘He gives us a very good professional approach to the game. Although it was before Brooks’ time, he heard a lot of great things about him—he’s always ready to play, locked in mentally and is always in good shape.’
Brooks isn’t sure how much time Sessions will get, but he feels “comfortable if we need him in a pinch”. With Tim’s Frazier‘s return, Washington has some coverage if one of their point guards go down or foul trouble.
Brooks added that Sessions “can play both positions”. Those were the magic words—both positions.
Fearless and free throws
Once in awhile Frazier will knock down a three, but for the most part he’s hesitant to drive the lanes. The “pure” point guard thing isn’t working.
There have been instances where Frazier is right by the basket and can take an easy shot, but he kicks it back out.
Sessions solves two problems. Frazier’s hesitancy to attempt a layup and his inability to get to the free throw line. Granted it’s not just Frazier who’s not aggressive inside the paint.
The second problem is that the shooting guard position lacks depth. Jodie Meeks is an 87 percent free throw shooter, but he hasn’t been using that to his advantage.
No one is trying to foul Meeks on a three-point attempt. However, if he stepped inside the line and went for a short jumper or even a layup, he may get more trips to the foul line.
It’s not asking Meeks to expand his game this late in the season, but rather to go with what works. If Meeks considers himself a three-point shooter, then taking two-point shots is already part of his skill set. He also has a better chance of getting more points on the board for Washington.
The Wizards still need more rim protection. However, they still have two-open roster spots, so one contract at a time.
Welcome back Ramon Sessions.