Does Sessions (and Hill off the bench) make the Lakers legit contenders now?

[MosheP]

The problem with Sessions is that he's a ball dominant pick'n'roll guard. Diminishing returns with Kobe. But he isn't just an incremental improvement over Fisher. He's a gigantic one. And the penetration off the dribble will really change the kind of challenges the Lakers offense brings. It was very easy to defend the Lakers for teams with good post defense because nobody else besides Kobe and his inefficient pull-ups could create their own shot and they had no outside shooters to punish you. Now, if they can gel, they can build a fairly versatile and dangerous offense.

[greenhead85]

Goudelock is their guy in that spot. He will be one helluva big time shooter someday - just like Fish. He is still raw at the moment although he is slowly getting there. Watch his game and his stats. He brings in the winning margins (not to be confused with winning baskets), the 3s and some PG chores. Just that he isn't there yet. I believe Sessions is their guy who can transition him to be their future PG. Plus, Sessions would prevent missed opportunities in their transition game which Fish couldn't do on a consistent basis anymore.

So yes he makes LAL better. Contender? Because of him? Nah. He will tire out the PGs of the better teams and they would bring in Goudelock to drop those 3 pt bombs when the opportune time comes. They remain as contenders without Sessions. It's just that they need to fill in some "small" needs. Not really the guy who makes the difference for them.

[Donoghus]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe. 

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

[greenhead85]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe. 

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

OKC has no answer for Kobe and Bynum. Similarly, LAL has no answer for KD and Westbrook. With Sessions, Westbrook's energy and movement will be reduced. Of course, that will be a big IF. Kobe wont waste his energy chasing Westbrook but he'd be ok if pitted against Harden.

[MBunge]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe. 

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

OKC has no answer for Kobe and Bynum. Similarly, LAL has no answer for KD and Westbrook. With Sessions, Westbrook's energy and movement will be reduced. Of course, that will be a big IF. Kobe wont waste his energy chasing Westbrook but he'd be ok if pitted against Harden.

In LA's one game against OKC so far this season, Bynum played 41 minutes, put up 14 and 12 while going 5-15 from the field.  If Perk and the other Thunder bigs can hold Bynum to roughly that, it will be almost impossible for the Lakers to win.

Mike

[snively]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe. 

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

OKC has no answer for Kobe and Bynum. Similarly, LAL has no answer for KD and Westbrook. With Sessions, Westbrook's energy and movement will be reduced. Of course, that will be a big IF. Kobe wont waste his energy chasing Westbrook but he'd be ok if pitted against Harden.

Sefalosha and Perk are fine options to defend Kobe and Bynum.

[bfrombleacher]

I hope losing Fisher screws their entire chemistry up.

[aporel#18]

They stay the same. Sessions is a good player, may improve their perimeter D and can penetrate, but you need the ball to drive to the hoop  

As of today, Mike Brown is still their coach, and Co-b will be chucking 20plus shots a game. They are in the elite group, but I doubt these trades have put them over the top to get out of the West.

There are some good teams in the West, and some of them could be more dangerous come playoff time (Dallas, Memphis if Z-Bo can be back healthy, San Antonio). OKC is the favorite, but the rest won't be that easy to beat.

[greenhead85]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe.  

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

Sefalosha and Perk are fine options to defend Kobe and Bynum.

Kobe's scoring output this year is phenomenal considering that his age is almost similar to PP. He is currently the NBA's scoring leader. He is at his best once all positions are covered by his teammates. He would be scary. He and Bynum's positions are where the mismatches are created. Only KD now creates the mismatch for his team.

[RMO]

What am I missing here?  I'll admit I don't know much about Sessions but I find it hard to believe that this signing catapults the lakers into the favorites in the west category.  No doubt it's an upgrade (in terms of skill) but the lakers issues went a lot further than just their point guard.  Their bench is terrible and lets not forget, no less than a couple weeks ago there were rumblings about vets not liking Brown's schemes and wanting to go back to the triangle.  All is well now that they've won a few games but what happens when they lose a few and that voice of reason is no longer there?

[wdleehi]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe. 

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

OKC has no answer for Kobe and Bynum. Similarly, LAL has no answer for KD and Westbrook. With Sessions, Westbrook's energy and movement will be reduced. Of course, that will be a big IF. Kobe wont waste his energy chasing Westbrook but he'd be ok if pitted against Harden.

Sefalosha and Perk are fine options to defend Kobe and Bynum.

Yep.  In the only game against each other this year, both Kobe and Bynum shot under 40%.

[j804]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe. 

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

OKC has no answer for Kobe and Bynum. Similarly, LAL has no answer for KD and Westbrook. With Sessions, Westbrook's energy and movement will be reduced. Of course, that will be a big IF. Kobe wont waste his energy chasing Westbrook but he'd be ok if pitted against Harden.

Sefalosha and Perk are fine options to defend Kobe and Bynum.

Yep.  In the only game against each other this year, both Kobe and Bynum shot under 40%.

Kobe would be ok against Harden?? I don't know about that seems Harden figured him out Kobe was smothered the last time they played couldn't do anything.

[Chelm]

Not sure if they'll get by OKC but they're certainly contenders as long as they have that frontcourt healthy and Kobe. 

I really think the West is OKC on one tier followed by 2-3 teams on the next tier.  I place the Lakers there.

OKC has no answer for Kobe and Bynum. Similarly, LAL has no answer for KD and Westbrook. With Sessions, Westbrook's energy and movement will be reduced. Of course, that will be a big IF. Kobe wont waste his energy chasing Westbrook but he'd be ok if pitted against Harden.

Sefalosha and Perk are fine options to defend Kobe and Bynum.

Yep.  In the only game against each other this year, both Kobe and Bynum shot under 40%.

Kobe would be ok against Harden?? I don't know about that seems Harden figured him out Kobe was smothered the last time they played couldn't do anything.

I feel like, in general, Kobe beats himself more than any 1 on 1 defender has.  I mean, maybe some irritate him more, but when he's on, his shots fall no matter what, and when he's off, it really doesn't take a seriously great defender to beat him.

[Who]

The Lakers are still pretty weak (in terms of being a legit title contender) but then again so is the rest of the West outside of OKC.

I don't think much has changed. They have some small improvements but they still are who they are.

[pearljammer10]

I hope losing Fisher screws their entire chemistry up.

I could easily see this happening.