Ramon Sessions Starting Makes Los Angeles Lakers Title Contenders: Fan Reaction

After the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Ramon Sessions, it took him until his fifth game with the team to start for Mike Brown. Since joining the Lakers, Sessions has averaged 13.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. Those numbers are impressive for a player coming from another team and being required to fit in with his new team right away. The Lakers needed a point guard and they certainly got one.

Even more impressive than his averages with the Lakers were his numbers after his first start with the team against the Portland Trail Blazers. Sessions scored 20 points, with 11 assists and six rebounds, far better than any single performance by former starting point guard Derek Fisher - who after being traded to the Rockets, worked out a buyout and signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Sessions not only put up stellar numbers, he looked comfortable with the Lakers' starting lineup, controlled the tempo of the game, and showcased his ability to score the basketball while remaining an effective point guard. I have to believe that with Sessions in the starting lineup for the Lakers, he makes them the team they have been trying to be all year.

Sessions just doesn't make the Lakers a more complete team; he also makes them significantly more competitive. His athleticism and vision are far superior to Fisher's despite the fact that Fisher provided the Lakers with some intangibles and locker room leadership. Sessions makes the Lakers a serious contender when before they were right on the fringe of being one.

They still sit two-and-a-half games behind the San Antonio Spurs for second place and six games behind the Thunder for first place in the Western Conference, but are going to at least challenge for the two-seed.

The Lakers can now focus on continuing their improved road play and continue to dominate at home, just as they have all year long. Sessions, in my mind, is the point guard of the future for the Lakers. He is young and can still improve greatly on his already impressive skillset.

The Lakers defeated the Trail Blazers 103-96 and while Sessions' performance was the talk of the night, Andrew Bynum returned to form scoring 28 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Also the offensive addition of Sessions takes some pressure off of the bigger role players of the Lakers. Kobe Bryant - who took just 17 shots - and Pau Gasol combined for just 28 points, but the Lakers were still able to pull off the victory.

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions - all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, "Not knowing any better". Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

NBA.com. Lakers vs. Trail Blazers Recap. NBA 2012.

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