Talking With Ramon Sessions

Ramon Sessions may be the best point guard in the NBA whom no one ever talks about. Criminally underused as a rookie last year, he still caught fire down the stretch, averaging 7.5 assists in the final 17 games, topping double-digit dimes six times and dropping a ridiculous 24 in a single game, the most by any player in the league.

Despite his impressive finish, Sessions has been stuck behind veteran Luke Ridnour for most of his second year. He finally got a chance to start (albeit out of position) when Michael Redd blew out his knee last month, and in his first game starting at his natural position when Ridnour went down with a broken thumb two weeks ago, Sessions exploded for 44 points and 12 assists against the Pistons.

I caught up with Sessions before Milwaukee's game in Detroit on Tuesday to talk about biding his time and his status as a restricted free agent this summer, and I also spoke to Scott Skiles to find out what Sessions' role would be once Ridnour returns to action.

Matt Watson: In the games that you've played against Detroit, you've put up some pretty amazing numbers. (Ed. note -- In four games, he's averaged 23.5 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds.) Detroit fans are probably wondering why you weren't playing [in the All-Star game]. What do you attribute your success to against this team?
Ramon Sessions: I mean, it's just like another game. I just try to go out and give what the defense gives me and just try to help the team as much as I can. If I got to come out and score, distribute the ball. It's not really just a Detroit thing – I try to come out with the same mentality every game.

Matt Watson: You spent some time in the D-League. You made a big trip last year because you were in the D-League and then you came back, had 24 assists in a game, and even this year you had 17. Was starting from the ground up a motivating factor?
Ramon Sessions: The night of the draft was motivating for me. Going 56th, I felt like a lot of teams passed on me. But you know, getting drafted by the Bucks was the best thing for me. And going down to the D-League was big for me. Going down there and getting minutes and just coming back up and being ready to go when your time is called, that was the biggest thing.

Matt Watson: In hindsight, now that you were a second-round pick, you're a restricted free agent this summer. Is that on your mind at all as your finishing up the season? Is it impossible to not think about that?
Ramon Sessions: It comes – it is what it is. You know, I don't really think about it. I just try to take it a game at a time. At the end of the year, it's going to be what it's going to be. My contract is going to be whatever it's going to be, you know what I mean? I just try to play well night in and night out and hopefully we get wins.

Matt Watson: So far this year you've started [14] games – is it safe to assume that playing time is going to be a big factor in where you end up wanting to go this summer?
Ramon Sessions: Oh, definitely. I mean, I just want to play. I'm a Buck now and I plan on being a Buck until they get rid of me. I'm just looking forward to just going out there and competing every night. We've got Detroit tonight, which is a great team, so we've got to take care of business.

Matt Watson: You were filling in for [Michael] Redd for a while. Is that a role that you're comfortable in, or do you have a preference of wanting the ball in your hands?
Ramon Sessions: I've been playing the one my whole career; this is the first time I've ever played the two, this season. But I mean, hey, if I have to go out there and play the two, I'll do it. I'll guard bigger guys and play the shooting guard position, it really don't matter – as long as I'm out there on the floor getting playing time, helping the team.


Given that Sessions put up similar numbers in the past without emerging as the clear-cut starter, we shouldn't take for granted that he's wrestled the starting job away from Ridnour. I asked Skiles how he plans to use those two together once Ridnour does return.

"Well, I'm going to wait and see exactly when it is," Skiles said. "The way we've been injured and banged up, something may just happen and make it easy, [so] who knows? We'll just wait and see when the day comes when Luke is ready. Luke and Ramon have played very well together for long stretches this year, so that's certainly an option. We'll definitely have options and just make the decision when he's ready."

As Sessions admitted, playing next to Ridnour is certainly better than not playing at all, but it'd be a shame if Skiles didn't allow Sessions to continue developing his point guard skills. Restricted free agents are rarely inundated with interest from other teams (and the present economy certainly won't help matters), but I won't be surprised if other teams consider a starting-caliber point guard and make offers accordingly.

The numbers don't lie: he's one of the best up-and-coming point guards in the game, and if the Bucks are ever going to emerge as a consistent playoff threat, it will be on the heels of young players like Sessions, not stopgap veterans.