The point guard conundrum

Kemba Walker should start. No, Ramon Sessions should start. No, Kemba. No, Ramon.

Oh boy.

The Charlotte Bobcats invested a lottery pick in Kemba Walker two drafts ago, and the feeling among fans (and supposedly, management) was that Walker was the future at the point. He was a proven winner at UConn with some elite skills and has oodles of potential if he was interested in improving. D.J. Augustin's rejection of a reasonable contract extension solidified that the point guard spot was Kemba's to lose.

Everything made sense. Everything seemed fine. Enter Ramon Sessions.

Sessions has been many a blogger's golden child for a number of years. His consistency and improvement have always been unquestionable, but ignored by the mainstream media. Problem was, Sessions wasn't interested in playing for bottom feeders and middling teams. Luckily Cleveland Cavaliers no longer needed him with Kyrie Irving taking the reigns. Sessions was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Cool.

Sessions solidified bloggers' beliefs that he was underrated, showcasing a consistent 3-point shot and the ability to play off the ball effectively in LA. The Lakers wanted to keep him, but the contract extension they offered wasn't good enough. Ramon wanted job security. He would test free agency, opting out of the final year of his deal.

Cool.

Then the Bobcats signed him.

Wait, what!? Ramon Sessions does not want to play for bottom feeders. The Bobcats are bottom feeders. Ramon Sessions wants security. He signed a two-year deal. And Kemba Walker was the future, right? Um, what is going on?

In his rookie season, Walker was unpredictable. He'd play great for some stretches, displaying elite quickness and a handle most guards would die for. Then he'd go Cory Higgins and try to do considerably more than he's capable of. The Bobcats aren't giving up on Walker, they're being patient with him.

Sessions is steady across the board; He shoots a great percentage for a guard, he's relatively good at taking care of the ball, and his awareness on both ends is terrific. While he lacks Kemba Walker's flash and natural ability, he's very polished. You know what you're getting with Sessions.

I'm of the opinion that the best way to develop talent is to throw young players into the fire and rescue them with veterans. It worked in Oklahoma City. It's beginning to work in Cleveland and Sacramento. The Bobcats don't share my ideals, and I don't blame them. They get paid to build successful teams; I do not.

Kemba Walker is still the future. Ramon Sessions is a temporary injection of control. That's what's going on. If Kemba progresses like I expect him to, he will eventually take over the starting spot. Maybe not this year, and maybe not even until the end of next year, but if he can capitalize on his natural ability and learn to pick his spots, Sessions will find his way to the bench. The Bobcats are building through the draft and scraps, and by the time Kemba, Biyombo, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist blossom, Sessions will be in his late 20s or early 30s.

This is temporary, but necessary. I don't like it, but I understand it.