As we reported yesterday, early Sunday morning former Lakers guard Derek Fisher was involved in a car accident on the 101 Freeway. Fisher’s car flipped over, and when police arrived on the scene, they arrested Fisher for DUI. Fisher’s girlfriend, Gloria Govan, was in the car as well, but fortunately, neither of them were injured in the crash.
Both Fisher and Govan were spotted leaving Leo & Lilly, a restaurant in Los Angeles, by one of TMZ’s camera crews. They asked Fisher about the crash, and while he understandably didn’t appear too eager to talk about it, he did say this:
“I think the most important part is that we’re here and no one else was injured. So from here, just kinda focusing on the positives of being here…Just thankful and grateful for everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Prayer is powerful.”
Fisher declined to get into the specifics of the crash, but when the cameraman made a comment about hoping the situation doesn’t happen again, Fisher said “it won’t.”
To Lakers fans, Fisher has long been a favorite. He helped bring five championships to Los Angeles with his big-shot making and steady veteran presence. It was partially due to his skill as a leader that Phil Jackson made him the head coach of the New York Knicks shortly after his playing career ended. While that role didn’t last due to the struggled of the Knicks, it was still an indication of how well-respected Fisher is around the league that he was given a head coaching job in a massive market the moment his playing days ended.
From here, we can all hope that Fisher avoids these types of situations in the future and be thankful that no one was injured in the crash. Everyone, even a man praised for being a role model, makes mistakes in life that can become powerful learning experiences.