When I learned Derek Fisher was coming back to the Lakers, I was extremely happy. I didn’t know why, but I was genuinely happy he was returning. That was the first time I finally admitted to myself that Derek Fisher had slowly become one of my favorite players in the league.
Part of the reason I and everybody else was so happy to see him back was because of the nostalgia he brought. Fisher was a throwback to better times, he reminded me of the Lakers’ championship teams of the early 00’s and how he had been a key contributor to those teams. Seeing a familiar face come back to the Lakers was a happy sight.
Fisher had remained friends with Kobe throughout the years, and I’m sure Kobe was happy to see him back as well. In fact, Derek Fisher had entered the elder statesmen phase of his career. Teammates, opponents, and coaches all respected him for both his play on the court and his opinion off the court. He was the ultimate teammate, leader, and motivator.
It’s no coincidence that Fisher’s first season back on the Lakers was also the season they started winning. Obviously Bynum’s emergence as a dominant post player and the Pau Gasol trade were HUGE factors as well, but don’t discount Fisher’s 11 points per game, 40% three point shooting, or his locker room presence.
In his current stint with the Lakers, Fisher has shown again and again why he’s such a valuable player. Not convinced of his greatness? Take a look at Game 3 of last year’s finals and you’ll remember that the Lakers don’t win the championship without his heroics. What about Game 4 of the NBA finals two seasons ago where he hit two of the clutchest 3s in Lakers history? Or the 0.4 shot of the 2004 Western Conference Semi-Finals vs the Spurs?
0.4 Shot
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mav2iBA1cwo
Big Shots vs. the Magic
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWabHLi2rJY
Clutch Play against the Celtics
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8C0-8dAx5A
Still not convinced of Derek Fisher’s greatness? Here are a few more reasons:
There’s a reason why Fisher was heavily recruited this off-season. The Miami Heat, which had freshly assembled its Team of Extraordinary Ballplayers, tried their best to pry Fish away from the Lakers. In the end, Fish remained loyal to LA and Kobe and stayed with the Lakers.
Fisher is known as the ultimate role player. He’s always ready to play, and he can be depended on to make the right decision and not hurt the team. Fisher leads by example and he’s also a vocal leader on and off the court. Fish isn’t the kind of guy you build your team around, but there’s no doubt that whatever team he’s on benefits from his presence.
Fisher is known as one of the classiest guys in the league. Elbowing Luis Scola aside, everybody respects Fisher for his personality wherever he goes. Known as “el presidente,” Fisher was recently voted as the player most likely to become a coach someday. Additionally Fisher has been the president of the NBA Players Association since 2006, serves as color commentator for the LA Sparks, and he’s probably the only player Kobe Bryant 100% trusts. Fisher is the ultimate “glue” guy, and every championship team needs a player like him.
Elbowing Scola:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9E6rfgWpzY
At 36 years of age, Derek Fisher is one of the most durable players in the league. In his 14 years in the league, he’s played in every game of the season 9 times. In fact, take away the aforementioned 2000-2001 season where he missed 60 games due to a fracture in his foot, and Fisher has played in 1008 out of a possible 1034 games. He’s like Bruce Willis in Unbreakable, it’s like the dude’s got 9999 hit points or somethin’.
Some interesting Derek Fisher records: He has the highest 3 point field goal percentage in NBA finals history, he has played in the 5th most playoff games in NBA history, his 15-20 performance against the Spurs in 2001 is the best 3 point shooting performance in a 4 game series in NBA history, and Fisher has the 2nd most 3 point field goals in NBA finals history, second only to the legendary Robert Horry.
Here’s one of the personal reasons why I like D-Fish: Derek Fisher is short, buff, a good shooter, and has a penchant for hitting big shots. People have used the same adjetives to describe me.
Fisher was not the most talented player coming into the NBA. However, he worked on his game, played with his heart, and carved a niche for himself in the NBA. His work ethic, leadership skills, and clutch shooting have made him one of the most popular players of Laker fans everywhere.
As Fisher heads into the twilight of his career, he’ll likely take on more and more of a Ron Harper and Brian Shaw type role when they were on the Lakers. He may not be depended on to play an entire game, but when the game’s on the line you can be sure he’ll be in the game. He’ll continue his role as team leader and mentor, and he’ll continue to knock down big shots.
Fisher’s current contract is guaranteed through the end of the 2011-2012 season with a player option for the 2012-2013 season. My best guess is that he will remain with the team for the 2012-2013 season (assuming they remain competitive, cross your fingers), and he will retire following the 2013 season when he’s nearly 40 years old.
Derek Fisher is great. Although he may never be inducted into the Hall of Fame, I’d say right now there’s a 95% chance he will be the one who presents Kobe Bryant when he’s eventually inducted. Fish is about two or three big shots away from joining Robert Horry in legendary clutch-ness, and he’s hopefully 8 months away from winning his 6th championship ring.
Think about it, 6th championship ring. If Fisher wins his 6th ring, there will only be 9 players in the history of the NBA (all of them are Russell-era Celtics except Big Shot Rob) who have won more championships than Fish.
Derek Fisher is the heart and soul of the Lakers, and without him the Lakers don’t win championships. Fisher is a consummate professional, ice-cold assassin, and NBA hero. I’m sorry Derek for hatin’ on you all those years, and I just want you to know—we love ya.