As every Los Angeles Lakers fan knows, Derek Fisher is one of the best locker room guys in the NBA today. Fisher quickly turned into one of the leaders in the locker room for the Lakers during his time in Los Angeles helping manage the massive egos of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
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Fisher’s reputation around the league for bringing players together hasn’t gone unnoticed and as a result, he’s already a candidate to become a head coach next season.
Reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant talked about Fisher and how he believes he’ll be a great NBA coach once his playing days are over, according to ESPN:
Kevin Durant said Tuesday that teammate Derek Fisher has all the attributes to make a good NBA coach, if that’s the path his Oklahoma City Thunder teammate chooses after this season.
“Without a doubt. He’s a smart guy, smart mind. He’s a great motivator, great speaker and can really relate to a lot of guys and demands that respect from everybody,” Durant told the New York Post. “He’s a great locker room guy. I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”
As of right now, the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are two teams that have expressed interest in talking to Fisher about their coaching vacancy once the season comes to an end for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fisher has ties to both teams with Phil Jackson taking over in New York and winning five titles alongside Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.
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It remains to be seen if either team has an edge at this point in time, but the Lakers and Knicks will definitely be in play once the season is over for the veteran point guard.
Currently, there’s a long list of candidates for the Lakers with Los Angeles having the most desirable vacancy, but the Knicks remain in the running for a big name with Jackson pulling the string in New York.
If Fisher does decide to give coaching a try next season, it will more than likely be in New York or Los Angeles.
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