Derek Fisher back to the Lakers

[Arena Skeptic]

Just a small reaction from me...

Fisher did and said all the right things during the playoffs, missing games against the Warriors to take care of a very sick infant (as a father of two, I fully support and respect what he did), and the fans in Utah loved him and supported him.

Then, the Jazz says, "Sure, we'll release you to take care of your child."

So what does Fisher do? Almost as soon as possible, re-signs with the Lakers.

There could easily be a side to this I don't know (and can never know), but all the respect I had for his decision went out the window. It's to the point where I sort of hope the Jazz have legal recourse against the guy. That was bogus; Fisher didn't leave for any kind of "higher purpose" at all. He used his situation to land where he wanted, period.

If Jazz fans are mad at Fisher today, I totally understand why.

What do you folks think?

(And, for the record, I don't think this improves the Lakers a bit.)

 

[Double-K]

Did he actually got released by the Jazz or did his contract just ran out?

 

[VF21]

Fisher made it clear he was primarily leaving Utah to move back to a city where the proper medical assistance could be obtained for his daughter. The Jazz, I am sure, were fully aware he might sign with another team.

You're reading way too much into it, IMHO.

 

[Warhawk]

Fisher made it clear he was primarily leaving Utah to move back to a city where the proper medical assistance could be obtained for his daughter. The Jazz, I am sure, were fully aware he might sign with another team.

You're reading way too much into it, IMHO.

Correct. LA is one of the few locations that had the proper facilities to give her the care she needs. The Jazz knew what was going on - he would re-sign in an LA or NY - but it had to be a place that would work medically. Jazz were just being good to a player who had specific family demands. Props to them.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Correct. LA is one of the few locations that had the proper facilities to give her the care she needs. The Jazz knew what was going on - he would re-sign in an LA or NY - but it had to be a place that would work medically. Jazz were just being good to a player who had specific family demands. Props to them.

I don't think they had a hard time releasing Derek Fisher from a 21 million dollar remaining contract. Fish is a good guy and all but he's not worth that, not by a long shot.

 

[Merdiesel]

I couldn't understand why he left his deathly ill child to play in a basketball game. How could you go play a game when something like this happens, your baby could not be there when you get back.

Theres no way I could leave my family to play a game.
thought that was kinda weird.

 

[Warhawk]

I couldn't understand why he left his deathly ill child to play in a basketball game. How could you go play a game when something like this happens, your baby could not be there when you get back.

Theres no way I could leave my family to play a game.
thought that was kinda weird.

Check out the story here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/11/s...tml?ex=1184472000&en=6ff958419ca14865&ei=5070

The procedure was scheduled for Wednesday morning at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, but Abramson knew that the Jazz had a playoff game Wednesday night. Abramson is no basketball fan, but he was an alternate on the 1960 United States Olympic swim team, so he understands the pull of athletic competition.
Abramson asked Fisher whether they should try to push the appointment back. “Absolutely not,” Abramson recalls Fisher telling him. “Just do what’s best for my child. How many games I miss in the playoffs is totally irrelevant.”
Abramson was still not convinced. “I understand,” he remembered telling Fisher. “But this is the pinnacle of what you do. Maybe we can make some adjustments.”
Fisher was unmoved. “Absolutely not,” he said again.
The procedure went off as scheduled. Abramson and Gobin said they did not rush, but they were aware of the clock. Gobin, who grew up in France, spent nine years at U.C.L.A. Medical Center, rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers when Fisher was their point guard.
Abramson and Gobin told Fisher late Wednesday afternoon that the procedure was a success, clearing the whole family to fly back to Salt Lake City. On the Jazz’s private jet, Fisher started to visualize Utah’s opponent, the Golden State Warriors.

 

[venom_7]

on a few points: His daughter has a rare cancer which is in her eye. Chances of it being fatal are slim to none, unless she doesn't get any treatment at all. Right now they are trying to save her eye. So I don't think its that bad, the man has to make a living somehow.

 

[chrisnu]

Not a bad move by Fisher. It is, however, a bad move for the Lakers. The Lakers paid him $3 million per season, during his first stint in LA. Fisher's getting older suddenly makes him more valuable? It's not like there was a huge market for Fisher in the first place. The move reeks of nostalgia.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Not a bad move by Fisher. It is, however, a bad move for the Lakers. The Lakers paid him $3 million per season, during his first stint in LA. Fisher's getting older suddenly makes him more valuable? It's not like there was a huge market for Fisher in the first place. The move reeks of nostalgia.

Couldn't agree more, LA is clueless. Kobe will be gone in two years if not sooner.

 

[Bricklayer]

Couldn't disagree more -- this is mana from heaven for the Lakers. They needed a solid PG who could run that offense. Not a star, jsut a solid guy who could make smart decisions. And who should come falling right into their lap but Deeker Fisher, their old PG from their title teams, the single most familair PG in the entire league wiht the offense run at its best, and a pal of Kobe's.

The lakers could not have written a better script. Now they can go focus on getting that second star and know that the PG hole has been patched, at least as well as it needs to be if they land another huge star ala KG or Jermaine. Smart, steady, no ego, good locker room guy. Perfect.


As an aside, I too thought it ironic/almost painful that Fisher landed back with the Lakers. If it had been anything other than one of the biggest cities in the country, and hence one almost sure to have the magic medicine mojo that his daughter needs, I would be suspicious. As is, L.A. would clearly be one fo the places likely to have every speciailist on Earth, so it makes snese, and his former team being there is just fortuitous. If he had used to play for Portland and ended up back there I would be suspicious.

P.S. don't criticize Fisher for his playoff performance -- that was great stuff. Torn between conflicting loyalties, he did his dnadest to be their for everybody. Should be lauded, not snarked.

 

[Superman]

Couldn't disagree more -- this is mana from heaven for the Lakers. They needed a solid PG who could run that offense. Not a star, jsut a solid guy who could make smart decisions. And who should come falling right into their lap but Deeker Fisher, their old PG from their title teams, the single most familair PG in the entire league wiht the offense run at its best, and a pal of Kobe's.

The lakers could not have written a better script. Now they can go focus on getting that second star and know that the PG hole has been patched, at least as well as it needs to be if they land another huge star ala KG or Jermaine. Smart, steady, no ego, good locker room guy. Perfect.

I disagree.

Not that the Lakers didn't need a solid PG who could run the offense. That's absolutely true. I don't agree that Derek Fisher is that guy. Even if they were to acquire KG or Jermaine, I don't think Derek Fisher is the answer for them at PG. He's a hell of a lot better than Smush Parker or Shammond Williams (who just suddenly became available), and Jordan Farmar will definitely benefit from playing with someone as experienced with the triangle as Fisher is, but Fisher isn't the guy the Lakers needed starting at the point. Maybe coming off the bench, but not starting.

When I think of Fisher, I think of a guy who will hit the open jumper from the corner, will play hard and who knows the offense. But I also think of a guy who isn't the best ball-handler and isn't proficient at creating shots for others - not that he'd necessarily have to playing with Kobe and another superstar like JO or KG. But he also has extreme defensive deficiencies that will be highlighted against the elite Western conference playoff veteran at point guard (ala Tony Parker, Baron Davis, Steve Nash) and the young up-and-comers (like Chris Paul, Derron Williams, Luke Ridnour, Devin Harris).

I expected Fisher to wind up back in LA (it was either the Lakers or the Knicks, I suppose). But I don't think it does much for them, other than providing them with another player who can hit open shots.

 

[Bricklayer]

I disagree.

Not that the Lakers didn't need a solid PG who could run the offense. That's absolutely true. I don't agree that Derek Fisher is that guy. Even if they were to acquire KG or Jermaine, I don't think Derek Fisher is the answer for them at PG. He's a hell of a lot better than Smush Parker or Shammond Williams (who just suddenly became available), and Jordan Farmar will definitely benefit from playing with someone as experienced with the triangle as Fisher is, but Fisher isn't the guy the Lakers needed starting at the point. Maybe coming off the bench, but not starting.

When I think of Fisher, I think of a guy who will hit the open jumper from the corner, will play hard and who knows the offense. But I also think of a guy who isn't the best ball-handler and isn't proficient at creating shots for others - not that he'd necessarily have to playing with Kobe and another superstar like JO or KG. But he also has extreme defensive deficiencies that will be highlighted against the elite Western conference playoff veteran at point guard (ala Tony Parker, Baron Davis, Steve Nash) and the young up-and-comers (like Chris Paul, Derron Williams, Luke Ridnour, Devin Harris).

I expected Fisher to wind up back in LA (it was either the Lakers or the Knicks, I suppose). But I don't think it does much for them, other than providing them with another player who can hit open shots.

Um, the Lakers won titles with Derek Fisher just being Derek Fisher alongside old roleplaying PFs, a defensive roleplaying SF, and then two superstars in Kobe/Shaq. Same player. Pretty much same guy he is today. Not great to be sure, but just smart and out of the way. That's all PJ asks. If the Lakers actually have to rely on him for numbers, that's obviously another issue. But they could do no better, cheaper, this sumemr given their situation. Get hima second star and the same structure is there as during all those title runs. Walton = Fox without the defense. Kwame or Odom or Bynum or whoever gets to be the other random big. And then Kobe and the superstar get to be the engines. Of course that star is not going to be Shaq, so I predict no titles, but going back to that same structure should make them formidable again.

 

[quick dog]

I don't think his daughter's medical condition had anything to do with the trade decision. Last time I checked, Salt Lake City still had an airport.

Some Sacramento Kaiser HMO patients go to San Francisco for treatments of that particular eye disease. I believe that Fisher was sending his daughter to NYC for treatment. Would they change doctors? Doubt it.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Couldn't disagree more -- this is mana from heaven for the Lakers. They needed a solid PG who could run that offense. Not a star, jsut a solid guy who could make smart decisions. And who should come falling right into their lap but Deeker Fisher, their old PG from their title teams, the single most familair PG in the entire league wiht the offense run at its best, and a pal of Kobe's.

The lakers could not have written a better script. Now they can go focus on getting that second star and know that the PG hole has been patched, at least as well as it needs to be if they land another huge star ala KG or Jermaine. Smart, steady, no ego, good locker room guy. Perfect.


As an aside, I too thought it ironic/almost painful that Fisher landed back with the Lakers. If it had been anything other than one of the biggest cities in the country, and hence one almost sure to have the magic medicine mojo that his daughter needs, I would be suspicious. As is, L.A. would clearly be one fo the places likely to have every speciailist on Earth, so it makes snese, and his former team being there is just fortuitous. If he had used to play for Portland and ended up back there I would be suspicious.

P.S. don't criticize Fisher for his playoff performance -- that was great stuff. Torn between conflicting loyalties, he did his dnadest to be their for everybody. Should be lauded, not snarked.

While that might sound all perfect and cuddly in a fairy tale book, in reality it was a horrible fit. Fisher can't defend, he can't drive and finish at the basket, and he doesn't facilitate. All he does is hit threes and bring the ball up. Sure all those intangibles are nice but if you don't have the talent it's just a heartwarming storyline. On the court Fisher doesn't provide much more tangible skills than Parker did, he just won't be a total jerk/dumbass like Smush. He's a smarter more likeable Smush Parker except he's 33, declining, and just took their MLE. The lakers needed a PG who can defend, Fisher is not that.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Um, the Lakers won titles with Derek Fisher just being Derek Fisher alongside old roleplaying PFs, a defensive roleplaying SF, and then two superstars in Kobe/Shaq. Same player. Pretty much same guy he is today. Not great to be sure, but just smart and out of the way. That's all PJ asks. If the Lakers actually have to rely on him for numbers, that's obviously another issue. But they could do no better, cheaper, this sumemr given their situation. Get hima second star and the same structure is there as during all those title runs. Walton = Fox without the defense. Kwame or Odom or Bynum or whoever gets to be the other random big. And then Kobe and the superstar get to be the engines. Of course that star is not going to be Shaq, so I predict no titles, but going back to that same structure should make them formidable again.

Except Fisher is 33 years old, they don't have the defense they used to and they're not getting any superstar that comes even close to Shaq. So Fisher's weaknesses won't be as disguised. They needed talent more than anything, not another suposed triangle wizz. At least Luke Walton a supposed triangle wizz actually facilitates while Fisher will just stand on the perimeter waiting for someone to kick the ball out for him.

 

[Superman]

Um, the Lakers won titles with Derek Fisher just being Derek Fisher alongside old roleplaying PFs, a defensive roleplaying SF, and then two superstars in Kobe/Shaq. Same player. Pretty much same guy he is today. Not great to be sure, but just smart and out of the way. That's all PJ asks. If the Lakers actually have to rely on him for numbers, that's obviously another issue. But they could do no better, cheaper, this sumemr given their situation. Get hima second star and the same structure is there as during all those title runs. Walton = Fox without the defense. Kwame or Odom or Bynum or whoever gets to be the other random big. And then Kobe and the superstar get to be the engines. Of course that star is not going to be Shaq, so I predict no titles, but going back to that same structure should make them formidable again.

They didn't win anything because of Derek Fisher. He was just on the team and filled a role. Started a grand total of 77 games during the championship run. He knows the offense, but he's not perfect for them or just what they needed. I don't think he necessarily makes them better because he relies on other people to make him better.

He's not really a starting caliber point guard in either conference, much less the West where all the star point guards made the playoffs last season, and there are three or four waiting to emerge.

I just don't think there's anything special about Derek Fisher coming to the Lakers.

 

[Merdiesel]

on a few points: His daughter has a rare cancer which is in her eye. Chances of it being fatal are slim to none, unless she doesn't get any treatment at all. Right now they are trying to save her eye. So I don't think its that bad, the man has to make a living somehow.

Give me a break, Sprewell...

 

[VF21]

I don't think his daughter's medical condition had anything to do with the trade decision. Last time I checked, Salt Lake City still had an airport.

Some Sacramento Kaiser HMO patients go to San Francisco for treatments of that particular eye disease. I believe that Fisher was sending his daughter to NYC for treatment. Would they change doctors? Doubt it.

It wasn't a trade. Utah released Fisher from his contract. He wasn't bought out and they don't owe him anything. It was a mutual agreement by both parties.

 

[kennadog]

on a few points: His daughter has a rare cancer which is in her eye. Chances of it being fatal are slim to none, unless she doesn't get any treatment at all. Right now they are trying to save her eye. So I don't think its that bad, the man has to make a living somehow.

If it was in only one eye, the procedure was almost certainly removal of the eye, as I understand the treatments.

http://www.retinoblastoma.com/frameset1.htm

If it's in both eyes, they remove the worst eye and try to save the remaining eye, but there's no guarantees and the treatments themselves can impair the vision over the longer term.

It's pretty darn scary and if it was my child, I'd probably be scared out of my mind. If I had options for my family's situation and could afford it, I'd rearrange my life to have my child be seen by the very best experts I could.

While Horry was in LA, his family stayed in Texas so their daughter could stay close to her specialists in Houston. It must have been difficult to be away from his family so much.

http://espn.go.com/magazine/vol5no12horry.html (2001 ESPN article)

Sorry, I just have to admire people who put what they think is best for their family over anything else. To me, they have their priorities straight.

 

[Bricklayer]

while Fisher will just stand on the perimeter waiting for someone to kick the ball out for him.

What people keep on missing is that is exactly what you NEED to do in the triangle. Be solid. Hit shots. Defense would be nice.

Thsi was always why Jason Kidd was an abysmal fit for the triangle, and I assume that PJ would have still tried to run that syustem even with him. Same as it was with Payton. The triangle is NOT PG friendly. You can't, or never have, had a star ball domainating PG in PJs version of the triangle. It is completely roleplayer friendly, and Fisher gives them everything that the position requires to, as mentioned, win a title, IF the other pieces are there. Just be solid, be smart, hit open looks and big shots. A little leadership helps too.

PJ title PGs: John Paxson, BJ Armstrong, Ron Harper, Brian Shaw, Derek Fisher. And they just got one of them back in a summer when there were few if any other good candidates out there. At the start of summer they could not have anticipated such good fortune. They were kind of screwed.

And the 33 thing really isn't huge either -- Fisher hasn't slowed down yet and had one of his bbetter seasons, and the roleplayers in PJs systems have very often been old experienced saavy hands, including most of those PGs. Not a one of them ever scored 15ppg for PJ I don't think.

 

[Gargamel]

I don't think they had a hard time releasing Derek Fisher from a 21 million dollar remaining contract.

Bingo. They probably bit at the chance, aamof.