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I've heard widely mixed reviews from NBA fans on Derek Fisher's ability, his replace-ability on those Lakers' championship teams, and his value in general.

So, forgive me for not posing a more resolute topic, but what's your opinion on Derek Fisher's run with LA, in any and every aspect?

I want to get some context about what people think of him, especially on this forum.

I think he was invaluable because of his ability to take and hit those open shots with confidence and I think his defense was terribly undervalued as well. He always did a great job on Deron Williams and coped well with Nash in a couple of match ups. We often had to switch Kobe onto the quicker PGs but then again those guys routinely abuse each other anyways, he did a great job chasing guys like Ray Allen or Sefolosha through screens and off the 3 point line in those match ups as well.

The King of Intangibles. Did the right things at the right time, super clutch, a natural leader, and sacrificed his body time after time.

Hall of Famer in my book of non-HOF talents. The consummate teammate. Did whatever it took to win. Tough as nails, he was our enforcer point guard:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3O7vTDquPs[/youtube]

He was the yin to Kobe's yang. As important an acquisition on that 2nd finals run as Pau Gasol, IMO. The spiritual leader of that team.

My favorite intangibles guy of all time. His uncanny ability to hit open jumpers and his underrated defense was great. This is why I have my d fish jersey somewhere in the closet.

If he was on the Celtics, his jersey would be retired, but we only retire HOF which he isn't one of them.

I like him. There was a moment that i really hate him for his terrible defense later in his career, but he answers my anger with endless clutch plays. Then i realized, he is no Jason Kidd but he had the strong determination to win, a natural born leader, that never ever give up.

Most people at that time said if lakers had better pg than fisher, then lakers won't need his clutch play. I think that was wrong, because basketball is not that simple, its has too many variables.


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lol this board hated the **** out of fisher for like the last 4 years of his career here.

I agree pretty much across the board.

I think he's criminally underrated in some circles because he wasn't an impact guy on the box score necessarily, but anyone who has played the game at a competitive level appreciates players like DFish. because he understands offensive systems, makes his rotations pretty accurately, and brings tenacity on the defensive end. He's also a polished leader, and perhaps one of his most valuable intangible qualities is his willingness to both defer, and his ability to step up when necessary. Sound like a lot of pretty take-for-granted/general traits for an NBA player, but in reality, hard to find someone (especially a guard, where egos/bad shot tendencies are highest in the NBA) who can fill those roles consistently.

As far as big moments go, us Lakers fans have a lot of dope memories thanks to this guy.

A perfect fit next to Kobe, I'll tell you that.

The difference between putting Nash at PG next to Kobe and Fisher at PG next to Kobe was night and day. Fisher was always a terrific defender, but lacked quickness.

who are we kidding? Fisher sucked balls, but he was fearless when it came to clutch shots. excellent team mate and locker room guy, but his D was atrocious. his flopping was irritating, but liked to be "in the washing machine".
he was Kobe's spiritual sensei, but boy did he suck balls.

his jersey should be retired, but displayed in the El Segundo practice facility.

I think his best season was when he returned to play for us. He came into a situation that was very antsy with Kobe's trade demand. Whether Kobe was on the court or not in training camp, he was huge in helping Phil and the coaching staff getting everybody else ready to play. He was also huge in containing Kobe and being someone he could lean on. He really helped the whole team and Bryant tread water until Kobe could see the improvements in Bynum and Farmar and the play of Odom/Walton/Turiaf.

Kobe saw the improvements and then boom, Pau Gasol. Things didn't look back.

A big reason: Derek Fisher.

Great locker room guy I guess. Only when he started doing too much is when people grew tired of him. I still remember the game against San Antonio where he fouled Roger Mason to put them up one resulting in a loss. Ugh actually now that I think about I hated the guy his last acouple of years here.

But you take the good with bad, if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have won game 3 against Boston.

snaquille oatmeal wrote:who are we kidding? Fisher sucked balls, but he was fearless when it came to clutch shots. excellent team mate and locker room guy, but his D was atrocious. his flopping was irritating, but liked to be "in the washing machine".
he was Kobe's spiritual sensei, but boy did he suck balls.

his jersey should be retired, but displayed in the El Segundo practice facility.

I wouldn't go as far as saying "he sucked" (LOL) because there's certainly a hell of a lot worse, but certain parts of his game were irritating, most notably his finishing on the break. Brutal.

You just had to take everything good he brought (leadership, shot making, effort) with the little bit of bad he brought.

TylersLakers wrote:

snaquille oatmeal wrote:who are we kidding? Fisher sucked balls, but he was fearless when it came to clutch shots. excellent team mate and locker room guy, but his D was atrocious. his flopping was irritating, but liked to be "in the washing machine".
he was Kobe's spiritual sensei, but boy did he suck balls.

his jersey should be retired, but displayed in the El Segundo practice facility.

I wouldn't go as far as saying "he sucked" (LOL) because there's certainly a hell of a lot worse, but certain parts of his game were irritating, most notably his finishing on the break. Brutal.

You just had to take everything good he brought (leadership, shot making, effort) with the little bit of bad he brought.

nah man, that's sentimentality talking he really did sucked balls, but like I said his jersey should be up in the rafters at El Segundo.

I always here people talk 15-1 and rightfully say Kobe was the best in the world and Shaq the most dominant ever but why do we ignore Fisher? For example in 01:

These are his basic Western Conference Playoff numbers:
MIN FG% 3P% FTM-FTA FT% REB AST BLK STL PF TO PTS

Fisher
-------
38.7 .516 .692 0.3-0.7 .500 5.0 2.7 0.0 1.3 3.0 0.7 14.0
36.8 .415 .357 2.5-3.5 .714 4.5 2.8 0.0 1.3 2.5 1.0 12.3
38.0 .457 .333 3.3-3.7 .909 5.3 4.7 0.0 1.0 1.7 0.0 15.7

Did you now the Lakers lost only a mere 6 games out 36 to close that year? And that all happened when Fisher returned! We won with the playoffs included 30/36 with Fisher in the lineup which is 83% of our games with him in the lineup.

Derek Fisher in closeout games in the playoffs:
21 ppg, 4 apg, 5 rpg, 58.3 fg% and shot 78% from three

That man was the best triangle point guard to ever play for Phil in that stretch yet he goes ignored? Do any of you guys forget how important he was then or feel he deserved a bit more praise than he gets ?

The guy had a 61.8 ts% in that playoff run and he shot 75% vs the Spurs from three.

snaquille oatmeal wrote:

TylersLakers wrote:

snaquille oatmeal wrote:who are we kidding? Fisher sucked balls, but he was fearless when it came to clutch shots. excellent team mate and locker room guy, but his D was atrocious. his flopping was irritating, but liked to be "in the washing machine".
he was Kobe's spiritual sensei, but boy did he suck balls.

his jersey should be retired, but displayed in the El Segundo practice facility.

I wouldn't go as far as saying "he sucked" (LOL) because there's certainly a hell of a lot worse, but certain parts of his game were irritating, most notably his finishing on the break. Brutal.

You just had to take everything good he brought (leadership, shot making, effort) with the little bit of bad he brought.

nah man, that's sentimentality talking he really did sucked balls, but like I said his jersey should be up in the rafters at El Segundo.

I wouldn't disagree.

... one of my favorites that played along side Kobe ...

... very clutch and his timing was always perfect ...

... my favorite D Fish moments ...

... Fisher's reaction after Pierce said that the finals series is not going back to LA ... and the way Fish responded in game 3 (the last lay up is my favorite)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQNOF7b1tUE

... his clutch 3 against the Magic (Finals series) ... we were trailing in the finals minutes of the game then boom ... there comes the 3 to tie the game ... and another clutch 3 to take the lead at OT ... ( i remember shouting and running around like crazy when Fish made the first 3) ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm9l1T_0Mt8

... the game winner against the Mavs after being swept at the playoffs ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s4DUjHUBXc

... and who could forget the 0.4 against the Spurs ??? (had we won the championship this year i would be a lot happier) ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mav2iBA1cwo

... always hoped he will retire as a Laker ... I remember i was shocked when he was traded ... it hurts to see him go ...

... anyways, D Fish will always be the best PG next to Kobe ...

Fish would be available to play every game; very underrated when you got a team with so many injuries the past few seasons. While he's playing, he's crafty, smart, and fearless. Willing to take the charges and flop when needed.

The guy wasn't spectacular, but he did what he could to win.

He might have gotten burnt a lot on D but he also wasn't EVER a turnstile or a pushover. He was never afraid to match up with bigger, faster, more talented players and he never took a possession off. There's a reason why he walked into a backup role with the Thunder.

The guy was a great player and he'll be a good coach well.

game 3, kobe? don't you mean DECOY?