derek fisher

[djericho]

I'll be the first to admit I wasn't a big fan of Fisher's going back to the 2000-2002 3peat.

I always thought that he couldn't stay in front of the quicker pgs of the time like bibby, parker and in the finals against AI. Also he had trouble guarding bigger PGs like Kidd. I was like Phil and preferred the Ron Harper and Brian Shaws.

But Fish is a proven leader on the court and perhaps in the locker room. In that Houston series when he needed to he laid out Scola. That's just as good if not more of a statement than Phil getting 2 Technicals and leaving the game.

I'll take Fisher right now over a quicker PG, solidify the defense in the paint and it shouldn't be a problem.

[Anklebreaker702]

Fish will probabaly retire after next season, and as bad as he played in the playoffs he had some very clutch moments as well especially forcing OT in Game 4 of the Finals & hitting the dagger 3 that gave us the win. He always finds a way to make them when they matter most.

[LAKE_SHOW_GM]

Fish, Shaq, Kobe....none would have championships without each others presence. You can argue all you want Fish never was or never will be in the same class as those two, but he will always be mentioned in the same breath because he did his part at times to carry the great Lakers franchise. As a player he can do it 2 more years, as a coach he can have an equally impressive career.

[J Rob]

Biggest reason for not trading Fish is it would be a PR nightmare for the Lakers.

Second is for the leadership reasons already stated.

I really don't know if he'll be the starter all this year, but at the very least he will play out his contract with the Lakers.

Then, he can probably decide if he wants to join the coaching staff or look for another contract.

[iQon]

How can a Lakers fan not love Fish? I understand, he is not the same player; but wanting to get rid of him is slap in the face. Fish leaves when he wants in my book. Hopefully that's no time soon. I just trust him and we're really not ready to replace him yet. Not only will we not have the cap to acquire a decent FA for at least 5 years, but none of our young PG's are ready to replace him. We thought it was Farmar. Now we're hoping Brown gets more minutes and takes his spot.

[jdeej777]

In my book, Fish is already an institution for this decade's Lakers. I agree that mentioning Fish in any trade is a slap in the face... just not for the daughter's case, but because of what he did for the team, the leadership, the clutch shots, the pep talks, and all the things you guys already mentioned. He's one of the classiest person/athlete one should imitate.

I see him easing out on the playing time just like last year for fresh playoffs legs and maybe by mid season giving the reins to Brown/Farmar or whoever the Lakers coaching staffs decide
He's probably retiring after this season and I really hope he becomes the next asst coach or even the Lakers coach sometime in the future.

[Slava]

Derek Fisher is a rare player. I remember the 3s he made in that pivotal game in Orlando and I can't name any current PG other than Billups or Nash to even consider taking those shots, leave alone make them.

[Rain_Maker]

Fisher is the heart of the team, it just wont be the same with him not on the team

we need his clutchness also

and why would we trade him when nobody would want him since he is old

he is old and he can still produce pretty well so i dont mind having hi on the team

[VIPER8382]

Fisher is the heart of the team, it just wont be the same with him not on the team

we need his clutchness also

and why would we trade him when nobody would want him since he is old

he is old and he can still produce pretty well so i dont mind having hi on the team

I am keying in on the nobody would want him because he is old here.

Actually that is the only reason we would trade him. If we needed salary filler we know he would accept a buyout of his salary minus the vet min, we know the other team would accept that, and we know he would return for the vet min. Fisher will be with the Lakers this season (hopefully not logging many minutes at all, resting for the playoffs in case we need clutch shooting). He will only be traded if needed for salary filler, and would return after a buyout.

[Gus McCrae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RodiAAns6Jk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRBhle2IX4Y

[NBAWestFan]

Dfish is a captain not necessarily for his skills or youth but
for his leadership.

You don't trade a guy who gave up a huge contract to come for less for his sick daughter.

That could be like putting a curse on the team.

He might very well be a future Laker coach if he already isn't.

You don't trade this guy his intangibles help to keep Kobe and bring unity.

Lakers will need him to manage the players and help develop them into men.
and possiblty defensive backs. just kidding fish but that was quite a shot in the playoffs.

[NBAWestFan]

Trade Fish is like trading your brother.

Come on. Why would this even be mentioned.

[SApuro_]

No way you trade Fisher. He's old has to go through a couple of playoff series before he warms up but the guy is a laker through and through.

[grimjay]

Fisher's expiring contract gives benefit to Lakers more than any other teams in 2010/2011 season also.

Approximately, 90 mil for 2010/2011 salaries for Lakers has to pay to players without Fish and Ammo. Lakers has no room for trade or resign big contract anyways.