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[Los Lakers]

By Ryan Ward
LakersNation.com

Derek Fisher Takes No Pleasure in Winning One More Title than Kobe Bryant

[img]http://www.lakersnat...00x199.jpg[/img]

Being three wins away from a sixth NBA title, Derek Fisher of the Oklahoma City Thunder is close to putting the icing on the cake of an extremely successful NBA career. Even though Fisher is on the verge of being mentioned with the likes of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and arguably the greatest player of all-time in Michael Jordan with six NBA titles, Fisher takes no pleasure in potentially winning one more title than former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Fisher was asked about whether or not he’ll be rubbing it in the next time he talks to Kobe if he wins a sixth ring via Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times:

“I don’t necessarily gain pleasure from seeing people that I’m close to not reach certain goals they have for themselves and their team. To me it’s kind of sacred ground. I’m not going there. Some people will, but not me.”

After the Miami Heat bounced back in Game 2 of the NBA Finals to even the series at one game apiece, Fisher and the Thunder will have their work cut out for them heading to South Beach for the next three games. The series format 2-3-2 in the Finals doesn’t exactly work in favor for the Thunder after losing Game 2 on their home floor at Chesapeake Energy Arena, but the team remains optimistic about forcing a Game 6 or closing out the Heat in Miami.

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Once the Finals are over and a new NBA champion is crowned, Fisher will head into free agency once again come July 1 after letting it be known that he has no intention of retiring. With the new CBA rules restricting Fisher’s return to the Lakers until March 15, the five-time (possibly six-time) NBA champion will either be looking to re-sign with the Thunder or gauge interest among title contenders around the league for a one or two-year deal.

Full article also found at LakersNation.com

[Lordoftherings]

I'll always love Fish for his contributions but sell that bs to the media DEREK. You're a class act and that is why you say gentlemanly things, but noone's buying you're not going to take pleasure in winning a 6th title. Especially because you were blinsided by the trade.

[Goodfella]

Lordoftherings, on 15 June 2012 - 03:36 PM, said:

I'll always love Fish for his contributions but sell that bs to the media DEREK. You're a class act and that is why you say gentlemanly things, but noone's buying you're not going to take pleasure in winning a 6th title. Especially because you were blinsided by the trade.

Amen to that! Who's he trying to kid here? Old Fisher's a cool cat, but like hell he ain't going to take pleasure in winning one more ring than Kobe. Fisher must be thinking "Hey Jim, irony's a bitch, ain't it?".

[Stereoids]

Of course Fisher's gonna say that openly. He ain't the trash-talkin type of dude. HOWEVER (haha), we all know damn well he's celebrating inside.

[EL GRANDE WHOPPO]

Stereoids, on 15 June 2012 - 05:02 PM, said:

Of course Fisher's gonna say that openly. He ain't the trash-talkin type of dude. HOWEVER (haha), we all know damn well he's celebrating inside.

He won't be celebrating at all if he continues to play like he did last night.  Has been on his last legs for awhile now. Brooks played him too many minutes last night.

[Lordoftherings]

EL GRANDE WHOPPO, on 15 June 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:

He won't be celebrating at all if he continues to play like he did last night.  Has been on his last legs for awhile now. Brooks played him too many minutes last night.

Man poor old FISH can't catch a break from WHOPPO lol. He's a role player and basically the team psychologist. Just look at how resilient the THUNDER are since FISH came aboard.
As I recall you trashed BATTIER as well and he's been shooting lights out and playing stellar defense.
FISHER is a big moment guy and he has already shown that he can refocus his team when they have struggled.
FISH was brought in because of his mental toughness and experience in the playoffs. The THUNDER already have two of the top 10 scorers in the NBA. What they have been lacking is steady leadership.

[EL GRANDE WHOPPO]

Lordoftherings, on 15 June 2012 - 07:27 PM, said:

Man poor old FISH can't catch a break from WHOPPO lol. He's a role player and basically the team psychologist. Just look at how resilient the THUNDER are since FISH came aboard.
As I recall you trashed BATTIER as well and he's been shooting lights out and playing stellar defense.
FISHER is a big moment guy and he has already shown that he can refocus his team when they have struggled.
FISH was brought in because of his mental toughness and experience in the playoffs. The THUNDER already have two of the top 10 scorers in the NBA. What they have been lacking is steady leadership.

Not going to give him a break. Battier has had a couple of good games so we will see how that turns out. Thunder wer a huge favorite to win the championship before they acquired Fisher. They would still be one without him. All these bullshit cliches about veteran leadership are just that, bullshit. Where did veteran leadership get Boston and San Antonio? Lakers had some veteran leadership as well. In the end it pretty much comes down to talent , defense and a few timely baskets. Fisher played way too many minutes for his talent level last night and shot poorly. If Thunder are looking for fisher to get them over the hump than they are really in trouble. The more minutes he polays tan the more he gets exposed defensively. Lakers finally figured that out this year.

[Lordoftherings]

EL GRANDE WHOPPO, on 15 June 2012 - 08:54 PM, said:

Not going to give him a break. Battier has had a couple of good games so we will see how that turns out. Thunder wer a huge favorite to win the championship before they acquired Fisher. They would still be one without him. All these bullshit cliches about veteran leadership are just that, bullshit. Where did veteran leadership get Boston and San Antonio? Lakers had some veteran leadership as well. In the end it pretty much comes down to talent , defense and a few timely baskets. Fisher played way too many minutes for his talent level last night and shot poorly. If Thunder are looking for fisher to get them over the hump than they are really in trouble. The more minutes he polays tan the more he gets exposed defensively. Lakers finally figured that out this year.

I agree that talent is the more important ingredient but it isn't an either or situation. As for the LAKERS maybe if they had FISHER on the team they win one or both of the games they gave away to the THUNDER. The games were close enough that a big shot could have won the game. FISHER hit two big jumpers in game one against the HEAT that changed the momentum and I believe restored confidence in the THUNDER after going cold and falling behind early.

The LAKERS were just too short handed to compete this year with subpar bench talent that forced extended minutes for all of the starters. All things considered the LAKERS starters played well with the NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF PAU. It could be compared to a boxer fighting for a championship with a broken hand. PAU was that broken hand his disappearing act cost the LAKERS opportunity after opportunity.

[Lordoftherings]

EL GRANDE WHOPPO, on 15 June 2012 - 08:54 PM, said:

All these bullshit cliches about veteran leadership are just that, bullshit. Where did veteran leadership get Boston and San Antonio? Lakers had some veteran leadership as well. In the end it pretty much comes down to talent , defense and a few timely baskets.

It is a make or miss league. A lot of good shots just didn't fall for the teams you are trashing. The SPURS executed as well as anyone but their shots stopped falling. Conversely SHANE BATTIER who did not shoot well this season came on when it mattered most. The HEAT don't win game two if BATTIER doesn't hit all of those threes. That is the nature of basketball. Whether you admit it or not BATTIER has had TREMENDOUS games that stopped a blowout in game one and was the difference in game two.

The CELTICS lost because they could not buy a basket in their final two games. The CELTICS outplayed MIAMI for four consecutive games. They just went cold and that cost them the series. TALENT is critical to any sport but offensive execution is the MOST IMPORTANT factor.

I'm smiling WHOPPO because FISHER just hit a THREE to beat the buzzer and keep the game within one. Which is what he was brought in to do. So it isn't as cut and dry as you are arguing.

[EL GRANDE WHOPPO]

Lordoftherings, on 17 June 2012 - 04:39 PM, said:

I agree that talent is the more important ingredient but it isn't an either or situation. As for the LAKERS maybe if they had FISHER on the team they win one or both of the games they gave away to the THUNDER. The games were close enough that a big shot could have won the game. FISHER hit two big jumpers in game one against the HEAT that changed the momentum and I believe restored confidence in the THUNDER after going cold and falling behind early.

The LAKERS were just too short handed to compete this year with subpar bench talent that forced extended minutes for all of the starters. All things considered the LAKERS starters played well with the NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF PAU. It could be compared to a boxer fighting for a championship with a broken hand. PAU was that broken hand his disappearing act cost the LAKERS opportunity after opportunity.

Maybe with Fisher on the team the Lakers would not have even been close enough to win.Was he going to be able to guard Westbrook or Harden? Maybe there is a reason they gave up a first round pick just to finally get him out of town. OKC once again played him too many minutes tonight and it cost them in the end. His game has so many deficiencies at this point I don't know what to say to you because you seem like a knowledgeable dude. Fisher is a weak link defensively, cannot create offense, cannot really shoot and cannot finish near the basket worth a shit.I guess other than that he is a good player. Like I said the Lakers won despite him the past couple of years and if OKC continues to play him more than half the game then they are going to lose. It does not matter that the Lakers lost close games to OKC because they were not going to beat them 4 times with the team that they had this year. Artest played like crap in the series and Iwould say that Kobe cost them more than Pau. Series was over with Game #2 loss and who blew that game? When you suck on the road you cannot give that game away and expect to come back and win 4 out of 5 against a better team. Fisher played like crap tonight when it really mattered. Her is a one dimensional player at this point and has been for a couple of years. He can every once in awhile knock down a 3-point shot, usually when he is left alone. On a team with the firepower of OKC he is going to get some open looks.The rest of his game sucks.

[EL GRANDE WHOPPO]

Lordoftherings, on 17 June 2012 - 05:00 PM, said:

It is a make or miss league. A lot of good shots just didn't fall for the teams you are trashing. The SPURS executed as well as anyone but their shots stopped falling. Conversely SHANE BATTIER who did not shoot well this season came on when it mattered most. The HEAT don't win game two if BATTIER doesn't hit all of those threes. That is the nature of basketball. Whether you admit it or not BATTIER has had TREMENDOUS games that stopped a blowout in game one and was the difference in game two.

The CELTICS lost because they could not buy a basket in their final two games. The CELTICS outplayed MIAMI for four consecutive games. They just went cold and that cost them the series. TALENT is critical to any sport but offensive execution is the MOST IMPORTANT factor.

I'm smiling WHOPPO because FISHER just hit a THREE to beat the buzzer and keep the game within one. Which is what he was brought in to do. So it isn't as cut and dry as you are arguing.

Smile all you want. He was a -9 tonight and no assists in nearly 30 minutes of play. He has one assist in 3 games on a team loaded with weapons. The sooner that Scotty Brooks figures this out and limits him to about 15 minutes the better off his team will be. He is shooting 41% for the playoffs. I am guessing most of his shots are jump shot that are coming off of open looks. When he drive to the hole he is lucky to hit iron. I won't even talk about what happens with him on the defensive end. I think the minus 9 says it all.
I agree that it is a make or miss league and I have no use for a guy who misses a lot more than he makes and has no other intangibles other than "leadership." Battier has stepped it up but when the fourth quarter comes around is he even part of the Heat offense?

[Lordoftherings]

EL GRANDE WHOPPO, on 17 June 2012 - 07:33 PM, said:

Maybe with Fisher on the team the Lakers would not have even been close enough to win.Was he going to be able to guard Westbrook or Harden? Maybe there is a reason they gave up a first round pick just to finally get him out of town. OKC once again played him too many minutes tonight and it cost them in the end. His game has so many deficiencies at this point I don't know what to say to you because you seem like a knowledgeable dude. Fisher is a weak link defensively, cannot create offense, cannot really shoot and cannot finish near the basket worth a shit.I guess other than that he is a good player. Like I said the Lakers won despite him the past couple of years and if OKC continues to play him more than half the game then they are going to lose. It does not matter that the Lakers lost close games to OKC because they were not going to beat them 4 times with the team that they had this year. Artest played like crap in the series and Iwould say that Kobe cost them more than Pau. Series was over with Game #2 loss and who blew that game? When you suck on the road you cannot give that game away and expect to come back and win 4 out of 5 against a better team. Fisher played like crap tonight when it really mattered. Her is a one dimensional player at this point and has been for a couple of years. He can every once in awhile knock down a 3-point shot, usually when he is left alone. On a team with the firepower of OKC he is going to get some open looks.The rest of his game sucks.

The LAKERS traded FISHER because they wanted to get rid of his salary. I've heard the same blame FISHER argument up until he was traded. Long after FISHER was gone the LAKERS were routinely abused by speedy PG's. That demonstrated clearly that the team defense was slow and confused. SESSIONS speed was supposedly the remedy to the PG matchup problem but it solved NOTHING. Even with all of SESSIONS speed he was embarrassed consistently.

FISHER isn't in OKC to be the lead PG even off of the bench. HARDEN does that and FISHER spaces the floor and rotates the ball. If the clock is winding down he takes the shot. He fights over screens and bodies up on the ball. That's his role period. He does all of those things very well  despite your criticisms. Coach VAN GUNDY has said as much throughout these playoffs and did so again tonight. Apparently We along with SCOTT BROOKS are seeing the same things. And recognize the value of a physical PG that fights over screens and pressures the ball. It takes a ton of energy to play that role not to mention  physical toughness. It isn't glamorous work but it is necessary.

HARDEN and CHALMERS both have struggled in the finals and have much more prominent roles than FISHER. If you compare their production to their minutes you will find that they have both been liabilities at certain points in the FINALS. Basketball is ebb and flow AND FISHER's role is to disrupt the opponents offensive flow. He's done that well. He is a help defender not a one on one matchup defender. That is HARDEN's role.

You're judging him as if he were the STARTER. FISHER's points off the bench kept OKC close again when the THUNDER struggled offensively. The THUNDER had this game won and blew it not because of FISHER, but because of HARDEN and a series of idiotic fouls that killed the THUNDER's momentum and allowed MIAMI to get back in the game. The THUNDER failed to defend the paint and to control the boards. Not one of those areas of responsibility is FISHER's. The overall defense of the THUNDER committed too many fouls. While the THUNDER repeatedly choked at the line. Sitting WESTRBROOK with DURANT already on the bench was a major blunder by SCOTT BROOKS.

[Lordoftherings]

EL GRANDE WHOPPO, on 17 June 2012 - 07:41 PM, said:

Smile all you want. He was a -9 tonight and no assists in nearly 30 minutes of play. He has one assist in 3 games on a team loaded with weapons. The sooner that Scotty Brooks figures this out and limits him to about 15 minutes the better off his team will be. He is shooting 41% for the playoffs. I am guessing most of his shots are jump shot that are coming off of open looks. When he drive to the hole he is lucky to hit iron. I won't even talk about what happens with him on the defensive end. I think the minus 9 says it all.
I agree that it is a make or miss league and I have no use for a guy who misses a lot more than he makes and has no other intangibles other than "leadership." Battier has stepped it up but when the fourth quarter comes around is he even part of the Heat offense?

You'd be right if FISHER's primary role were to score, but it's not. His role is to be a help defender and to rotate the ball. He does those things very well. He made a mistake fouling JONES behind the three point line but generally played well. How often do you see FISHER on the floor without HARDEN? There's your answer.

As for BATTIER he is another role player. His primary responsibility is to play defense and shoot the open three. He's now had three very good games in the FINALS. I think it's safe to say he's for real and has been a difference maker in this series. BATTIER's role is not as a closer in the fourth quarter that is left to LEBRON and WADE.

[EL GRANDE WHOPPO]

Lordoftherings, on 17 June 2012 - 09:22 PM, said:

You'd be right if FISHER's primary role were to score, but it's not. His role is to be a help defender and to rotate the ball. He does those things very well. He made a mistake fouling JONES behind the three point line but generally played well. How often do you see FISHER on the floor without HARDEN? There's your answer.

As for BATTIER he is another role player. His primary responsibility is to play defense and shoot the open three. He's now had three very good games in the FINALS. I think it's safe to say he's for real and has been a difference maker in this series. BATTIER's role is not as a closer in the fourth quarter that is left to LEBRON and WADE.

Battier has played well in this series. If Fisher rotates the ball so well how come he has just 1 assist in 3 games on a team with greart offensive options?

[EL GRANDE WHOPPO]

Lordoftherings, on 17 June 2012 - 09:14 PM, said:

The LAKERS traded FISHER because they wanted to get rid of his salary. I've heard the same blame FISHER argument up until he was traded. Long after FISHER was gone the LAKERS were routinely abused by speedy PG's. That demonstrated clearly that the team defense was slow and confused. SESSIONS speed was supposedly the remedy to the PG matchup problem but it solved NOTHING. Even with all of SESSIONS speed he was embarrassed consistently.

FISHER isn't in OKC to be the lead PG even off of the bench. HARDEN does that and FISHER spaces the floor and rotates the ball. If the clock is winding down he takes the shot. He fights over screens and bodies up on the ball. That's his role period. He does all of those things very well  despite your criticisms. Coach VAN GUNDY has said as much throughout these playoffs and did so again tonight. Apparently We along with SCOTT BROOKS are seeing the same things. And recognize the value of a physical PG that fights over screens and pressures the ball. It takes a ton of energy to play that role not to mention  physical toughness. It isn't glamorous work but it is necessary.

HARDEN and CHALMERS both have struggled in the finals and have much more prominent roles than FISHER. If you compare their production to their minutes you will find that they have both been liabilities at certain points in the FINALS. Basketball is ebb and flow AND FISHER's role is to disrupt the opponents offensive flow. He's done that well. He is a help defender not a one on one matchup defender. That is HARDEN's role.

You're judging him as if he were the STARTER. FISHER's points off the bench kept OKC close again when the THUNDER struggled offensively. The THUNDER had this game won and blew it not because of FISHER, but because of HARDEN and a series of idiotic fouls that killed the THUNDER's momentum and allowed MIAMI to get back in the game. The THUNDER failed to defend the paint and to control the boards. Not one of those areas of responsibility is FISHER's. The overall defense of the THUNDER committed too many fouls. While the THUNDER repeatedly choked at the line. Sitting WESTRBROOK with DURANT already on the bench was a major blunder by SCOTT BROOKS.

Fisher played nearly 30 minutes last night so he is playing minutes almost like a starter. Harden has sucked in this series. No excuse for his poor play. Fisher is fine playing around 15 minute a game player. Brooks is fucking up in my opinion by playing him anymore than that. Fisher is a mediocre player at best who was lucky to be on the Lakers and not the other way around. He has hit some big shots in the past and does have the balls to take a shot with the game on the line. Anything more than that is going overboard in my opinion. Fisher was lost when he went to Golden State who severely overpaid him for whatever reason. He knows how to fit in on a team with some talent. Sessions in my opinion is a mediocre defensive player. Lakers sure went out of their way to give up fisher's salary. If they reallly thought that they were a contender this year then why did they not keep him until the end of the season and try to make one more run and then dump him in the offseason? I think management thought he was basically worthless at this point of his career and dumped him.

[EvenSteven]

I would agree that Fisher could hit that clutch jump shot when a team desperately needs it.  The problem is that Fisher is arguably the worst perimeter defender in the league.  So the trade-off there perhaps could be managed if his minutes are reduced to under 8 per game, with Ibaka doing a great job protecting the goal.  
However, as EGW mentioned, when Fisher gets a lot of minutes, it does not bode well for OKC defense especially late in the game.

[Lordoftherings]

EL GRANDE WHOPPO, on 18 June 2012 - 01:57 PM, said:

Battier has played well in this series. If Fisher rotates the ball so well how come he has just 1 assist in 3 games on a team with greart offensive options?

FISHER can't make a player shoot or drive to the basket. He can and does get the ball to primary offensive scorers. Players also miss open shots off passes. Assists can be a misleading stat especially if a team isn't shooting well. FISHER is not the lead PG even on the second team HARDEN is and he handles the ball more.

[Lordoftherings]

EvenSteven, on 18 June 2012 - 02:14 PM, said:

I would agree that Fisher could hit that clutch jump shot when a team desperately needs it.  The problem is that Fisher is arguably the worst perimeter defender in the league.  So the trade-off there perhaps could be managed if his minutes are reduced to under 8 per game, with Ibaka doing a great job protecting the goal.  
However, as EGW mentioned, when Fisher gets a lot of minutes, it does not bode well for OKC defense especially late in the game.

I certainly am not arguing for more minutes for FISHER. I think FISHER is a plug in player (SITUATIONAL) but he's clearly better in limited minutes. Especially against teams that run. OKC is making a silly error in not starting COLLISON over PERKINS. COLLISON is a better rebounder and shooter than PERKINS and has the length necessary to better contest shots. If I were SCOTT BROOKS I would make the first quarter starter COLLISON.  I think that small adjustment would do wonders for defensive tempo.

[EL GRANDE WHOPPO]

Lordoftherings, on 18 June 2012 - 04:51 PM, said:

I certainly am not arguing for more minutes for FISHER. I think FISHER is a plug in player (SITUATIONAL) but he's clearly better in limited minutes. Especially against teams that run. OKC is making a silly error in not starting COLLISON over PERKINS. COLLISON is a better rebounder and shooter than PERKINS and has the length necessary to better contest shots. If I were SCOTT BROOKS I would make the first quarter starter COLLISON.  I think that small adjustment would do wonders for defensive tempo.

Collison is also very prone to get in foul trouble. I actually think brooks is getting outcoached in this series so far which really hurts since I do not think that much of Spoelstra. It also hurts because I used to play pick -up with Scotty when he went to UIC and he really is a good guy. I also kind of think that the refs are favoring Heat a little bit in this series so far but OKC has nobody to blame but themselves for being down 2 games to 1.

[EL GRANDE WHOPPO]

Lordoftherings, on 18 June 2012 - 04:43 PM, said:

FISHER can't make a player shoot or drive to the basket. He can and does get the ball to primary offensive scorers. Players also miss open shots off passes. Assists can be a misleading stat especially if a team isn't shooting well. FISHER is not the lead PG even on the second team HARDEN is and he handles the ball more.

1 assist in around 60 minutes of play is pathetic for any guard. Fisher still handles the ball enough to have more than 1 assist. He is not the goat in this series for OKC but he is really not helping them either. So far the goat is Harden.The Fisher foul on Jones was a stupid foul for any player and no less a veteran especially since Miami was struggling to score at that point of the game. Even worse is that it came right after another foul on a 3pt shot to Battier on the previous possession. Lead went from 10 to 4 for OKC in a matter of 2 possesssions.