It is June 26, 1996 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. David Stern goes to the podium to announce that with the 24th pick of the NBA Draft the Los Angeles (L.A.) Lakers have selected Derek Fisher from University of Arkansas-Little Rock. The crowd booed the L.A. Lakers pick “Everyone is sitting here saying who is this kid” said basketball analyst Hubie Brown. He was an unknown basketball player when he began his National Basketball Association (NBA) career in 1996. However, Derek Fisher has become the most valuable role player in the NBA.
Derek Fisher is not a superstar basketball player. He does not have as much talent as elite NBA point guards such as Deron Williams, Steve Nash, and Chris Paul. But, he is great in his role on the L.A. Lakers. He knows his limits as a player. He focuses on his strengths. He is a valuable player on the L.A. Lakers. Role players are essential to good teams. Some of the other great role players in the NBA include James Posey, Bruce Bowen, and Shane Battier.
Derek Fisher’s career has outlasted a lot of NBA players that were drafted ahead of him in the 1996 NBA draft. Many of these players are more talented than him. Derek Fisher’s NBA career has lasted longer than Stephon Marbury, Shareef Abdur Rahim and Antoine Walker careers. All of these NBA players have made NBA All-Star teams too.
Derek Fisher has excellent intangibles. He has good character. “It’s not just about talent, it’s about character, and he’s a person of high character, not only in just his gamesmanship but also his intestinal fortitude,” said L.A. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson.(http://articles.latimes.com/2009). Likewise, Derek Fisher was nominated for sportsman of the year by Sports Illustrated in 2007.
Derek Fisher is a team player. He is good passer. He is an excellent decision maker as a point guard. He is a good leader. He is respected by his teammates. “The heart and soul of our team. I had point guards who were nowhere near his caliber in leadership and shot making ability and toughness (www.usatoday.com/sports). Additionally, he is using his leadership skills as president of the National Players Association.
Derek Fisher does not get flustered in pressure situations during games. He is a very good clutch shooter. He is sixth all-time in three pointers made in the NBA Playoffs with 224 (www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/fg3_career_p.html). He ranks fourth all-time in NBA Finals three pointers made with 41, just one behind Michael Jordan for third all-time.(http://lakers.freedomblogging.com).
Derek Fisher hit several clutch three pointers in the NBA Finals in 2009 against the Orlando Magic. He helped the L.A. Lakers win Game 4 over the Orlando Magic in 2009 NBA Finals hitting a three pointer over Jameer Nelson with 4.6 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. Likewise, he also made a three pointer with 31.3 seconds remaining in overtime to help send the Lakers to a 3-1 series lead. His contributions to the L.A. Lakers were a factor in them winning the series over the Orlando Magic 4-1 to win the 2009 NBA championship.
Derek Fisher is a great teammate. He has been a good fit at point guard for the L.A. Lakers. He will keep bringing his leadership skills and good intangibles to the NBA. Derek Fisher will continue to be the most valuable role player in the NBA.
Works Cited
19 June 2010 http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/12/sports/sp-plaschke-lakers12
19 June 2010 http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2010-06-09-lopresti-fisher_N.htm
19 June 2010 http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/basketball/derek-fisher-a-steadying-force-as-los-angeles-lakers-seek-another-title-95662054.html
19 June 2010 http://lakers.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/10/kobe-now-no-2-all-time-in-finals-3-pointers/38067/
19 June 2010 http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/fg3_career_p.html
