Categories: SPORTS

Family and Faith Are More Important to Derek Fisher Than the NBA

By most standards, Derek Fisher would be considered a success as a professional basketball player. He played with the Los Angeles Lakers during a run when the team earned three consecutive NBA championships. He’s hit game a winning shot in the playoffs. It may be that the only thing that has kept him from gaining more notoriety is that he has played with superstars, such as Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton, Karl Malone, and Shaquille O’Neal. Although he has been successful in his own right, he has been overshawdowed by the success and superior athletic ability of the future Hall of Fame players. What may set Derek Fisher apart from other NBA players the most, however, is his commitment to his family and faith.

Although that ended up not being necessary, he was willing to give up his NBA career to see that his ten-year-old daughter, Tatum, got treatment for eye cancer. He is also never ashamed to publicly speak of his faith in Jesus Christ as God’s son, Whom he believes died on the cross and rose again for the sins of the world to give a home in heaven to believers.

After being drafted 24^th by the Lakers in 1996, he averaged double digit scoring for the 2000-2002 seasons, during which the Lakers won three consecutive championships. His finest personal moment may have come during a season the Lakers did not win a championship, in the 2003-2004 Western Conference semifinals against the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. With only .04 seconds on the clock, Gary Payton hit Fisher with a pass, and Fisher hit the game winning shot. Fisher was however, on a team loaded with superstars, and began to be considered a role player.

Derek Fisher was traded to the Golden State Warriors. The team did not have the superstars the Lakers did, who were often double-teamed, creating an opening for him to score. He also had accepted a role with the Warriors because he could be the starting point guard. He was then replaced as a starter by Byron Davis.

In 2006 he was traded to the Utah Jazz, and it was there that Derek Fisher would truly show his commitment to his family and his Christian faith in a new way when the spotlight was on him. Before the team participated in a Conference Semifinal playoff game, he mentioned that one of his four children was ill, and he needed to be with that child instead of playing. It was only after the game that he told the press that Tatum had restinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer, and had required three-hour emergency surgery at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital.

Before the game, he had asked coach Jerry Sloan to leave him on the active list but did not promise he would play. After the surgery, he flew back to Utah and learned that starting point guard, Deron Williams, was in foul trouble, and his backup for the game, Dee Brown, was seriously injured. A forward, Andrei Kirilenko, was playing point guard. He arrived at the game in the middle of the third quarter. He replaced Kirilenko. In the fourth quarter he made a crucial defensive stop on Baron Davis. In overtime, with the Jazz leading 120-117, he made a three point shot to seal the win.

It was after that that Derek Fisher showed his commitment to his family. In July, he announced at a press conference that only seven cities in the country had a place where Tatum could get the required treatment. Utah did not offer such treatment. He did not know whether he would officially play basketball again or not. He announced he was leaving the team. On July 19, 2007, however, he officially rejoined the Lakers for $14 million over three years.

The website, http://www.breakawaymag.com, noted many things about the faith of Derek Fisher and his work ethic. Even when he returned to the Lakers to become a backup rather than a starter, he did not complain and was willing to be a backup to help the team. He refused to be interviewed by the online magazine, until he practiced a little more. He said he was more concerned with his team winning a championship than any personal glory.

Fisher grew up in a Christian home, but it wasn’t until he was in college that he became a Christian. In 2000 he played with Laker favorite, A.C. Green, who was also an outspoken Christian. Green was outspoken about his faith and sexual purity, and Fisher said he learned a lot from him.

“A.C. was a great example of what it’s like to play in this league and walk with God at the same time,” Fisher recalled in the interview on the www.breakaway.com website.

After being around Green, Fisher went from being quiet and reserved to being a spiritual leader on the Lakers. He often led the team in prayer after a game. He regularly went to team chapel services.

While some professional athletes may be remembered for the athletic ability, Derek Fisher may long be remembered for his character, faith, and dedication to family.

Citations: Kevin Hunter, Derek Fisher-Heart of a Warrior, Breakawaymag.com