Derek Fisher, the Unsung Laker
Derek Fisher was an underrated Lakers star during their 2000–2009 championship era. While Kobe and Shaquille monopolized the limelight, Fisher did the little things needed for victory. He dove for loose balls, took charges, set hard picks and guarded the opponent’s star player. He was humble, tenacious and tough. He was a calming presence in the ongoing feud between Shaq and Kobe.
Fisher was drafted in 1997, the same draft as Kobe Bryant. Where Kobe was a prodigy, Derek had to toil for success. During their rookie years, Fisher and Kobe played constant one-on-one games after practice. They went at each other hard almost coming to blows. Fisher earned Kobe’s respect, and the two became a back-court pairing for nearly a decade.
Lakers fans remember Fisher for his “0.4” miracle shot against San Antonio in 2004 but he’s assembled a career of great basketball moments. In 2001, he missed the first 62 games with a stress fracture in his foot. The Lakers struggled in his absence. After his return, the Lakers went 24–5 and rolled into the post-season.
In the 2001 Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Fisher set an NBA playoff record by shooting 75% from the three-point line (15–20). In the 2001 Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, Fisher was outscored in a Game 1 loss by Allen Iverson 48–0. Fisher responded in Game 2 by posterizing…
