What was the big difference between the Lakers of 2007-8 (who won 56 games and went to the Finals) and the Lakers of the previous season (who won 42 games and were bounced in the first round - after leading 3-1)? Not Pau Gasol, because their record in the half-season before they got him was just as good as after. Not Andrew Bynum (although, a little) because they had him for at least half of 2006-7 and never looked good. Not Phil or Kobe - they had both both years. No, it was Derek Fisher. When they lost him for a couple of years to GState and Utah, they lost their Mojo. Derek Fisher is Yoda. He is an old soul who brings calm and confidence to a locker room. He gets on with everybody and smooths over squabbles. He does hit the odd clutch shot, too, and he knows the triangle inside and out. Who could be our Derek Fisher? Andre Miller is almost the anti-Fisher. He's more talented as a player, but he is practically a recluse and shows no interest in or aptitude for locker room leadership. We need that guy, because all our important players are "sensitive" and not great leaders. And sometimes you need an older guy to tell the young players "you guys don't know what you've got here". My nomination: Grant Hill. He's smart. He's very Fisher-esque, in that he's incredibly nice and I think would get on with anyone. And he commands respect because of his college career (which would count for a lot with Roy and probably Oden) and once-All-NBA talent. And he can still contribute a lot, not least PG skills at the wing. I'd willingly give up Martell for him (who would LOVE the Phoenix system) or even Andre Miller if Nash went down and they thought they needed him. Sadly, though, I doubt if they'd give him up, and if they would, I'm not sure he'd come here. He might just retire, partly because he's so much a fan of Phoenix's trainers for resurrecting his career (and I'm pretty sure he's not hearing great things about our medical staff...) Any other suggestions?
Derek Fisher was a big liability on defense and inconsistent offensively. He hit a few big shots in the playoffs and that is why he is valued. He was not the difference maker. The difference maker was Gasol.
This thread shouldn't read Fisher was THE difference maker. I view it more as Fisher being A difference maker. A "glue" guy, if you will. As a comparative, this far into the season, either Outlaw or Batum seem to be that guy, or a combo of both, if there even is a "that guy" on this roster.
He's not even a glue guy. They run the triangle. He's just there to hit the occasional shot. Check LG.net last season, lots of them treated Fisher like they treated Blake right now.
When the best team in the league complains about a player, well, that's ridiculous. Then again, they are Laker fans, so I don't expect much out of them.
Actually not. The Lakers were #1 in the West after half a season before Bynum went down and they traded for Gasol. So it can't have been Gasol that made the difference in their rate of wins. As I said in the original post.
If only Phil Jacklueless would play the far more talented Jordan Farmar ahead of him! He's younger, more athletic, and can score a lot more! The Lakers need a real coach. And this proves...?
He was only thought of highly because of short performances. Most of the season, fans complained about him killing them with his poor defense.
Anyway, Grant hill would be ok i guess. He'll be a short, temporary fix, kind of like what Greg Anthony was back in the early 2000s.
What. The old Roy would have brought the team together by now. I'm not talking about his skills on the court....he seems more like Damon Stoudamire was...lamenting, whining, etc.
well, i'm not an insider. but the Roy of the past 2 years was much more vocal of a leader. now, not so much. He is starting to try to be more agressive on the floor though..noticed that last night.
Let's not turn this into ANOTHER hating-on-Roy thread. I don't think Jamison would be great. I'm not talking about acquiring a guy who would necessarily play big minutes or be a star (otherwise I would've used Chauncey Billups as my example), I'm talking about a steadying influence. The kind of guy who gets on well with everyone and helps bring the team together. Avery Johnson was one of those guys as a player, too.
Dunno, the Washington announcers were gushing over his professionalism and dedication when we were playing them.
we could just look at the sportsmanship award winners? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Sportsmanship_Award so...luol deng? from 08:
