I didn't see this post until now. I'm not saying Fisher is a defensive stopper by any means. But he is better than Blake. He's definitely stronger and a little quicker, and maybe even smarter. Blake is at least intelligent most of the time so I'll give him that. For defensive purposes I'll take Fisher.
Im sorry...how can I discuss this with a poster that has "Steve Blake is Poison" as their sig? Stronger yes? Smarter...I guess by experience but he sure isnt showing it this year. Fisher's favorite shot the last two years is shoot a 20 footer in transition 4 seconds into the shotclock. Uh hey Fish...Pau, Kobe, Bynum, and Odom are running down the wings....dish the fucking ball. I cant imagine Fisher beating ANY starting PG in a footrace.... Steve Blake is a solid PG. I wanted him on the Lakers before you guys snatched him up!
I think he could beat Steve Blake. Anyways, I don't think the Lakers winning a championship with Fisher starting means anything when it comes to the Blazers and Blake. 1. Kobe is better than Roy 2. Gasol is better than Aldridge 3. Phil is a better coach than Nate Totally different situation. The Lakers actually score in the paint. They actually get fastbreak points. They don't have to rely on Fisher's 3pt shooting like the Blazers do with Blake.
Well, that settles it! It's fun watching the 'experts' see their opinions crash in the face of statistical reality. Really, it is. Bash away, know-it-alls!
Forget the defense, go take a peek at Fisher's stats this year. Laughable. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/derek_fisher/ This is the guy you take over Steve Blake.
Blake played pretty well as a starter with Denver in the playoffs, where they lost to eventual champion Spurs. IIRC, Blake hit 50% of his 3ptrs in that entire series. He couldn't stop Parker, but neither could anyone else that year. And, having AI as his backcourt mate didn't help defensively either.