Derek Fisher, regarded as a man in decline last year, has come out gunning shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc and a scalding 50 percent overall. He’s having the best season of his career in terms of percentages, efficiency and overall per minute production. But numbers don’t tell the whole tale.
It’s well known that he and Kobe were buds and remained in contact even after he left for Golden State. Drafted in the same class, the two spent their first 8 seasons together, won three championships and have kept in contact through text messages over the course of the past few seasons and playoffs.
Fish’s clubhouse guy mentality and overall likeabilty seem to have worn off on #24.
Think Kobe’s warming up to his teammates? Luke Walton recently said, “Kobe is a huge part of the team so the only way we can get closer is if he gets closer and he's definitely gotten closer to a bunch of the guys.”
While Kobe most assuredly deserves a great deal of credit for lowering his defenses in order to hang with the boys, Fish without question has helped ease that transition.
D Fish has also done wonders on the court, bringing a solid floor leadership that was sorely lacking last season. Now, Kobe doesn’t have to carry everything. Kobe has someone else backing up his words, someone else who is playoff tested, who has won on the biggest stages, who has hit important shots.
Fish takes some of the leadership burden. And his tutoring can be seen in how Jordan Farmar has flourished this year, partly due to the hard work he put in over the summer, and partly due to Fish’s tutelage. The Lakers 19-year-old draft pick, Javaris Crittendon, is also gaining invaluable experience from the vet.
Overall, it’s been a blessing to have Fish back swimming with the Lakers. It’s always great to see a great guy succeed.
Keywords: Derek Fisher, Javaris Crittendon, Kobe, Los Angeles Lakers, Luke Walton, playoffs
