Derek Fisher will forever be remembered as a Los Angeles Lakers great, as he was a part of five memorable championships for the city
The last five Los Angeles Lakers NBA titles and Derek Fisher, have something in common. He was involved in every single one. His name is synonymous with Lakers’ history and there’s no question about it.
According to Fisher himself, he and Kobe Bryant would go at each other so intensely in training camp that he described their full-court games as experiences that left them “bloody and battered.”
Aside from those memorable practices, Fisher had so many captivating moments when he was on the floor and under the brightest lights too. In Game 4 of the 2009 NBA Finals, he hit a game-tying clutch 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds left in regulation. Then, in overtime, he hit another huge 3-pointer that all but iced the game with 31 seconds left.
In Game 3 of the 2010 Western Semifinals, Fisher hit a game-winner with 7.8 seconds left to give the Lakers a 3-0 series lead over the Utah Jazz.
And who could forget arguably his most iconic shot, which took place on May 13, 2004. In the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Fisher hit an NBA altering shot with 0.4 seconds left. Perhaps what made this moment even more historic was the fact that Tim Duncan had just hit a shot to give the Spurs the lead with less than a second left.
Many thought the game was over. However, Fisher had other plans.
As the inbound pass goes to Fisher, he catches it and tosses up a prayer shot. And it goes in. The Lakers win 74-73 and would go on to win the series. Derek Fisher was the ultimate team player, and was willing to come off the bench or start at point guard.
Fisher gave it his all; his blood, sweat, and tears for the Lakers. He was willing to do whatever it took to get the win and that is why he’s a five-time NBA Champion. He’ll forever be remembered as an all-time Laker great.