Well, I got my Laker wish – a satisfactory point guard. But I didn’t count on my favorite sports owner, Jerry Buss, and a good general manager, Mitch Kupchak, acting like the rest of the NBA and putting bucks before their fans. They traded the heart of the Lakers, Derek Fisher, to Houston, for a journeyman forward to save a few million. They got rid of Luke Walton and Jason Kapono to Minnesota to save a few more and to get a point guard.
It’s hard to argue against the deal that brought Ramon Sessions to the Lakers. But coach Mike Brown did not have the slightest idea of the value of Walton. If the guy had played 20 minutes a game, he would have contributed immensely. Here’s a player who averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 60 games in 2006-2007. Most importantly, he helped everyone to play together when he was on the court. His great passing was as contagious as his work ethic. He was invaluable. Oh, yeah, who was coach then? A guy by the name of Phil Jackson who just might know a little about basketball.
While Kobe is still the backbone of the team, Andrew the gristle and Pao the soul, Derek was the heart. Everyone from fans to the media talked about Fisher’s miniscule offensive output and his nonexistent ability to stay up with speedy guards. He averages, including this season, 8.1 points and 3.1 assists for his career. The past four seasons he was Jackson’s point guard of choice averaging 28 minutes and playing in 328 straight games. Do you remotely think Jackson played Fisher for his contribution to the team or because he might hurt Fisher’s feelings if he did not start him?
Whenever most of the sports media point out Fisher low stats, they usually mention that he really can’t defend the quick guards. Guess what? He never could. He was an integral of part of Jackson’s teams because he ran the offense and controlled the team. Phil said that everything ran smoothly on the court when Derek was there. In addition, he acted as a buffer for bristly Kobe and more sensitive teammates, and he was always good for a clutch shot or steal.
It’s hard to argue against the deal that brought Ramon Sessions to the Lakers. But coach Mike Brown did not have the slightest idea of the value of Walton. If the guy had played 20 minutes a game, he would have contributed immensely. Here’s a player who averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 60 games in 2006-2007. Most importantly, he helped everyone to play together when he was on the court. His great passing was as contagious as his work ethic. He was invaluable. Oh, yeah, who was coach then? A guy by the name of Phil Jackson who just might know a little about basketball.
While Kobe is still the backbone of the team, Andrew the gristle and Pao the soul, Derek was the heart. Everyone from fans to the media talked about Fisher’s miniscule offensive output and his nonexistent ability to stay up with speedy guards. He averages, including this season, 8.1 points and 3.1 assists for his career. The past four seasons he was Jackson’s point guard of choice averaging 28 minutes and playing in 328 straight games. Do you remotely think Jackson played Fisher for his contribution to the team or because he might hurt Fisher’s feelings if he did not start him?
Whenever most of the sports media point out Fisher low stats, they usually mention that he really can’t defend the quick guards. Guess what? He never could. He was an integral of part of Jackson’s teams because he ran the offense and controlled the team. Phil said that everything ran smoothly on the court when Derek was there. In addition, he acted as a buffer for bristly Kobe and more sensitive teammates, and he was always good for a clutch shot or steal.
But Mitch said it made no sense to keep three point guards, and it would be difficult to tell Fish he was not a starter. It would be too hard for him to accept. You kidding me? Fish would pop popcorn or be a Laker girl if that is what the team needed to win. But pro basketball is a business. Fish was getting old, slow and is owed too much money. Why not get rid of him? The answer is simple.
I and many other fans don’t want to get rid of him. It is impossible to understand why the Busses and Kupchak think they are making a viable business decision. How can it be a viable business decision if the people who pay the bucks don’t like it?
Can’t an owner waste a few bucks to please fans for a change? I realize that’s a novel concept (see Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning) for most owners, but why not? Fish deserves to go out a Laker, and the fans deserve to watch him. The upside is plenty.
We fans would love to see him in a Laker uniform.
He would be the most positive influence the Lakers have - a quality not to be undervalued.
He just might make a game-winning steal or a game-winning shot - which would be all the gravy we want.
Don Lechman is a former reporter critic, editor and would-be sportswriter. He teaches writing at Harbor College in Wilmington
I and many other fans don’t want to get rid of him. It is impossible to understand why the Busses and Kupchak think they are making a viable business decision. How can it be a viable business decision if the people who pay the bucks don’t like it?
Can’t an owner waste a few bucks to please fans for a change? I realize that’s a novel concept (see Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning) for most owners, but why not? Fish deserves to go out a Laker, and the fans deserve to watch him. The upside is plenty.
We fans would love to see him in a Laker uniform.
He would be the most positive influence the Lakers have - a quality not to be undervalued.
He just might make a game-winning steal or a game-winning shot - which would be all the gravy we want.
Don Lechman is a former reporter critic, editor and would-be sportswriter. He teaches writing at Harbor College in Wilmington
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