When Derek Fisher appeared in the starting lineup Tuesday night with Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant, it continued a streak of unparalleled consistency, continuity and excellence.
Kobe and Fish were the only starting backcourt to begin all 82 games together, despite being a combined 66 years old. On Tuesday night, their streak began again.
For Derek, age truly is nothing but a number.
BEEN THERE
Consistency is nothing new for No. 2.
D-Fish has played in all 82 games six of the past seven seasons. And the one season he didn’t play a full schedule, he missed only eight games due to a sprained knee with the Golden State Warriors in 04-05.
Dating back to the 2004-2005 season, D-Fish has now played in 385 consecutive games. Unfortunately, No. 2 is still more than 800 games behind former Laker A.C. Green’s record streak of 1,192 straight games.
But Derek will be back on the floor for No. 386 when the Dallas Mavericks come to town on Friday night.
TRICK SHOTS
NBA stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James can drain wild, acrobatic treys. But this summer, D-Fish played a game of one-up and won big.
Kobe and LeBron have both hit some sick shots in the comfort of the gym, but Derek blows them away when shooting from three stories in the air and 33-feet away.
Watch here as D-Fish drains this skyscraping three on his first try:
CHECK THIS OUT
On NBA.com, the Lakers have released a slideshow of their 2008-09 championship rings. These opulent baubles are certainly worth a peek.
NEXT UP
The Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night at the Staples Center. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. PST.
RELATED STORIES
1 down, 81 to go (The Los Angeles Times, Oct. 28, 2009)
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2009/10/lakers-beat-clippers-in-opener.html
Lakers hope new season has familiar ring (OC Register, Oct. 28, 2009)
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/artest-winter-jackson-2627035-lakers-bynum
OMG Mr. Derek Fisher I am so exited and pleased number 1 that you returned. I was born as raised in South Central but now live on the east coast (MD). It is so tough being a loyal fan with all the Lakers haters out here but I hold my own:-) I don’t care what anyone says you and Rick Fox should have started game 6 and 7 of the 03/04 finals over the two un-named future hall of fame players. I wish you and the team all the best this year, I only want the Lakers and Boston in the finals this year at full strength, we owe them a good old fashion butt kicking!
Sincerely,
Eric Jenkins