Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, as a back-to-back league MVP, is used to getting a lot of attention.
Last night, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Derek Fisher gave him all he could want and more.
Fish kept pace with lightening quick Nash, grabbing one more rebound, dishing out just one fewer assist and scoring only five less points than the diminutive guard.
But it wasn’t No. 2’s performance on offensive that won this matchup. It was his defense.
Broderick Turner, of the Los Angeles Times, saw a complete performance from the 13-year vet:
“Fisher deserves credit for keeping Nash from having another break-out game, doing just enough on defense against him to help the Lakers defeat the Suns, 121-102, on Thursday night at Staples Center.
The idea was to keep the pressure on Nash, to try and wear him down.
There were times when Fisher picked up Nash full-court.
There were times when Fisher denied Nash the basketball after he made the initial pass.
“I just tried to mix it up on him,” Fisher said. “We definitely talked about picking him up as high up the floor as we could. Sometimes it’s difficult, depending on the situation.”
Nash’s five assists were one off his season low, and drastically below his league leading average of 11.8.
Derek said the Lakers used a multitude of strategies to combat the elusive point guard.
“There’s no science with guarding him,” Fisher said. “I think you just have to try and keep him guessing, but he’s so good even on the fly. He’s like a Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. If you try and take one thing away, he’ll audible and can go to something else. So if you’re giving him a steady diet of one look, he’s too smart and he’s going to figure it out.”
As per usual, the gracious vet deflected as much praise as possible to his teammates.
“Our big guys deserved a lot of credit. They were up and active and really making it hard for those guys to come off those screens.”
You can listen to Fish’s comments here.
A PLACE IN HISTORY
When you talk about the best Lakers’ point guard ever, it’s hard to be better than Magic, but D-Fish, in his time with L.A., has certainly cemented his legacy as a savvy, clutch performer.
Hardii Jones, with the website BleacherReport.com, takes a look at D-Fish’s career and his place in the Lakers’ legacy.
“Fisher may not be as talented as
[other] guards but the kid from Arkansas-Little Rock has undoubtedly left his mark on the Laker franchise. His heart is on the same level as Magic’s and his shot, while not as good as Scott’s has definitely left more memorable moments.”You can read the whole article here.
NEXT UP
Derek and the Lakers head to Denver, where they’ll face the 6-3 Nuggets tonight at 7:30 p.m. PST. The Lakers were 3-1 against the Nuggets last year in the regular season. They also beat Denver 4-2 in the Western Conference Finals.RELATED ARTICLES
Lakers dismantle red hot Suns for sixth straight win (ESPN.com, Nov. 12, 2009)
http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291112013
Derek Fisher helps contain Steve Nash in Lakers win (L.A. Times, Nov. 13, 2009)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-lakers-web13-2009nov13,0,6059206.story
Phoenix’s big-top antics come to a stop against Lakers (L.A. Times, Nov. 13, 2009)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke13-2009nov13,0,3912719,full.column