Anyone who has followed the career path of Derek Fisher knows that the veteran point guard has a bit of a flair for the dramatic.
But on Friday, Derek’s triple was only the set up to an even grander finale. With the Lakers’ winning streak on the line, Los Angeles’ pair of cold-blooded hoops assassins did their best work.
 Fish cut the lead to one against Miami with this shot (Getty Images). |
With the Heat up four and under five seconds to play, D-Fish hit a massive three that cut Miami lead to one, and put the Lakers within striking distance, setting the stage for Kobe Bryant’s final shot.
As the buzzer blared, clutch Kobe threw up a desperation three and his last second bank shot carromed in to sink the Miami Heat.
Of course it was Derek, who’s always been just as clutch, who made it happen and with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, Fish opined his tough luck to the media.
"I don’t make those very often, so I was glad I was able to make one last night," Fish told the Los Angeles Times.
Fish was joking of course. Everyone knows No. 2 has made nearly as many game winners as No. 24.
And tonight it was Kobe’s turn to win the game, leaving Derek feeling just a bit upstaged.
"It was fitting that something happened after that to totally erase everyone’s memory of what I did."
 Moments after Derek hit his huge three, it was forgotten — even by Fish (Getty Images). |
Once again, he was kidding. The vet was the first person to grab Kobe in celebration.
"I reacted like it was a Finals win as opposed to just a regular-season win in December, but it was just an emotional ending to a hard-fought game. It was just kind of my natural reaction."
Fish finished the game with 11 points, three assists and five rebounds. He also added two swipes in the victory.
STOMPING THE SUNS
While Friday’s win was their most dramatic, it wasn’t the Lakers’ only one of the weekend.
Fish and Co. trounced the Phoenix Suns, 108-88, winning their ninth straight game and extending their lead in the Pacific Division to two games.
Fish was solid in 24 minutes, scoring seven. He added two assists and two rebounds.
THREE FOR FORTY
In the past three games, Derek Fisher has shot exactly forty percent from the field.
Against New Orleans, Fish went 2-5 from the field. He followed that up with a 4-10 performance against Miami, including his crucial three, and then went 2-5 again against the Phoenix Suns.
Fish strives for consistency in his game, and his percentages over the past week are exactly in line with his performance this season. On the year, he’s shooting 39.4 percent.
And for his career, Fish has shot 40.4%. A steady vet through and through.
NEXT UP
The Lakers play Utah on Wednesday and then again on Saturday. Derek spent one season with the Jazz, leading them to the Western Conference Finals.
RELATED ARTICLES
A Lakers burst helps finish Suns (L.A. Times, Dec, 7, 2009)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-suns7-2009dec07,0,233399.story
Lakers’ Derek Fisher comes through again—quietly, as usual (LA Times, Dec. 6, 2009)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi6-2009dec06,0,6303076,full.story