As the Los Angeles Lakers split a weekend set with Portland and Milwaukee, Derek Fisher put together his best back-to-back scoring output of the season.
Although the Lakers lost Friday night against the Portland Trailblazers, it wasn’t for lack of effort from D-Fish.
No. 2 went for 15 points, tied for second on the team with Lamar Odom. All five starters for the Lakers scored in double figures, but the team was let down by its bench, who went for just ten points on the night as Los Angeles fell, 107-98.
On Sunday night, the Lakers prevented their first three-game losing streak in over two years.
To help the cause, Fish put in 11 points, but more importantly, he shut down rookie sensation Brandon Jennings, holding him to eight points below his season average.
No. 2 also got to the line in the game, his six attempts the most he’s had since the clinching game of last years’ Finals.
Derek made the most of it, hitting all six. He also chipped in three rebounds and two assists as the Lakers outscored the Bucks by 16 in the first quarter and rolled to a 95-77 win.
TRUST FUND
Part of what makes Phil Jackson such a great coach is the faith he puts in his players to make the right decisions when out on the court.
His triangle offense is predicated on players making the move they see fit and not on set or scripted plays. It’s an approach that Fish finds very refreshing.
“That’s an empowering place for the player to be in, once you finally understand as a player of his that he really is trusting you with this multitude of decisions out there on the court.” No. 2 told Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen. “It’s a great approach because we never feel like this is a job or we’re obligated to do what we do for this team. Even though it is our job, and we get paid very well for it, he puts together an environment where we are allowed to make the choice to be successful, and it has worked.”
But it’s not always just about making plays. Jackson has pointed out numerous times, most recently to the Los Angeles Times, that he simply feels more comfortable with Derek out on the court.
“We function so much better with Derek on the floor as an offensive team that it’s very important for him to be out there. He has all the knowledge that’s necessary for a lead guard. He knows how to keep our guys in what we want to get done out there on the floor.”
LABOR DAYS
This past week, Derek didn’t just have games to worry about. He also spent it meeting with Billy Hunter, the NBA Players Association’s executive director, to discuss the expiring collective bargaining agreement.
Fish is the President of the Players Association and he and Hunter are working with the NBA on a deal to replace the current CBA, which is set to expire in 18 months.
NEXT UP
No. 2 takes to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs. Tip off is at 6:30 PST on Tuesday night and the game can be seen on KCAL-TV.
RELATED ARTICLES
Phil Jackson always looking for ways to improve, work to be done (SI.com, Jan. 8, 2010)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/01/08/countdown.phil.jackson/1.html
Laker’s Phil Jackson sticking with Derek Fisher (L.A. Times, Jan. 9, 2010)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi9-2010jan09,0,7617077.story