The Lakers got the consistently strong efforts they need from Derek Fisher this weekend as they split a pair of road games in the Eastern Conference.
On Sunday night in New Jersey, Fish scored ten points, including going a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line as the Lakers cut down the Nets, 99-92.
Derek started hot with six points in the first frame and his buckets were the difference as the Lakers took a 30-24 lead after one. D-Fish added two free throws in the second and the Lakers went into the locker room up ten.
But it was in the clutch that Derek saved his best for last.
With twenty seconds to play, Fish iced the game sinking two more free throws to put Los Angeles up eight and preserve the 99-92 victory.
The win followed a tough 88-84 loss in Chicago on Friday night, which came despite some more late game heroics from No. 2 that nearly swung momentum to LA.
Down six with under a minute to go, Fish hit a trey to cut the Chicago lead to three, 83-80. Unfortunately, the Lakers couldn’t get a stop on the ensuing possession and Chicago held on for the narrow victory.
A master of consistency in his game and approach, Fish hit all six off his free throws on the weekend, continuing his streak of consecutive buckets made from the charity stripe. Derek’s now hit 21 straight free throws. His last miss from the line came November 7th, against the Portland Trailblazers.
RESPECT FROM HIS PEERS
As the NBA season hits full swing and the Collective Bargaining Agreement nears its expiration, Derek has put on a clinic juggling his responsibilities as on court leader and off court NBA rep.
But it’s not something that goes unnoticed and his peers are proud of the job No. 2 is doing for them. Derek’s teammates, who see the task first hand, are especially grateful for Fish’s involvement.
"Any time you have someone in office or in power, it helps to know they care," Lamar Odom told the Press-Enterprise "And Fish fits the bill. I think that we’re lucky to have someone like Derek that truly cares about the league and its players."
But respect comes from opponents as well. The Clippers’ Jarron Collins says Fish has the knowledge necessary for the position.
"As he should," Collins said, "because more people are going to look to him and, quite frankly, I think that’s the way it should be. The people speaking about the collective bargaining issues, our president or vice president, (are) probably the most well informed about the situations and the various scenarios that could play out."
A former teammate says Fish is easily the best man for the job.
"He’s got a great business mind," said the Clippers’ Brian Cook. "Great family, good with his teammates, and he’s a leader. I mean who else would you want?"
NEXT UP
The Lakers headed to Washington, where they met with President Barack Obama for the second straight year yesterday, the spoils of another title.
But tonight it’s back to the grind as Fish will face the Wizards and rookie John Wall for the second time this year.
The Lakers’ are 1-0 against the Wiz, with Fish scoring eight points and dishing out seven dimes in the first victory. Tonight’s rematch tips off at 4 p.m. PST and can be seen on KCAL-TV.
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