Derek Fisher has figured out how to get the Los Angeles Lakers off on the right foot this season.
The method appears to vary from game-to-game, but one thing is for certain, D-Fish seems to have his hands all over it.
Over LA’s last eight games, D-Fish has created the first points for the Lakers by either scoring himself or providing the assist in six of them. In the other two, D-Fish scored LA’s second basket.
No. 2 helped the Lakers get going again on Tuesday night.
Just 43 seconds into the game, Derek hit a trey to get the Lakers out to a 3-0 edge and they took that lead to a rare wire-to-wire victory over the Utah Jazz, 120-91.
Fish followed up his three with two foul shots in the first to give him five points for the frame. In the second quarter, he hit another three, giving him eight points for the evening. That three put the Lakers up 24 points just 20 minutes into the game and signaled what would be a night of rest for No. 2 and the Lakers starters.
With the result all but decided, Derek played just 23 minutes, but he still managed to record two assists and a steal to go with his eight points.
The Lakers hope D-Fish can get them off to a similar start tonight when the Sacramento Kings come to town.
The Lakers defeated Sacramento by 33 the last time the Kings came to Staples Center. But in their first meeting this season, LA needed a late surge by D-Fish, who went on a 7-2 run by his lonesome in the final minutes, to defeat the Kings.
Tonight’s tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST and the game can be seen on Fox West.
Then on Sunday, the Lakers renew their rivalry with the Boston Celtics, who last visited LA last June for a game that ended with Fish and the Lakers celebrating their second straight NBA title. That game tips at 12:30 p.m. PST Sunday on ABC.
CHALLENGE EXTENDED
Taco Bell announced yesterday that the participants for its All-Star Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday night will, for the first time, be determined by a fan vote.
Among the perspective participants to face Hornets guard Chris Paul in the event to be held at the Staples Center is none other than D-Fish.
Other eligible players include the Clippers’ Baron Davis, Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, San Antonio’s Tony Parker, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Washington’s John Wall.
To vote D-Fish into the contest, click here.
CBA UPDATE
D-Fish is in for a busy weekend when the All-Star game comes to LA next month.
Whether he competes in the skills challenge or not, he’ll still have his hands full. That’s because All-Star weekend will be an important time for progression in the talks between the owners and the players for a new collective bargaining agreement.
With the 2010-2011 season already past its halfway point, the deadline for the NBA getting a new CBA in place is rapidly approaching. But Derek, the President of the Player’s Association, is seeing some good signs that a deal will be worked out, especially with the parties already in negotiations.
"Getting the process started as early as we did has been a great thing, and even though there hasn’t been much movement," Derek said. "I still think we’re in a much better position in regards to what happens over the next few months going into the offseason when a lot of the heavier work will be done."
No. 2 said the players’ position is they want to play, and it’s up to the NBA owners to decide if they want basketball.
"It’s never been the Players Association’s desire to have a lockout, but at the same time we have a responsibility to do what’s right for everybody in the NBA in terms of players. We have to stick to those principles. Unfortunately that leaves the NBA with a decision in terms of locking out or not on June 30th."
Derek, his fellow players and the league will be hard at work during All-Star Weekend trying to put themselves in a better position to finish the deal after the season when all parties can devote all of their time to it.
"It’s a tough proposition during the season to make a lot of headway, but we’re working hard and we’ll keep trying to do the best job we can do," he said. "I don’t think that’s any different than before."
However, No. 2 isn’t concerned, because, like in any negotiations, these things often happen at the last-minute.
"There’s plenty of time to get a deal done. It’s not a function of time. It’s a function of movement by the parties. From the league standpoint, we believe we made a compelling case to our players why there needs to be reductions in salaries.
"I think guys are all on the same page as far as continuing something that’s going so well. It’s been difficult for all of our guys to process with everything you read, you see, you feel that this is why things are so bad and why things need to change so dramatically, not that there doesn’t necessarily need to be some changes. We’ll keep working at it and we’re confident we’ll be able to get something done. This is a great game and it’s been great for a very long time. The fans and the people that support us deserve for the work to be done and get an agreement signed."
RELATED ARTICLES
- Fisher still confident League and players will get deal done (NBA.com, Jan. 23, 2011)
- The McTen: Lakers jell vs. Jazz (ESPN LA, January 26, 2011)
- Lakers 120, Jazz 91: Postgame videos (ESPN LA, January 26, 2011)
- Lakers have nearly perfect execution in 120-91 victory (LA Times, January 26, 2011)
- Fisher nominated for All-Star Skills Challenge (OC Register, January 27, 2011)
derek started his career with the Lakers, and is going to finished his career as one of best clutch shooters in Lakers history.