Among the many indelible marks that Derek Fisher has left on the NBA postseason, one stands out above the rest: 0.4.
Derek’s shot with 0.4 seconds left in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals lifted the Lakers to an unlikely 74-73 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers went on to defeat the defending NBA champion Spurs in six games, the 0.4 shot having taken the collective air out of San Antonio’s sails. LA went on to the NBA Finals for the fourth time in five seasons.
"It’s kind of amazing, really, to me," Derek recently told the Oklahoman of the play, which has reached iconic status, capped by its inclusion in an NBA playoff commercial. "I’ve always looked at it as one of many. But for other people, it just doesn’t work that way. They really feel strongly about that one particular shot. It’s one of those moments in life that will never be forgotten. That’s kind of surreal, kind of humbling to think about a basketball play being that kind of moment in people’s life where they just never ever forget it."
Beginning Sunday, Derek and his current team — the Oklahoma City Thunder — will begin vying with those same Spurs for a chance to get back to the Finals and grasp a chance at another championship ring. It’s a crossroads for both teams, which brings back memories of that series in 2004 when the Shaq-Kobe-Fish Lakers were ending their run and the Spurs just beginning theirs.
OKC relies on Derek’s playoff experience as they seek a championship (Getty Images).
Since then, San Antonio has won two more titles with much the same team that will face the Thunder in these West Finals. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is at the outset of a dynasty with championship expectations. According to many in the Thunder locker room, they rely heavily on D-Fish and his veteran playoff savvy as they make that run.
"Derek is a natural born leader," point guard Russell Westbrook told Hoops Addict. "He knows what it takes to win. He understands the things that you need to do to get better. He communicates to us what it takes to get to the next level and it’s really helped me, Kevin and James a lot."
Reserve guard Royal Ivey believes it’s Derek calm demeanor that makes all the difference. The NBA has many passionate leaders, but not many are able to contain that passion in the cool way of D-Fish. Those traits along with his experience have made Derek an invaluable member of the Thunder according to Ivey.
"Being a veteran in this league and being at the pinnacle of winning championships really says a lot. Getting his wisdom, experience and competitiveness when he came on board was a plus," Ivey told Hoops Addict. "As a player and as a coach he’s a great leader. He’s a great teacher. He sees things that maybe Russell (Westbrook) or I don’t see and he does a great job of walking through and showing us. He’s just a great communicator."
Oklahoma City players have sought out Derek for guidance (Getty Images).
Thunder reserve center Nazr Mohammed told the San Antonio Express-News that every team needs a player like D-Fish, one who grabs the attention of his teammates and makes every single one take notice.
"Sometimes, we sit down and have a little sermon from the Book of Fisher," Mohammed said. "He’s great. He has so many different experiences he shares with us, and he puts things in perspective. It’s amazing. I’ve been around this league a long time, and not too many catch the attention of their teammates, and they listen to every word he says when he speaks. And he’s right most of the time."
Of the experiences Fish values the most, that 2004 win over San Antonio, an unlikely win that propelled the team toward one last Finals trip sticks out. It’s those type of moments and the chance to live within them that Derek will council his Thunder brethren on before they take the floor on Sunday night.
"As a player you’re fortunate to have some of those moments," he said. "To be honest, the most I remember are years we didn’t win the championship, so one of the things I’ll be talking to the team about this year is that being just good enough, or having individual moments that people remember is cool, but winning it all is what people truly remember."
Derek often tell his teammates to embrace the moment (Getty Images).
To read Derek’s first person account to the Oklahoman of the finish to Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference semifinals, click here.
Game 1 of the 2012 Western Conference Finals tips from Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City on Sunday at 7:30 CDT and can be seen on TNT.
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- Derek Fisher looks back on his legendary 2004 buzzer-beater (The Oklahoman, May 25, 2012)
- Thunder Confident Because of Work Ethic, Gameplan (Thunder.NBA.com, May 26, 2012)