Archive for the 'Derek Fisher' Category

Kobe Leads West On First All-Star Ballot

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 11, 2008
in All-Star 2009, Andrew Bynum, Around the NBA, Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol
. Closed

Kobe Bryant
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The NBA’s 58th All-Star Game is all set to be played in Phoenix on Sunday, Feb. 15. All it needs is some players.

One will surely be Kobe Bryant, who after the first ballot returns leads all Western Conference players with 719,252 votes, followed by Yao Ming’s 529,290. That’s not close. Chris Paul follows Bryant at the guard position with 406,220 votes, while Tim Duncan (442,203) and Amar’e Stoudemire (370,470) lead Western Conference forwards. Pau Gasol ranks fifth among forwards with 260,374 votes. At center, Shaquille O’Neal (227,273) trails Yao, and is followed by Mehmet Okur (162,139) and then Andrew Bynum (155,689).

Let’s take a look at the whole ballot, and then summarize the positioning of each Lakers player:

2009 Western Conference All-Star Balloting - No. 1
Forwards: Tim Duncan (SA) 442,203; Amar’e Stoudemire (Pho) 370,470; Carmelo Anthony (Den) 327,233; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 261,952; Pau Gasol (LAL) 260,374; Ron Artest (Hou) 214,063; Bruce Bowen (SA) 121,739; Shane Battier (Hou) 115,981; Josh Howard (Dal) 113,456; Luis Scola (Hou) 82,344; Lamar Odom (LAL) 78,422.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 719,252; Chris Paul (NO) 406,220; Tracy McGrady (332,222); Manu Ginobili (SA) 166,981; Jason Kidd (Dal) 162,286; Tony Parker (SA) 161,638; Steve Nash (Pho) 142,410; Jason Terry (Dal) 105,345; Chauncey Billups (Den) 87,172; Brandon Roy (Por) 78,071; Rafer Alston (Hou) 73,613.

Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 529,290; Shaquille O’Neal (Pho) 227,273; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 162,139; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 155,689; Greg Oden (Por) 71,366; Andris Biedrins (GS) 65,496; Al Jefferson (Minn) 46,242; Tyson Chandler (NO) 39,467; Marcus Camby (LAC) 25,824; Chris Kaman (LAC) 9,104; Brad Miller (Sac) 6,892.

Kobe Bryant
Kobe’s huge lead in the Western Conference should only grow as the season goes on. If Kobe isn’t voted in as a starter for the 11th time in his career (every year but his rookie season and there was no game in 1999), then “The Office” is a terrible show that’s never funny and has bad actors. We don’t even need to bother discussing this.

Pau Gasol
Pau’s case is a bit more interesting. First of all, I’ll argue that he should be an All-Star. He’s very clearly been the second-best player on an 18-3 team, and has the numbers to back it up: 18.0 points (20th in the West); 9.2 rebounds (7th); 3.4 assists; 0.95 blocks; and, perhaps most impressively, 57.1 field goal shooting, which ranks fourth in the league behind three players that score mostly on dunks and layups (Nene, Shaq and Emeka Okafor). While Pau is unlikely to be voted in as a starter ahead of Duncan, Amare, ‘Melo or Dirk, one would think that the NBA’s coaches value and respect Gasol’s game enough to put him on the squad. Even if the just mentioned four players all get into the game, it’s hard to think that the coaches would rather have Artest, Bowen, Battier, Howard or Scola, who trail Gasol in votes. A few other players not yet cracking the vote minimum are Carlos Boozer (who’s been hurt); David West, who was an All-Star last season; Zach Randolph, who - no matter what you say about him - is averaging 20 and 11; LaMarcus Aldridge; and Al Jefferson, who’s actually listed as a center but is averaging 21 and 10 and could get in as a forward/center if Minnesota wins a few more games. Yet and still, do you think any of those players are more deserving than Pau? Me either.

Andrew Bynum
Unless Sun Yue makes a few calls to China on Bynum’s behalf, it’ll be quite difficult to jump Yao as the West’s starter at center. But there’s a good argument for Bynum being the West’s No. 2 center, particularly when we consider that his numbers should keep improving all the way up to the All-Star Game. Right now, he’s averaging 13.3 points, 8.9 boards (8th in the West), 1.95 blocks (7th in the NBA) and is shooting 56 percent from the floor (9th in the NBA). Andris Biedrins is putting up impressive numbers (15.2 points, 12.4 rebounds) but is on a bad team, just like Al Jefferson. Were Bynum the focal point of a team’s offense (like Al) or its only big man (like Biedrins), his numbers would probably rise to their level. As for the other two besides Yao ahead of ‘Drew, Shaq’s 15.4 and 8.4 are fine, but he doesn’t play the second side of back-to-backs. Okur’s numbers are right there with Shaq at 15.2 and 7.8, but the Turk is really more of a perimeter-oriented player on offense and doesn’t protect the rim on defense. Marcus Camby’s playing well, but Chris Kaman, Brad Miller, Tyson Chandler and Greg Oden shouldn’t threaten Bynum too much - it’ll be more about if Drew’s production continues to progress as it has in the last few weeks. If so, the kid’s first All-Star berth could be his reward.

Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher
While Odom’s currently the 11th player in terms of votes on the All-Star ballot, and certainly has All-Star caliber skills, he probably isn’t getting enough playing time on L.A.’s talent-laden squad to make as good of a case as other players. So with Lamar, let’s monitor his play (and minutes) heading into the next round of votes.

Fisher is the fifth Lakers player on the ballot, but with point guards like Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Baron Davis and now Chauncey Billups out West … Well let’s just say it’ll be tough.

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Fish Gets Physical

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on November 12, 2008
in Derek Fisher and Pre-Game
. Closed

Derek FisherDerek Fisher is in his fourth-straight year without missing a single game due to injury.

How about that?

It’s one of those statistics that gets not near enough credit or attention, but before we explore it any further, let’s go ahead and knock on wood a few times. Did you do it? Thanks.

Anyways, after coming upon that fact, I wanted to ask Fisher if anything’s changed in his preparation for a season and for games since he began his pro career in 1996. So before the Lakers took on the Mavericks Tuesday night in Dallas, I chatted with Fisher as he headed out for pregame warmups.

MT: What’s changed in your preparation from your rookie year until now?
Fisher: I think the biggest thing that’s changed in being a 22-year-old rookie to a 34-year-old veteran is physical. I’ve always mentally tried to prepare myself for who we were playing and the guys we match up against, but physical preparation has always been key for me. My personal trainer and I have come up with some things in the last few years to physically prepare me to play the game, making sure that everything is firing good and ready to go, that’s been really key for me. I’ve really enjoyed that process and it’s worked well for me.

MT: Obviously your body doesn’t respond the same way as it once did, when you barely had to warm up…
Fisher: As you get older and you play as many games as I have, and Kobe has and other guys that have been around for a long time, the body starts to wear. It takes a little bit longer to get the fireplace on each year that goes by, and preparation keeps you from having some of those nagging injuries and strains that require you to miss time and being away from the team. Going into my fourth year without missing a game due to injury at all, I (feel good) about my methods. It’s been an educational process for me, and I feel like I can continue to get better because of it. Just because I’m 34 doesn’t mean I have to ride off into the sunset. I feel like I can make major contributions to the team, and that’s what being on a team is all about.

In short, Fisher trains both hard and smart, and has a very specific plan to build muscle and take care of his body so that the toll of the 82+ game season keeps him on the court. Prior to games is never the time to have extended conversations with players since they’re trying to prepare, so I didn’t ask Fish for specifics about his routine. But, hopefully, we’ll get to that soon.

What was interesting to me Tuesday night is that Fisher struggled with his jumper throughout the game that started an hour after our conversation, making just 1-of-8 shots. But he managed to come up with four defensive rebounds, including the biggest board of the game in the final seconds, and added three assists and two steals. Often times it’s been his shot that’s given L.A. a big lift, but the point is that Fisher’s ability to keep himself in such fantastic shape (coupled with his hoops IQ) puts him in a good position to help his team in one way or another. And that’s his whole plan.

Clearly he’s onto something.

OK, time to go find a tree to knock on.

GM’s Favor Lakers

Published
by
Ty Nowell
on October 22, 2008
in Derek Fisher, Phil Jackson and Training Camp
. 0 Comments

The NBA’s annual General Manager survey has been released by the league and over 46% think the Lakers will take home the title this year.

The Celtics came in second with 19.2% of the vote and the Hornets garnered 11.5%.

The Purple & Gold are also the overwhelming favorite to win the West (66.7%) and the Pacific Division (100%).

As for individual honors, GM’s thought that Phil Jackson was the second best coach in the league (behind Gregg Popovich), but was the best motivator in the league by far. Guard Derek Fisher also made the top three of active players that will make the best head coach someday.

Derek Fisher Bobcats Preview

Published
by
Ty Nowell
on October 21, 2008
in Derek Fisher, Podcast and Preview
. 0 Comments

Lakers guard Derek Fisher talks with Mike Trudell about the Charlotte Bobcats. The Lakers play the Bobcats in San Diego tonight and Anaheim on Thursday.

 
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Kobe, Phil, Fish and … Dennis Rodman?

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on October 6, 2008
in Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, Podcast, Practice News and Training Camp
. 0 Comments

Perhaps the most interesting thing we learned prior to Lakers practice Monday at the team’s training facility wasn’t about Lamar Odom’s role, Andrew Bynum’s health or Sun Yue’s nickname. Instead, a local reporter asked Bryant what he thought about Phil Jackson calling Dennis Rodman – not Michael Jordan – the best athlete he ever coached.

“I do not disagree with that at all,” said Bryant. “People obviously think of Jordan first, but as an athlete, Dennis was a freak of nature. In terms of his size, he ran like a deer, he could run all day, he could defend from the one position all the way up to the five. Look at one series when he was guarding Jordan when he was with Detroit, and fast forward to when he was with the Bulls and he was guarding Shaq. You don’t see athletes like that too often.”

Interesting, right? Kobe went on to describe one training camp practice lineup that included a team of No. 24, Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, a group Bryant said made it difficult to even see the paint defensively due to the collective length. Good point. I’d take that combined wingspan against that of the Raiders’ offensive line, plus a tight end and a blocking back. Bryant also praised Gasol’s all-around hoops skill (heard that before); talked about liking the small forward position as it allows him to attack defenses in different ways (more on that later); and explained how comfortable camp has been since the entire team knows Jackson’s system (very). As for the coach…

He of nine NBA (coaching) Championships spoke to media for only a few minutes, but of course provided some interesting sound bites. He contradicted Bryant’s statement that Gasol and Bynum looked “great” together with this comment:

“Right now (Bynum and Gasol) are very clumsy and aren’t working well together . We have a group that played together very well last year, and there are some things that we need to discuss to see how long we drag this out and how quickly we facilitate this.”

Jackson did qualify his comment by stating that once everyone figures out where they fit in, the team has the ability to play “exceptionally well.” Jackson also reported that both Bryant and Gasol will play against Utah in Anaheim on Tuesday at 7 p.m., contrary to some speculation wondering if the Olympic stars would be rested. Jackson expects Bryant to play for about half the game, while Gasol could see even less time as the head coach wants PT for Bynum, Chris Mihm and D.J. Mbenga.

In other news, Derek Fisher spoke at length about his health; with no medical degree on this end, perhaps it’s better if you hear it from Fisher.

 
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Derek Fisher Practice Audio

Published
by
Ty Nowell
on October 6, 2008
in Derek Fisher, Podcast, Practice News and Training Camp
. 0 Comments

Derek Fisher talked this morning about the foot injury that limited him towards the end of last season. Click below to listen to what Fish had to say.

 
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Player Capsule: Derek Fisher

Published
by
Jeff Skibiski
on June 27, 2008
in Derek Fisher and Off-Season
. 0 Comments

Contract Status: Under contract

While the internal improvement of the Lakers’ younger players and the trades for Gasol and Ariza certainly boosted team morale amid an injury-riddled season, Derek Fisher’s steady leadership and lethal outside shooting were instrumental in helping L.A. reach the NBA Finals. Returning from stints as a Warrior and Jazz, the 6’1” guard was fourth on the team in scoring with nearly 12 a game, on an impressive 41% from beyond the arc and 88% from the charity stripe.

Heading into next year, Fisher will likely once again start out the season as the team’s starting point guard. In 2007-08, Derek played over 27 minutes per game at the position with Farmar nabbing the other 20 or so. With the veteran one year older, the split might be a little more close to equal next year. Still, there are no signs of any major slow-down in Derek’s game as the twelfth year guard out of Arkansas-Little Rock played in all 82 games, even after it was revealed that he was playing with a partially torn ligament in his foot.

The Finals Game 5: Pre-Game

Published
by
Jeff Skibiski
on June 15, 2008
in Derek Fisher, Finals, Kobe Bryant and Pre-Game
. 0 Comments

Before tonight’s pivotal Game 5 against the Celtics, Coach Jackson said that the team’s mood was good. The veteran coach said that he told his team that “The only way to approach this is to keep playing,” reiterating to them that they were “young enough and dumb enough” to pull off the impossible by becoming the first team in NBA Finals history to come back from a 3-1 deficit.

According to Jackson, the veteran players on the team responded particularly well to the Lakers’ crushing 24 point collapse in Game 4, noting that the light was back in their eyes. Jackson said he isn’t worried about how the Kobe Bryant’s and Derek Fisher’s will play tonight, but more so the team’s youthful bench who particularly suffered in the second half on Thursday.

“Our bench didn’t score in the second half of the game on Thursday night and I really wanted them to get the confidence back because they’ve supported us all year and that’s where I need to see the confidence come back in their faces, their eyes,” said Jackson.

For the Lakers, tonight’s matchup is all about “focusing on what’s happening right now in this game,” said Jackson, instructing his team to remain in the present instead of looking at the potentially daunting task of having to win the final two games of the series in Boston.

The Finals Game 3: What Went Right/Wrong

Published
by
Jeff Skibiski
on June 12, 2008
in Derek Fisher, Features, Finals, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Phil Jackson and Sasha Vujacic
. 0 Comments

What Went Right:
• Kobe had his best shooting night of the series so far, making 12-20 shots en route to a game-high 36 points. Moreover, the MVP came through when it mattered most, making critical buckets in the final three minutes of the game to seal the victory for the Lakers.

• While Bryant’s effort was important, Boston Coach Doc Rivers said that Sasha’s 20 point outburst was the key to the game. Vujacic was similarly clutch too, making the biggest three pointer of his life with just under two minutes to go to create some distance from the Celtics.

• The Lakers played stellar defense on Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, holding the star duo to a combined 8-35 shooting and 19 points. After the game, Coach Jackson singled out Kobe for his defense on Pierce in particular, holding the forward to a series low six points.

• After dishing out 16 assists in Game 2, Rajon Rondo suffered an injured ankle that is threatening his status for tonight’s Game 4. In Game 3, the young Celtics guard only scored eight points to go along with four assists and wasn’t much of a factor on offense.

Continue reading ‘The Finals Game 3: What Went Right/Wrong’

The Finals Game 1: Lakers vs. Celtics Post-Game

Published
by
Jeff Skibiski
on June 5, 2008
in Derek Fisher, Finals, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Phil Jackson and Post-Game
. 0 Comments

The Lakers led the Celtics by five at halftime, but were unable to weather a red-hot Paul Pierce in the third quarter as they were outscored 52-37 in the second half on their way to a 98-88 Game 1 loss.

It was a tale of two halves tonight,” said Coach Jackson after the game. “We had some control in the first half, played the kind of game we wanted to play, and the second half we came out and immediately wiped out the lead we had established in about 20 seconds, a matter of two possessions. So it was quite a flurry that they came out and played that third quarter with, put us back on our heels.”

Although Kevin Garnett led Boston with 24 points, Paul Pierce shined with 22 points after being carried off the court by his teammates due to a knee injury sustained during an important juncture in the third quarter.

“A guy grabs his knee, you know, there’s no good thoughts,” said Celtics Coach Doc Rivers. “I was really proud, honestly, of our team during the stretch when he was in the locker room. I thought that was the biggest part of the game. We could have easily felt sorry for ourselves. We actually made a little run there. But then when he came out he was big for us.”

Continue reading ‘The Finals Game 1: Lakers vs. Celtics Post-Game’