Fishy Departure
‘Fading Memory’ (Lisa Blumenfeld - NBAE/Getty Images)
Derrick Fisher burst out of the tunnel and on to the court to thunderous applause Thursday night. Of course there was still 75 minutes to (scheduled) tip off and the tunnel used by the visitors was surrounded by hundreds of Lakers fans that had poured in about 20 minutes earlier. The Jazz fans hadn’t had their turn yet.
When the starting line ups were announced Fisher got a mix of applause and boos from the capacity crowd. When he first touched the ball, the crowd started in again booing him like they did the last time he was here. Unlike last time the crowd didn’t stay with it for the whole game. Some seemed to try, others let it go.
There is still a lot of emotion around the whole Derrick Fisher leaving Utah saga. When he left in July it seemed so Black and White. It was a good thing. It was an honest move. Once he signed with L.A. there was no more Black and White. Only Purple and Gold. Two colors sure to agitate most basketball fans.
But I still think the boos should stop. I think the hate should end. I think we should take a cue from the Jazz players who look to Fisher like a brother instead of a snake.
Sure Fisher is almost undoubtedly happier today in L.A. than he would have been this year in Utah. He is playing more minutes. He is leading the team. His team is leading the West. More importantly – he and his family are home, and that home is near a doctor that specializes in treating the rare form of cancer that threatens the health of daughter Tatum. Something he would not have had in Utah.
The Jazz are better off too. Derrick Fisher originally proposed the Jazz trade him to a team in a city that had the medical facilities to treat Tatum. Due to his hefty contract the Jazz could not find a deal that made sense. When they agreed to release him – the Jazz got back cap room and flexibility. Fisher’s role in Utah was going to shrink every year. His paycheck on the other hand was going to keep growing and taking up space. By leaving he did the Jazz a favor. The money he forfeits might be used to keep Williams, Brewer, or Millsap.
For the record. “She is doing great” said Derrick Fisher with a smile when asked how Tatum is doing after the game on Thursday night. He answers questions about family and getting back home after a 4 game road trip with more enthusiasm than he did discussing the game where the Lakers reclaimed first place in the West and ended the Jazz impressive 19 game home win streak. If you can’t respect him as a player, you have to at least appreciate him as a father.
Fisher is a stand up guy. So what if he is gone. He didn’t slam the door on the way out. He left it open for others. He didn’t steal anything. He gave Utah one good year and left. What he did while a member of the Jazz and how he handled himself should be enough reason to give him his props, or at least just let him be.
8 Comments to “Fishy Departure”
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I agree. I hate that he left for the Lakers. We could use his leadership presence this year, but on the other hand, Sloan used him at the 2 alot last year along side Williams. If we still had Fisher, I think that would still be going on. Sloan likes to play 2 PGs. That would take away valuable time from Brewer who is developing nicely. In the end, his daughter is healthy, and that’s what’s important.
If any of the haters ever had to walk a mile in a fathers shoe’s who’s child is sick, they would only have admiration of his handling of his daughters medical situation. I would have preferred that he stayed in Utah. However, the game is just a game. Props to Derek Fisher; a stand-up guy, a good basketball player, and a GREAT parent.
Fish is a great guy with leadership abilities.
He’s in a better situation. He is better suited to the triangle than the Jazz offense and a better fit in the despised, hated Lakers.
Look, ALL Lakers get booed! They are an arrogant, supercilious group and franchise. They have the most egotistic coach in the NBA. They are like a spoiled child who gets anything he wants, like Shaque or Pau, for virtually nothing in return. They deserve our Boos.
As a player fit, playing time consumer and a salary cap millstone, the Jazz are much better off this year, than last, with him. DWil is leading better and Brewer is developing quicker without Fish.
The Jazz make the right decision, not for Fish’s daughter, who could have done just a well in any case, but for the Jazz.
They must have been delighted with a $0 “buyout.”
Jazzaholic
I think so many get caught up in the fact that he is playing for ther Lakers and forget to look at the little things (actually not so little) like leaving us a lot more money to keep the players we want to keep. Once again you have to rememer that this is the NBA and it is business!!
Ha ho, Ya it is big business!!!!!!!!! I think the main reason fisher left was to be close to his daughter and for better medical care. The second reason he left is for one very near and dear to my heart————he couldn’t stand sloan!!!!!!!!!!!! Good move on his part. A loss to the Jazz team, but they are doing well with the great players they have.
Ernest Monson
eemonson@yahoo.com
I really like Derrick Fisher and he was a good leader. he was one of the best thing s that has happened to the jazz then he left for the Lakers but I know it is for his daughter.
Ernest……I think you and I will argue about Sloan for the rest of our lives unless one of us can change the other’s mind. I’ve heard interviews where Fisher has praised coach but then I am sure you will argue that you can’t believe all you hear and that Fish is too smart to burn his bridges behind him
I agree that Fisher shouldn’t be booed because he left the Jazz. I’m not saying that he should be cheered upon either. In this sport where homecourt advantage goes a long way booing the other team is just part of the game.
If fans boo Fisher because he’s a Laker, then fine, that’s the way it should be. But they shouldn’t be booing him because they feel he snubbed the Jazz.
In all reality MORE players should look to family as priority when deciding where to play. They need to realize who’s gonna be there for them 20 years down the line…not the team…but their family.
I applaud Fisher for this decision.
Also, another point here…I find it amusing that so many Jazz fans were booing Fisher the first time he came back. They were yelling all sorts of stuff his direction about how he screwed the Jazz. Then they turned around and cheer the beloved Carlos Boozer…who in fact SCREWED the Cleveland Cavaliers…for what??? More money!!! LOL!!!
It’s funny how things are forgotten these days…
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