Image by Getty Images via @daylifeHe probably shouldn't have had to get on a plane across the country to Miami in order get his deal, but Derek Fisher did finally sign a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Lakers.By Fisher's reaction and statements, he seemed to be displeased with the Lakers and talked as if he was doing them a favor out of loyalty and commitment to Kobe Bryant.
"I have decided to continue with Kobe, continue with our teammates and the fans of Los Angeles," said Fisher in a statement. "While this may not be the most lucrative contract I've been offered this off-season, it is the most valuable. I am confident I will continue to lead this team on and off the court. Let the hunt for six begin. . . ."
There were three main risks for the Lakers to potentially let Fisher walk:
1. It would have been demoralizing emotionally, as his intangibles are actually well-documented and well-known. His role in being Kobe Bryant's best friend on the team and the one player than can legitimately challenge him on a personal level creates an improved harmony in the Lakers' locker room.
2. Fisher would have almost certainly signed with a team that would also be competing for a title. The scenario of matching up in a playoff series against Fisher in red and black Heat colors, or another team would have of course provided some awkwardness.
3. Even though they have already signed Steve Blake, the Lakers would have been unable to replace Fisher with anything other than the remaining mid-level (very little left) and the veteran's minimum. They could have conceivably offered Fisher the max, so there should have been no excuse to be outbid. The Lakers certainly took advantage of Fisher's commitment to his teammate and to the franchise as well.
While I'm not sure if Fisher's on-court play deserves the contract he received, his overall contributions certainly get him there. Even if his minutes decrease to the point to where they are virtually nonexistent, at least we know he will contribute in the role of a surrogate coach.
Talking about Fisher's play on the floor, he certainly has declined to the point of being a liability defensively. He gives up a lot in the way of quickness to the NBA's best point guards, but he performed well in the playoffs and generally is not beat by his man in ISOs.
Where teams take advantage of Fisher the most is on the pick-and-roll where his defense is genuinely porous. He also has a difficult time in closing out on perimeter shooters after sagging off into the paint in help.
What is clear on Fisher's production is how well he knows the Triangle and hits clutch jumpers. He doesn't demand excessive shots and he keeps opposing point guards with his ability to stretch the floor and also hit those occasional mid-range jumpers off the glass that he should almost have patented.
The myth of Fisher's clutch shots have possibly been overstated and excessively mythologized over the years, but Phil Jackson and Bryant have a lot of confidence in him to make those shots. Even the threat of Fisher beating him is productive since the reputation demands opposing teams to consider him in late game situations.
Point guard was an issue of concern for the Lakers throughout 09-10 and with Fisher re-signed and Blake now on the roster, it is at least stable. The position will remain a deficiency for the foreseeable future, but it is of course negligible as long as Kobe, Pau, Bynum, Artest and Lamar Odom are healthy.
Grade for Lakers: A-
I Tweeted over the weekend that 50% of Fisher's trip to Miami was to get Doc Jerry Buss to pony up some cash and possibly the other 50% was reconnoissance. Fisher wasn't too pleased that he was forced to get on a plane to meet with LeBron James, Pat Riley and the Heat, but the Lakers must work under the reality of every extra dollar spent counts double because of the luxury tax. Given the probability of Fisher having a sizable role with the Lakers upon his retirement, whether in something as minimal as player development, or potentially as a future head coach, he will be drawing checks with the Lakers' logo on it for many more years beyond the 12-13 season.
Grade for Fisher: B+
http://lakers.realgm.com/articles/159/20100713/grading_the_deal_lakers_keep_derek_fisher/
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