Derek Fisher Breaks Record for Most Playoff Game Appearances in NBA History
In the NBA, players come and go. Stars rise and fall. Dynasties are built and crumble. And since 1996, Derek Fisher may be the one constant.
When he checked into Tuesday's Game 5 of the first-round series between his Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies, the ageless Fisher made history:
According toย The Oklahoman's Anthony Slater, Fisher talked about the opportunity before the game, saying, "Couldnโt have imagined this. Couldnโt have dreamt it, couldnโt have paid Joel Silver to write it or direct it or produce it. Not in my wildest dreams."
The reference to the film industry may have come naturally to Fisher as a result of the time he spent in Hollywood as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons:
He won five NBA championships as a Laker, playing a critical role alongside the likes of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Pau Gasol.
He wore the purple and gold for 193 of his career playoff games, averaging 8.8 points and shooting 40.3 percent from three-point range.
While there, he hit a number of memorable shots. Perhaps none were bigger than this:
Now in 2014, the 39-year-old point guard is still getting rotation minutes for a team that is a legitimate title contender.
His contributions likely won't be as big as they were in his Lakers, or even Utah Jazz days, but no one will be surprised if he hits a few more clutch shots before he's done.
Andy Bailey covers the NBA for Bleacher Report.
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