Many people look at the February 1st trade (or should I say steal) for Pau Gasol as the big move that turned the Lakers into contenders. Yes, that trade was huge given the fact that you need a dominate big man in the Western Conference. However, the biggest move the the Lakers made was in the off season and it was bringing back point guard Derek Fisher.
Fisher brought a strong leadership to young team in desperate need of it. Also, he brings championship experience to a roster that outside of Kobe has none. He is also a guy that can, has and does not care to take the big shot.
Most importantly, remember how Kobe spent the summer complaining about his teammates and we all knew that he did not trust them in different situations. Fisher was with Kobe when they won three championships so it gave Kobe someone to trust.
In the season in which Kobe puts together his best complete season as a player and leader is there a coincidence that he shared the back court with Fisher? I do not think so!
Fisher has brought a calming force and has trained Kobe how to be a leader and trust his teammates. Early in the season when the team was struggling, he provided everything need and want from a veteran point guard.
Now even in the playoffs Fisher and Kobe have been the catalysts and the guys that have nailed the coffin shut at the end. In Game 2 when the Jazz made a push and cut the lead to 7, Fisher hit a huge 3 to push the lead back to 10.
Kobe has repeatably drove in the lane and dished off to Gasol and Odom for easy lay-ups and dunks. In the last four minutes, Kobe scored six points and continued to draw fouls on anyone and everyone that attempted to guard him.
The leadership and total of six rings that Kobe and Fisher have has lead the Lakers to a 2-0 series lead. If Fisher who was called "a student of the game" by coach Phil Jackson and Kobe, who was called the "ultimate competitor" by Lakers former great and former GM Jerry West, continue to play and lead like they have it is no stretch of the imagination to think they can be World Champions again.
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about 1 month ago
Nice read. It truly is a combination of things. I think the Fisher pick-up has been underrated as well, because it gives them someone who can defend the great point guards in the west, and also someone who will consistently knock down long range shots. Fisher is also everything you say he is. A great leader and a veteran.
Gasol helps a lot though in terms of balancing the offensive attack. Trying to win when your inside attack is weak is hard to do, even when Kobe is the guy manning your outside attack. That inside-outside game helps Kobe, and in turn helps Gasol, and makes everyone involved better in the process because the defense has to keep shifting and guessing.
It's just been a complete transformation for the Lakers this year. Phil's development of the bench has been huge also.
from about 1 month ago
John,
Totally agree with you. If you did not need a inside game Kobe would have at least 3 more rings. The trade helped everyone with the expection the Grizzles. The bench play has been huge all year. Jackson put them in the game in key situation just to make sure that when this time of year was here they would know what to do and they have not disappointed. I think he learned from losing to the Pistons that the bench has to be able to perform in pressure moments.
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