This Week in Shrug: Derek Fisher's Post-Lakers Future

Every week, I will highlight a story that we media types are perhaps overly harping on, and viciously, viciously shrug at it.  

This week, we are caring far too much about where Derek Fisher goes, Derek Fisher's legacy, just how very strange it is to not see Derek Fisher at his old locker, etc. I am among the culprits, but let me just tell you: He was a horrendous player to watch, and for the last couple years, he played terribly.

Sentiment need not apply here, especially if it hypnotizes you into thinking Derek Fisher will toss some magic winning pixie dust on your favorite contending team.

The short answer to "Where will Derek Fisher go?" is "It doesn't matter." The short answer to "Isn't it sad that D-Fish is leaving the Lakers?" is "No it isn't, please start caring about real things." 

First, let us tackle the notion that Derek Fisher can help some veteran-starved team out there. He won't.

He's not good anymore, even relative to end-of-benchers. The idea that Fisher can just "hang around and hit clutch threes" is facile on its face. It's a hope that assumes teams can or should suffer through the win-jeopardizing play of a 37-year-old point guard, just on the off-chance that he might hit a wide-open shot or two from the couch of his convalescent home.

D-Fish hasn't had a PER of over 10.0 (league average is 15.0) in more than three years. He has shot less than 40 percent in each of the last three seasons.

Why squander value with a player like this when a D-League call-up can better help your team? If you think Fisher can provide some calming veteran tonic, then hire him as a coach. 

Now, for the sentiment, that maudlin ode to Fisher's presence in our lives. It's impolitic to say it right now, but I speak for the legion of those who loathed his court time.

There were the cheap fouls, the flops and the charges taken off the ball, 70 feet from the hoop. He simply trolled the beautiful game of basketball.

Part of me does not blame Fisher for this—he was just hanging on for dear life, years after having outlived his skills. But you won't find a treacle retrospective for a guy who left the Lakers for the Golden State Warriors, just to collect a bigger check.

There is nothing wrong with doing so, but he's less a "Laker for life" than someone who stayed on the Lakers in good times and let go of the coattails in bad times. If you love him you love him, but I have no love for that love.