5 Reasons the Loss of Derek Fisher Will Haunt Lakers in 2012 NBA Playoffs

It seemed so strange for NBA fans to see him in another uniform, but to Derek Fisher, it felt so right.

Last night, former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Derek Fisher suited up for the first time with his new squad, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Fisher commented, "I'm here to offer nuggets of wisdom, advice, the things I've been through," as he contributed five points in 19 minutes in the Thunder's 114-91 victory of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The 16-year NBA veteran joined the Thunder after the Los Angeles Lakers traded him on March 16 to the Houston Rockets who subsequently waived him.

Though Fisher has comported himself as the consummate professional in responding to the recent Lakers trade, expect the cagey and competitive point guard to square off against his former team in the approaching 2012 NBA playoffs.

Should the NBA season end today, the Northwest Division-leading Thunder and the Pacific Division-leading Lakers should both advance past their first round opponents and face each other in the second round of the Western Conference Finals.  

The 37 year-old Fisher will certainly afford the Thunder an edge in the series and haunt them in the following ways:

1) Los Angeles Lakers Locker Room Void

Throughout the NBA, Derek Fisher has been widely regarded as a calming, cerebral influence on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Fisher's maturity and stoic personality have always stood in stark contrast to the more fiery demeanor of his superstar teammate for 16 years, Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers will certainly miss Fisher's leadership. His departure leaves a cavernous locker room void that not even Kobe Bryant can fill.

The outspoken Bryant has historically and publicly demonstrated his angst toward teammates. Without Fisher, who on Lakers will intervene when Bryant begins another public beef?

Pau Gasol is too passive, Metta World Peace is too fickle, Bynum is still too unproven as a leader. The salty Steve Blake, rookie Andrew Goudelock and newcomer Ramon Sessions are still finding their sea legs.

Expect Fisher's loss in the locker room to hurt the team before it takes to the hardwood during their 2012 NBA playoff run.

2) Who Can Replace Fisher's Playoff Experience?

Derek Fisher has won five NBA Championships during his 16 year career. The point guard's 209 NBA playoff game appearances ranks fourth best of all time.

During his successful career as backcourt mate to Kobe Bryant, Fisher has averaged 28 minutes and 8.9 points per game during the playoffs.

A very reliable shooter, the former Laker has shot 42.7% from the field, 79% from the free throw line and an NBA best 40.3% from beyond the arc.

By jettisoning Fisher, the Lakers lose the proven experience of a winner, better yet a champion.

It's doubtful that the erratic Steve Blake or rookie Andrew Goudelock can possibly provide the same level of backcourt production that Fisher has offered. Nor, can we expect super-quick acquisition Ramon Sessions to replicate Fisher's contributions over the years.

The burden of responsibility will completely fall on Bryant's shoulders to carry the Lakers.

Like Fisher, Kobe is no spring chicken either, but he'll start enjoying his next offseason as the elder Fisher relishes a deeper run in the 2012 NBA playoffs with his much younger teammates in Oklahoma City.

3) Los Angeles Lakers Playbook

Derek Fisher is smart, very smart.

Without moxie and brains, the former Arkansas-Little Rock product would never have enjoyed his well documented NBA success both on and off the court.

As President of the National Basketball Players Association, Derek Fisher earned his position by studying situations, evaluating scenarios and determining the best options for success.

With that said, it's a given that this extremely bright basketball player has mastered the inner-workings of first year Lakers' coach Mike Brown's playbook.

Armed with 16 years of NBA experience, plenty of chalk talks in the locker room and intense game-time clipboard decision making, the veteran Fisher walked away from the Staples center with the Lakers' playbook permanently etched on his brain.

Derek Fisher will have a distinct advantage over his former team should they face each other in the playoffs because he'll already know Mike Brown's schemes...and so will his new teammates on the Thunder. 

4) Derek Fisher's Ability to Make Big Plays

He may be 37 years-old, have 16 years of regular season and playoff games under his belt, be slow-footed, less athletic and less able to push the ball up the court as quickly as he had in the past.

And, he may not be able to move as quickly laterally in order to famously "flop" or take the charge as he used to.

However, don't count Derek Fisher completely out of this year's NBA playoffs.

For one last defensive stand, two clutch free throws or one last game-winning three-point shot, expect Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks to utilize Derek Fisher wisely in potential game-winning situations.

As one of only 10 active NBA players to amass 10,000 points, 3,500 assists and 1,200 steals, count on one last charge from this cagey vet in at least one game during this year's playoffs.

5) Derek Fisher Makes the Oklahoma City Thunder Better

Overnight, with one simple Derek Fisher signature on an NBA contract, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a better basketball team.

It makes no difference if the newly acquired Fisher plays 20 minutes a game or one, the Thunder now hold the advantage over Fisher's previous team and almost certain Western Conference playoff opponent Los Angeles Lakers.

Fisher's unquestionable leadership, proven NBA success and willingness to take, and make, game-winning shots in the playoffs will without a doubt serve the Oklahoma City Thunder well in their quest for an NBA Championship.

However, before the Thunder achieve a birth in the NBA Finals, they'll in all likelihood need to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs first.

What will help propel the Thunder past the Lakers should be the giant, unseen chip on Derek Fisher's shoulder.

Fisher's personal angst will help his new Thunder teammates physically and psychologically.

Whether the 37 year old contributes physically on the court, psychologically in the locker room or emotionally from the bench during games, he furnished the Thunder with an advantage birthed over 16 years in the NBA as a winner and a leader, mostly with a team that recently spurned him.

The great English poet John Milton may have penned the famous line in literature that "hell hath no wrath like a woman scorned."

Well, allow me to update Milton's message in modern day professional basketball vernacular by saying, "nothing will make the recently released former Laker Derek Fisher happier than to haunt his former team by beating them in the playoffs".

Straight talk. No static.

MIKE - aka Mike Raffone - thee ultimate talking head on sports!