LA Lakers' Derek Fisher Is Getting off Easy in the Blame Game

When you look at the Los Angeles Lakers, what do you see?

Do you see a bunch of once championship-spirited, lost souls running up and down the court with no sense of direction? Do you wonder where the spark went and why they could not conjure up that abandoned spirit that put them on a phenomenal post All-Star break, before dropping five straight?

I know what I think about when I envision the once thriving franchise, “Why doesn’t anyone understand that the point guard, also known as the heart of the team, is showing his age on the court, therefore projecting his wilting athletic ability on his team’s ball movement?”

By no means does this statement infer that the losses in the Dallas Mavericks second-round series were solely Derek Fisher’s fault. There is also an in-depth understanding of how close personally and professionally Kobe Bryant is to his longtime teammate. A certain nostalgia sparks when both of them are playing on the court together like it is 2002 again.

But reminiscing has nothing to do with business and as cold as that may sound, Fisher does not move to the same tune he used to. It is not something uncommon in professional sports.

When you reach the peak of your ability, you either level off or begin to deter from what people’s standards of your talent have become. In Derek’s case, he is on a slow ride down the right side of the hill in front of everyone’s eyes. It just seems as if no one is prepared to take him aside and admit it to him.

Not only did Fisher only average 6.8 points, but he only averaged 2.7 assists. If his job is not to distribute the ball and create shots for his men, then what is it? Kobe is supposed to be the team’s leader. That has become the Lakers’ trademark along the years.

However, does that mean that the scope is taken off of the other men wearing similar jerseys? Does that mean that only he gets the blame for games gone awry? Everyone was praying to their lucky stars for Derek Fisher to make the decision to stay with the Lakers in the wake of superstars making big moves to big cities in last year’s free-agent season.

But I do not believe at any moment that any of those people foreshadowed a mere 6.6-point performance against the teams with an elite point guard. If he cannot contend with the players playing at the same position, how can fans expect the Lakers to advance past the likes of Oklahoma City, Dallas Mavericks or defeat teams like Chicago in the NBA Finals?

The sadder part of everything lies in the fact that while his game is reflecting his date of birth, Jason Kidd, at 38 years old, is having moments of greatness against teams who were favored against him and the Dallas Mavericks. As many old jokes as one can toss at him, he has a three-pointer to put up right back. His skill set has improved and he still finds way to excel in any avenue Dallas needs him to.

Most people look towards Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom to carry the scoring load when Kobe Bryant does not have a hot night, as they should. All three of these men have shown the ability to penetrate or shoot the mid-range jumper to pull their teammates right back into the game. They all should be held accountable when things are not going in the Lakers favor.

However, there is another man that should have the share of the blame. Fisher’s role in the organization must evolve. If he refuses to adjust to demands of present day NBA success, LA, even under the influence of newly instated coach Mike Brown, will falter in all ways possible. The point guard has become key and Fisher needs to act accordingly.