Mile High Goodbye

By | 2016-10-28T20:55:16-08:00 January 9th, 2014|Blog|26 Comments

Thursday will mark my final regular season game against the Nuggets in Denver. It should be another one of those nights just to take it all in, and think about how much has changed over time.

This being my final season in the NBA is definitely something that has taken some time to get used to. I’ve done this since I was a six-year old kid, and have been fortunate enough to do it well professionally for almost 20 years. I’ve always understood that I wouldn’t be able to play forever, and that there’s much more to life for me to experience after I’m done being a basketball player. I’m not afraid of the future in that regard. It’s something that I’m very realistic about.

But one thing that has happened this season made me think a little more about the end. My good friend and former teammate Kobe Bryant suffered a knee injury shortly after he returned from his absence with an Achilles tear. Seeing him go down — almost like a kindred spirit — reminded me that at some point, I’m not going to be able to play.

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I’ve rarely assumed that there would always be more games, and more chances to do something special. I’ve always kind of approached playing the game and being around the game as though this could be it every time I stepped out there. I’ve always had that mentality.

Still, Kobe’s injury really put me in a tough place emotionally — not only because he is a friend, but also because it was an example of just how fragile this business really is, and how quickly your career can change. Things like that can happen, and just like that, you might not be the same.

It was a tough couple of days to kind of process that. But I’m better with it now. I know he’ll be fine. He’ll be great when he comes back.

MILE HIGH FINALE

There’s definitely something different about playing in the high altitude in Denver than other places. The science behind it and altitude training have proven as much. But I think it’s also a mindset. When you’re going into a setting where you’re going to play a game on Thursday and you get there on Wednesday, there’s not much you can do other than to prepare yourself mentally for feeling the difference.

One thing that I’ve always tried to do in Denver: If we don’t have practice the day before, I try to push myself harder than I normally would when we have shootaround the morning of the game, and in our pre-game warmups. That way, when the game starts, it’s not as difficult to push through it. Your heart and lungs have experienced what that feels like because you’ve already pushed yourself.

Denver and the Nuggets franchise are very different now from the first time I got the opportunity to play there in my rookie year. During my second stint with the Lakers, we played Denver in the playoffs twice. The Western Conference Finals series we played with them in 2009 was a really competitive series. We had some pretty good matchups with those guys over the years.

df_blog_010914_gkBack then, their head coach was George Karl, and he’s one of the best to ever coach in our game. He won a ton of games with a lot of teams, coached teams that went to the Finals, and made several playoff runs. Over the years, he and I have gotten as close as possible for a coach and player who never worked together.

I spent some time with his son, Coby Karl, when he was on our team in LA for a couple different stints. Coby and I got close, and we still stay in contact. I got closer to George because of my friendship with Coby. It’s well documented that both George and Coby battled cancer and survived. That also brought us closer. George was always very supportive of me and my family situation with my daughter, so I returned that same support and love as he was going through his experience. I’ll always have a tremendous amount of respect for him.

Now their head coach is Brian Shaw, who was a teammate of mine in Los Angeles during my first run with the Lakers, and an assistant coach under Phil Jackson during my second stint. I’m extremely happy for Brian. It’s a well-deserved opportunity for him. I feel blessed and fortunate to still be a player now, going back to play against a team with a head coach that I used to play with. It’s a fantastic reminder of how full circle my career has come, and how many different things I’ve been able to see and experience over my time in the league.

26 Comments

  1. Kamal January 9, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    Greatness!

  2. Rebecca January 9, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    You’ll always be my favorite! No doubts that the NBA will miss you!!

  3. ed January 9, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    You sir, will always be a laker to me. God bless you and your family, you are truly missed in lakerland.

  4. Nikki Sanders January 9, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    I have so much respect and love for you Derek. You were always the epitome of hard work and devotion, so I’m sure you will continue to do great things for the game. I wish you all the best!

  5. eli January 9, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    Just Perfect! Great Job man! hope you enjoy your new journey, this is not the end, but the begining of a new.
    Much Love! Fish!

  6. eric January 9, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Thanks for the memories FISH. One of the good guys. A major piece of the puzzle of the great Lakers Run. More importantly, just a solid guy. No one is perfect, but u always kept your nose clean. And u were a leader. Always a Laker to me. Hope to see that Jersey hanging from the rafters of I ever make it back to Staples Center.
    Lifelong Lakers fan from Montgomery, AL

  7. Diana January 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    D-Fish you are always a Laker in my heart. Grew-up watching you play and remember all those championships that you contributed to here in LA. I am sad that your time as an NBA player is coming to an end but I hope to see you take another role within the organization. You should come back to LA and be our coach! (wishful thinking…can happen). Bless you and your family always.

  8. Chris January 9, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    D-Fish….you are the man! I have been a fan of yours for many years…when you were a Laker (killing my Warriors)….when you were a Warrior (teaching young men to be better men and players)…to now(still playing…still teaching…still leading by example). You will be missed as one of the great men and players in the NBA in my opinion. You have made the game fun to watch and be a part of. I wish you much success at whatever you do from here forward. Enjoy this last run!

  9. Cathy January 9, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    D-Fish,
    Thank you for all of the memories. You are the definition of class.

    Cathy M.

  10. Kim January 9, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    You are a very classy man. I have not nor will I ever watch the lakers again since the last time they traded you…. I was fortunate enough to see you play at the Staples Center before they traded you, I have photos of you that will be treasured forever… I wish you and your family nothing but happiness and health always. I refer to you as My Three Point Man!!!!!

    Best wishes,

  11. Schuyler Richards January 9, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    True greatness. I wish you would coach the lakers one day. Next Year? I’ve always been one of your biggest supporters. I remember when we got you back for your second stint, a lot of people were talking trash and I defended you every time and you ended up winning 2 more championships and hitting some of the most clutch shots ever. I’ll never forget Game 5 of the 2009 finals and game 3 of the 2010 finals! I wish you the best of luck. GO LAKERS!

  12. Don January 9, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    I appreciate your blog & your sharing. Loved your book and hope you continue to do good work & share. Thx Derek

  13. Laurissia johnson January 9, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    You are an excellent writer. I really enjoyed reading your blog. An award winner if I’ve ever seen one. I will miss you. You add so much to the game. It’s thrilling. Even the charge taking.” Walk off when you leave.” Have the best the very best I f years. Love you Lord Fisher.

  14. Clarence Finley III. January 9, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    Remenber when Quick (Nick Van Exel) got traded to the Nuggets in 99′. I was so amped to see you guys get to go head to head other than practice. The actually games you played against him were no comparison to the battles you, Nick, Kobe and Eddie Jones had in practice at Southwest LA College and the Forum. Nick was really cool, one of my favorite Lakers.

  15. Linda Loughner January 9, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    D-Fish…Respect you so much as an athlete and as a man. You make me smile! God bless you and your family real big!

  16. shannon Enriquez January 9, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    You have and will always be my favorite! NBA will miss you! Good luck in the next chapter of yiur life.

  17. Robin Martinez January 9, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    D-Fish you were the heart of the Lakers!! When you left they lost there heart. You have always been my favorite not just as a player but as a mentor to the team. You are truly genuine and have the biggest heart. I wish you and your family nothing but the best in your future endeavors!! God Bless You

  18. Carol Malave January 9, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Your are the BEST Fisher! You always kept the Lakers alive. Thank you for the years of memories and I can’t wait to see you in your final game in LA ill be right there in March! And after that maybe one day as a coach for the lakers. Thanks for all memories and I wish you only the best in your future.

  19. Kim January 9, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    Fish, it is indeed amazing and fantastic to see where Brian Shaw’s hard work, integrity and talent have brought him post his playing days. We will one day soon get to witness your next act following your playing days with just as much admiration and success as Shaw is having. Looking forward to the rest of your season and your next “act.’

  20. Susan January 9, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    What a true gentleman, you have been blessed to play a game you love and able to provide for your family . n NBA will truly miss you. It will be very emotional for you and all the Lakers fans on your final stop in La. Definitely will go to that game.

  21. Jim Mattern January 10, 2014 at 5:04 am

    This guy is truly an all around cowboy, as he did it all, and he did it at 110% every night! He will be truly missed, and truly hard to replace!

  22. Mark January 10, 2014 at 6:20 am

    Mr. Fisher,
    My wife and I watched you with the Lakers and you were our favorite player. You always played defense and you always gave 100 percent every night. Even though Kobe and Shaq got most of the attention, it was you that we respected the most. God bless you and thank you for years of great games.

    M & A Sanders

  23. tommy January 10, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    My all time favorite LAKER !!! Just a class act!!

  24. Raul January 10, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    You’re the best Derek! Lakers for life!

  25. onefishfan January 16, 2014 at 1:05 am

    You will always be my fav Laker. they screwed up trading you. look at them now. so much more than the stats line. you were the glue that held the team together. 5 NBA and 8 West champs for the Lakers (yes you got 9 one with the Thunder) but that just shows it. it was never shaq, Kobe cant win without D-fish. lol. ok, just a little humor, but kobe said the same when shaq did his rap. kobe said “shaq couldn’t win without me, neither of us could win without D-fish. Kobe knew…. Please be a Laker again…. just sit with them… thats all it will take :p

  26. Nicolette March 2, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Fish – you are an inspiration. Like so many who have commented, I respect your integrity and 100% effort 100% of the time in all you do. It has always been a joy to watch you play- wherever you play- and as a die-hard Laker fan, I hope you’ll be back someday to play another leadership role in this organization. But whatever you do, wherever you go next, i wish you the best. You’ll do the right thing, you’ll be an influence for positive change, you ‘ll lead others to do the same. Thanks for being such a class act. May you and your family enjoy health and happiness.

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