The Los Angeles Lakers had just finished practice last season at their training facility in El Segundo, Calif., and the team was ready to meet with press — most of the team, that is.
On the other side of the gym, Derek Fisher was still at it. The veteran guard regularly takes extra time to practice his jump shot and his three-point shot with a coach. The expression on Fisher’s face was nothing less than sheer determination as he fired one jumper after another.
You’d never have known that his role on the Lakers had been reduced last season due to the acquisition of future Hall of Famer Gary Payton. Fisher practiced — and played as a backup — as if nothing had changed. On this day, the press just had to wait for him to nail a few more jumpers.
Fisher is a prime example of a player who doesn’t grumble when things don’t go his way. He was gracious after Payton arrived to take his starting point guard spot and never complained openly about his diminished role.
“You have to realize that this isn’t just about me and about me starting or how much playing time I get,” Fisher said after finally finishing his extra workout. “This is about us as a team and winning another championship. I’ll do what it takes to contribute, whether that means starting or coming off the bench.”
That attitude is among many reasons the 30-year-old Fisher gained a reputation as one of the most popular players in Southern California. Add his work ethic and positive demeanor and it’s easy to see why he’s respected throughout the NBA. One California sports writer described Fisher as one of “the NBA’s best locker-room presences” and his jersey as “floor-scraped and blood-stained.”
What you see is what you get with Fisher: a player determined to give his all in practices and games each night and a person humble and willing enough to take on any transition as if it were part of the schedule.
During his eight-year career as a Laker, Fisher saw it all. He celebrated three consecutive championships but tasted defeat in the finals last season. He endured injuries, highly publicized alleged quarrels among other team members and losing his coveted starting position. He suffered through a career-low 35-percent shooting last season. Yet he endured with the patience and consistent spirit of a man committed to following Christ. Fisher credits much of his success and determination to his faith in Jesus.
RISE OF A LEADER
Born and raised in Little Rock, Ark., Fisher grew up in a Christian home, but it wasn’t until college that he began to develop an understanding of a personal relationship with Christ. At the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, he became active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. “I had a lot of influence in college from Ken Coggins, our strength and conditioning coach,” Fisher said. “He was really a strong Christian and through him I started attending Bible studies and chapel services.”
After all of this interaction with Christians, he realized the need to make a personal decision to follow Christ and took the step of commitment. His spiritual growth continued after arriving in Los Angeles, where he had a chance to spend the 2000 season and win a championship with one of the all-time Laker favorites, A.C. Green. Green was well-known for and outspoken about his faith and his commitment to sexual purity. For Fisher, it was an opportunity to learn on and off the court from a successful veteran deeply devoted to Jesus.
“It was great to have him as a teammate and as someone I could talk to about almost anything,” Fisher said. “A.C. was a great example of what it’s like to play in this league and walk with God at the same time.”
Green’s influence apparently wore off on Fisher. He went from a relatively quiet, reserved player to a team leader both professionally and spiritually. He was often the one leading prayer with teammates and opponents after games and was a regular at Lakers’ team chapel services.
“[Coach] Phil Jackson even jokes with me about it. There’s an understanding on the team that I’m different,” Fisher told Sports Spectrum magazine. “That doesn’t mean that I’m perfect or that I’m better than anyone else on the team. I know that people are watching me, and I’ve accepted the role of being a ‘spiritual leader’ on the team. I take it very seriously.”
Fans were watching too. If you looked at the crowd at any Lakers game during the past few years, you’d notice Fisher No. 2 jerseys alongside those displaying Kobe Bryant’s No. 8 or the No. 34 worn by Shaquille O’Neal. Fisher was clearly a favorite among Lakers fans.
“He’s not only a great player, but he’s also a very good guy,” said Laker fan Joe Garcia, 28, of Carson, Calif., in an interview last season. “When you go see the Lakers play, you always know that you’re going to see nothing less than a 100-percent effort from Fisher. Shaq and Kobe may get all the headlines and the spotlight outside of L.A., but [the media] seem to overlook how important Fisher is and how much he contributes to the team.”
Of course, the media was paying attention last year when Fisher nailed a unbelievable buzzer-beating shot to keep the Lakers alive during the second-round playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs.
SAME HEART, NEW CITY
Fisher’s contract expired at the end of last season. At the time of our interview, he was content trusting the Lord to direct his steps. “I love being in L.A.,” he said. “I’m not thinking about leaving, but if the Lord has different plans for me to play for another team in another city, then let His will be done.”
The offseason, however, did bring a change of teams. After exploring the free-agent market, Fisher signed a six-year contract with the Golden State Warriors. “We feel very fortunate to add a player and person the caliber of Derek Fisher to our team,” Warriors’ executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin told press following the deal. “His presence on the floor and in our locker room will be a tremendous asset.”
In keeping with his character, the value of teamwork played heavily into Fisher’s decision. “I am very passionate about what I do, so I had no interest in going to a team that could maybe just win next season and then in a year or two be broken up,” he said. “I was looking for a long-term opportunity, one I could put my stamp on as a player and as a person, on and off the court, in the community, with my teammates, with my guys.” He’s always had the heart of a warrior. Now his jersey just spells it out. 
