May 10, 2007

Fisher returns, lifts Jazz in OT : The Utah Jazz's unlikely hero Wednesday night, Derek Fisher, gave an explanation about his sick daughter after his team's 127-117 NBA playoff victory against the Golden State Warriors. After the game, he told how serious 10-month-old Tatum's condition was. She has retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer that required a three-hour combination of surgery and chemotherapy at New York's Presbyterian Hospital.

read story | posted by BornIcon to Basketball at 5:16 AM CDT (23 comments total)

While i'm saddened by what his poor daughter and family had to go through, and still is, i respect fisher greatly for putting 1st things 1st. Some things are more important than winning, and that is definitely one of them.

Good stuff.

posted by brainofdtrain at 7:59 AM CDT on May 10

Great game. What an emotional rollercoaster of a day that was for Fish. Glad to hear his little girl is doing okay. That was Willis Reed-stuff when he walked in the arena and went straight into the game. The Jazz probably lose without him there.

posted by eccsport78 at 9:04 AM CDT on May 10

As a Laker fan, I had to pleasure of watching D-Fish play for my team for a few years. He was definately an important piece of our latest championship teams. He has always been a great defender and toward the end of his career in L.A., he became a pretty good shooter as well. I have always had a lot of respect for D-Fish and I wish him and his family all the best.

D-Fish aka Mr. .06 seconds...

posted by yay-yo at 9:07 AM CDT on May 10

Overall, the game was secondary. Great human drama. I hope his daughter recovers and lives a full, healthy life.

posted by BornIcon at 9:09 AM CDT on May 10

not to nit-pick, yay-yo, but as a spurs fan i remember vividly that it was .4, not .6 seconds, lol.

seriously, though, i pray that his daughter makes a full recovery.

posted by ksb122 at 11:48 AM CDT on May 10

not to nit-pick, yay-yo, but as a spurs fan i remember vividly that it was .4, not .6 seconds, lol.

You got me. It's been a tough few years since that time...

posted by yay-yo at 12:42 PM CDT on May 10

Derek Fisher had a lot of class when he played with the Lakers and cream always rises to the top, he showed nothing but class last night and his standing ovation from the crowd really showed that. He is a winner not matter what happens from here in the playoffs..His daughers' condition is the most important thing is his life. First things first. Hopefully a complete ad full recovery for Tatum and good luck in the playoffs......Derek showed last night that he is a father first and a player second..The lakers lost someone special when they didn't resign him and that showed yesterday...

posted by The Old Man at 12:47 PM CDT on May 10

The lakers lost someone special when they didn't resign him and that showed yesterday...

You got that right, it's called veteran leadership with heart & desire to play the game.

posted by BornIcon at 1:33 PM CDT on May 10

You got that right, it's called veteran leadership with heart & desire to play the game.

Or, you could call it a point guard who can actually compete in the NBA...

posted by yay-yo at 2:09 PM CDT on May 10

Bit of trivia for the uninitiated...Derek Fisher is the only player in the NBA drafted from a non-D-I school (discounting foreign and high school players).

I loved his entrance into the game, like straight out of the WWE.

posted by charlatan at 2:33 PM CDT on May 10

Bit of trivia for the uninitiated...Derek Fisher is the only player in the NBA drafted from a non-D-I school (discounting foreign and high school players).

I think Devean George was also drafted from D-III, after he led the nation in scoring. I might be wrong though, if he was never drafted and joined the Lakers as a free agent.

posted by yay-yo at 2:45 PM CDT on May 10

Ok guys, first player drafted from high school to really make a dent in the NBA. And todate who has had the greatest impact coming out of high school.

posted by The Old Man at 3:18 PM CDT on May 10

Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers

posted by BornIcon at 3:41 PM CDT on May 10

And todate who has had the greatest impact coming out of high school.

Hard to answer that until we can get retrospective analysis in the future on KG and Kobe's current impact.

posted by charlatan at 4:05 PM CDT on May 10

To date, I'd say KG had the most impact. He started a flood of high school players jumping to the league. Moses might have been the first, but if memory serves me, KG started the youth movement that eventually led the league to change its rules. That's some impact.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 4:15 PM CDT on May 10

KG started the youth movement that eventually led the league to change its rules. That's some impact

True... and very good points but not the impact that Moses had. Moses Malone was the numero uno of high schoolers going straight to the NBA....well, the ABA's Utah Stars in 1974.

He also was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1979, 1982 and 1983; an All-NBA First Team selection in 1979, 1982, 1983 and 1985; a six-time All-NBA Second Team choice; a six-time NBA rebounding champ; a 12-time NBA All-Star from 1978 through 1989; winner of an NBA Championship in 1983; NBA Finals MVP in 1983; an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection in 1983; an NBA All-Defensive Second Team pick in 1979; an ABA All-Rookie Team selection in 1975; and an ABA All-Star in 1976.

This guy was a straight beast even though he was only 6'10" and just attacked the boards like it owed him money. The Big Ticket's great but Moses led the way. That's impact.

My apologies for going off topic.

posted by BornIcon at 4:44 PM CDT on May 10

Derek Fisher is an amazing individual. I am proud to say that he is from Arkansas, and I wish he and his family the best. It was touching to see him and everyone on the court acknowledge his situation, especially when Ronnie B hugged him after the game (also an Arkansan). His return certainly boosted an outstanding Utah team into victory. I am convinced that Utah is a contender, even at its young age.

D-Fish is the man.

posted by Snikastyle at 5:08 PM CDT on May 10

There's also a pretty good player on the Lakers who came directly out of high school and has won 3 championships, numerous 1st-team all NBA selections, and numerous 1st team all-NBA defense selections, 2? scoring titles etc... But I won't mention any names in an attempt to avoid crucifiction.

posted by yay-yo at 7:14 PM CDT on May 10

Yeah we know, the greatest player on the planet.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 7:22 PM CDT on May 10

Andrew Bynum? I'm just guessing.

posted by tommytrump at 7:51 PM CDT on May 10

Andrew Bynum? I'm just guessing.

Do you never read any of the articles? It seems you just read the posts and comment on those instead. I'm just guessing.

posted by yay-yo at 8:13 PM CDT on May 10

Andrew Bynum? I'm just guessing.

Do you never read any of the articles? It seems you just read the posts and comment on those instead. I'm just guessing.

I always read the article before posting, unless I have to register for something, in which case I simply don't reply to those FPP's. I was just attempting to guess who the player on the Lakers might be that has come straight out of high school and has had all that success that you gushed about.

Now, on topic, Derek Fisher certainly has his priorities straight. Family is more important than any job. He went above and beyond just by getting to the game. The 5 points, 3 assists, and the rebound he provided were gravy. His daughter Tatum will be in my prayers tonight.

posted by tommytrump at 8:35 PM CDT on May 10

sar·casm
[sahr-kaz-uhm]
1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 6:18 AM CDT on May 11

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