Derek Fisher spent most of his off-season in a suit and tie trying to negotiate a deal for the NBPA with the league owners. He managed to help put together a deal at the last minute, which could go down as one of the best clutch performances of his career.
Still, let’s take a look back at some of the other clutch plays that Fisher has made on the court during his career.
5. Fisher Sinks Clippers
The most recent of the bunch is the only shot that was not in the playoffs, but definitely an instant classic. The Lakers were visiting the Clippers and Derek Fisher decided to shatter the idea of playing an extra five minutes at the Staples Center as the away team. D-Fish took the inbound pass and as soon as he had the ball it was apparent that he was not going to let it go, instead he drove the lane and was met by DeAndre Jordan, but he was able to get it off on time and with enough arc to bank it in for the win.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbsRLUkLMVM
Next Page: Fisher’s Magic in Orlando
4. Fisher Seals Game 4 in Orlando
At number four Derek Fisher produces in the biggest stage of them all, the NBA Finals. The game was in overtime and close until the final seconds until Derek Fisher broke the tie with a three pointer to put the Lakers ahead once and for all. Game 4 belonged to the Lakers and more importantly it gave them a commanding 3-1 series lead.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To3bnB03bL8
Next Page: Performing When It Counts
3. Fisher Sends Game 4 to OT in Orlando
How did the Lakers get into overtime in Game 4 of the NBA Finals? Well, Derek Fisher hit an initial three point shot to tie the game (see number three on the list) with only 4.6 seconds left. Fisher got the ball from Trevor Ariza at mid-court and dribbled up to the three point line and launched a three that tied the game and completely changed the momentum and eventual outcome of the game.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGDMOh8YB2U
Next Page: Unrivaled
2. Fisher Helps Lakers Claim Home Court Advantage From Celtics
Hitting big shots in the NBA Finals have become a trend for the point guard from Little Rock. What makes this shot even sweeter is that it came at the expense of the Boston Celtics. After leaving Los Angeles tied at one game apiece, the home court advantage now belonged to the Boston Celtics and Game 3 was going to be electrifying. The Lakers managed to withstand the energy and the crowd and D-Fish sealed the game with a lay-up and the foul from Kevin Garnett and Glen Davis. This was so important because it gave the Lakers home court advantage again, and a very much needed win in Boston.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH5UakRao7M&feature=related
Next: The Shot Hear ‘Round the World
1. “One Lucky Shot Deserves Another”
It should be no surprise that Derek Fisher’s top clutch shot is the 0.4 shot. One of the greatest moments in NBA history featured two amazing shots in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semi-Finals. Tim Duncan started things off with an unbelievable shot with Shaquille O’Neal in his face. That shot gave the Spurs a one-point lead with only 0.4 seconds remaining. With that little time left, it was highly unlikely that the Lakers were going to be able to score, but Derek Fisher cemented himself in NBA history by making one of the most impressive and crucial shots of all time. To get the shot off with the time is one thing, but to actually make it is just mind-boggling. The win gave the Lakers the series lead and they eventually closed out the Spurs.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-3NlzswBxs