Derek Fisher
Song: Heart of the City
Lyrical Message:
“Can I live? I told you in ninety-six/That I came to take this sh*t, and I did handle my biz/I scramble like Randall with his/Cuuning-ham but the only thing running is numbers fam/Jigga held you down six summers, damn, where’s the love?”
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9XZds9hmXI
Aside from pretty much being the coolest lyric ever, this rant by Jay-Z typifies what it’s like to be Derek Fisher in Los Angeles. He came to us as an unheralded rookie in 1996 and quickly formed an unbreakable bond with a 17-year-old rookie named after a steak. He quietly went about his business, knocking down 3-point shots (no one in Lakers history has hit more) and playing tough defense year after year.
When he left the Lakers for greener pastures in 2004, the Lakers weren’t the same. During the 3 seasons he spent away, the Lakers won a total of 4 playoff games and failed to get past the first round. Since he’s returned, they have won 30 playoff games and advanced to the NBA Finals twice. His clutch shooting in the 2009 Finals directly led to the decisive Game 4 victory in Orlando. He has hit countless momentum changing shots over the years and always seems to play his best when the spotlight is shining brightest. He is a mini-Robert Horry, and will go down as one of the most accomplished players in Lakers history.
So as he’s struggled his way through the 2010 season, you’d think he’d be cut a little slack right? Not a chance. Instead, Lakers fans and local media have been quick to point out his deficiencies and label him “washed up”. Where’s the love? How quickly people forget that Fisher is clearly the heart of this Lakers team, and if I were a betting man I’d put money on the fact that he still has something left in the tank. If LA is a Lakers town, then Derek Fisher is clearly the Heart of the City.
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