As I’m sure everybody heard, former Laker and 5-time NBA champion Derek Fisher returned to the Oklahoma City Thunder this week, as he’s hoping to get another chance at that elusive sixth championship. Fisher, who was traded away from the Lakers to the Houston Rockets on last season’s trade deadline, was quickly bought out by Houston and joined the Thunder.
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Fisher helped provide a veteran presence in the locker room for the Thunder, and was a part of the team that lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
With the news that Fisher is returning again, it seems that his longtime teammate Kobe Bryant isn’t entirely thrilled with the prospect of Fisher playing for anybody else, especially one of the Lakers’ biggest rivals in the Western Conference. When asked at Laker practice whether or not Bryant was surprised Fisher rejoined the Thunder, he admitted he wasn’t surprised, but that he wasn’t exactly excited about it, either.
“I’m not happy about it, but he’s been staying in shape the whole time. It was a tough year for him last year with all that (expletive) going on with the lockout.”
Kobe is referring to Fisher’s role as President of the NBA Player’s Association, which forced him front and center during the negotiations between the players and the league during last year’s five-plus month lockout.
But despite all this, Bryant still believes Fisher can have a positive influence on the Thunder.
He’s ready to go. I’m sure he’ll make a big contribution.”
The Thunder are currently 41-15, which is second place in the Western Conference, and 14 games ahead of Bryant’s Lakers.
The two teams will square off next Tuesday, March 5th, in Oklahoma City.
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VIDEO: Kobe Bryant talks about Derek Fisher’s return
