Derek Fisher was an integral part of the Lakers’ past five NBA championships and was no doubt one of the most beloved players on the team.
Fisher was revered for his character on and off the court, but most importantly, for his clutch shots. The Lakers always relied on Fisher to score points when the game was on the line and he capitalized on the opportunity at every level of the game.
He has had made a career of big buckets and here is a look back at the Top 5 Clutch Derek Fisher Plays.
5- Derek Fisher Game Winning Shot Versus Mavericks, 2012
In his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher came up big when the team faced off with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs knocked out Fisher and the Lakers in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, so taking home a victory at Staples was a must for Los Angeles.
The game was a low scoring affair and it was frankly sub-par basketball. However, the match came down to the wire and the Lakers were knotted up at 70 with the Mavs with a few seconds left to play. Once again, Kobe Bryant dished the ball to his wing-man and the rest was history. If Fisher does not return to the Lakers, this can be considered his last game-winning shot for the team.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLlBQAJqnA8
Next Page: Number Four
4- Derek Fisher Finishes off the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the 2010 NBA Finals
Derek Fisher and the Lakers were tied one game apiece with the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals and the next three games were to be held on the road. The Lakers had not won a Finals game at Boston for quite some time, so the odds were already against them.
The game remained fairly close throughout and the Lakers were barely holding on to their lead. Los Angeles held a four-point lead in final minute of the game, and this time Derek Fisher was the one who put the Celtics away. The captain drove to the basket and scored over three Celtics defenders. Fisher completed the three-point play from the free-throw line and gave the Lakers a 2-1 series lead.
The play can be seen from the 3:40-3:54 mark of the video.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UePN_c6Seck
Next Page: Number 3
3- Fisher Comes up Big For Lakers in Game 7 of 2010 NBA Finals
Derek Fisher played his first ever Game 7 in the NBA Finals in 2010, but the pressure of the match did not get to him. Fisher helped the Lakers erase a 13 point lead and his three near the mid-way point of the fourth tied the game at 64. The Celtics were in control for the majority of the game, but the Lakers made a great surge and eventually won the NBA championship.
The team needed a big shot to tie the game, and once again they relied on the veteran.
The play can be seen from the 1:53-2:07 mark of the video.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfaxusuEIcI
Next Page: Number Two
2- Derek Fisher’s .4 Shot Versus the Spurs
Derek Fisher pulled off one of the most incredible shot in NBA history as he beat the buzzer with only 0.4 seconds left to play. The Lakers were facing a one-point deficit to the San Antonio Spurs, and it looked like the Spurs would be going on to take a 3-2 series lead.
Los Angeles’ chances of winning the game were close to zero, but Fisher somehow ended up catching the ball and putting it into the net. The Lakers finished the series off, but eventually lost to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RodiAAns6Jk
Next: Number One
1- Derek Fisher Carries Lakers in Game 4 of 2009 NBA Finals
The Los Angeles Lakers held a 2-1 series lead over the Orlando Magic on the 2009 NBA Finals, but it seemed like the Magic would rally and tie the series up. The Magic held a lead in the final minutes of the game and all they had to do was make free-throws and turn the Finals in a competitive match-up.
Things were not looking good for the Lakers late and even Kobe Bryant was having trouble bringing the team back. However, just like before, the Lakers put the ball in Fisher’s hands and he delivered.
The Lakers faced a three-point deficit in the final seconds of the game, but Fisher pulled up from deep and hit the shot to force overtime. In the extra session, Fisher once again hit a big three and this time it gave the Lakers a lead and in the process wrapped up the victory.
Unlike the .4 shot against the Spurs or the Game 7 three-pointer, this set of clutch plays won the Lakers the game in the biggest stage of the league and gave them a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
The shot against the Spurs was in the second round in the same year the Lakers lost in the 2004 Finals. And although his performance against the Magic did not come with the pressures of a Game 7, he hit these two threes in the final seconds of the game, not at the six-minute mark.
There is not doubt the .4 shot is more famous and required a greater level of difficulty, but nothing compares to the pressure that comes during the final seconds in an NBA Finals game.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4VtUlez2Gc