Derek Fisher

At 50 years old, Derek Fisher has this physical status:

Derek Lamar Fisher (born August 9, 1974) is an American basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Fisher played professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 18 seasons, spending the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won five NBA championships.

He also played for the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Dallas Mavericks.

He has also served as president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). Fisher played college basketball for the Arkansas–Little Rock Trojans, earning the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in 1996.

Selected by the Lakers with the 24th pick in the 1996 NBA draft, he spent his first eight seasons with the franchise, winning three consecutive league championships (2000–2002) with teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal and coach Phil Jackson.

After the 2003–04 NBA season, he signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors, later being traded to the Utah Jazz, whom he helped lead to the Western Conference finals.

Due to his daughter's health, he asked to be released from his contract in 2007.

He rejoined the Lakers and won two more NBA titles with Bryant and Jackson. In 2012, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he bought out his contract and was waived at his request.

He then joined the Oklahoma City Thunder for the remainder of the season, playing for the 2012 NBA championship in his eighth Finals appearance.

After signing with the 2012–13 Dallas Mavericks he played only nine games before being injured and asking to be released from his contract.

He later rejoined the Oklahoma City Thunder for another late season push.

He re-signed with them in the off-season and played in a team-high 81 regular-season games for the team in 2013–14.

The following season, he was hired as the head coach of the New York Knicks by Jackson, who had become the team's president.

He was fired in 2016, and has since been featured as a broadcast television analyst on Turner Sports' NBA programming.

Fisher also joined Spectrum SportsNet for the 2016-17 NBA season to work as an in-studio analyst for the Los Angeles Lakers.

On January 19, 2017, Fisher was announced as one of the analysts for Turner Sports' new Players Only programming slate.Fisher is the all-time NBA record holder in playoff games played.

While playing for the Lakers, he hit a buzzer beater with 0.4 second left in game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs, which the NBA lists as the 18th-greatest playoff moment of all time.

Early life and college

Derek Fisher was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School in Little Rock, where he was a letterman in basketball.

He went on to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) for four years, with a major in communications. Fisher concluded his collegiate career at Arkansas-Little Rock second on the school's all-time lists in points (1,393), assists (472), and steals (189). He averaged 12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists over 112 games and led the team in assists and steals every year. Fisher also set a school record for free throws made in a career (399) and ranked third among all-time UALR leaders in three-point field goals made (125). As a senior, he earned Sunbelt Conference Player of the Year honors after averaging 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

In 2005, Fisher pledged $700,000 to UALR towards the construction of its Jack Stephens Center auxiliary gym, since named in his honor, and the establishment of the Fisher Fellows Life Skills program, a mentoring series for UALR student-athletes.

Personal life

Fisher is the younger brother of former NBA player Duane Washington, who is ten years Fisher's senior. Fisher is a Christian who has spoken about his faith and the ability he believes it gives him to play basketball. Fisher's nickname is D-Fish.

He married his wife, Candace, on February 19, 2005, and has four children: Tatum and Drew (twins), Marshall and Chloe. On March 18, 2015, Fisher filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences; the divorce was finalized in May 2016.

In 2009, Fisher had a temporary restraining order placed on a 40-year-old female stalker who had been victimizing him since 2001. She had insisted she and Fisher were married, and had even changed her surname to match his. He had the order extended by three years, expiring in May 2012.

Fisher competed on season 25 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with professional dancer Sharna Burgess. They were the third couple to be eliminated.

In October 2015, Fisher was involved in a physical altercation with former teammate Matt Barnes at a party in the home of Barnes' ex-wife, Gloria Govan. Fisher and Govan became engaged in April 2018 and they married on July 17, 2021 at Cielo Farms in Malibu, California.

Fisher was arrested on suspicion of DUI on June 4, 2017, after a car crash in Los Angeles in which his vehicle overturned. Govan, who was a passenger, was uninjured. He later pleaded no contest in the case.

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Professional career

Fisher was drafted 24th overall in the 1996 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and spent his first eight seasons with them. In this draft, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired rookie Kobe Bryant, and the two rookies became lifelong friends. Derek was his favorite teammate he had ever played with, according to Kobe.

Fisher made his NBA debut against the Phoenix Suns early in the season, tallying 12 points and five assists. Fisher played in 80 games during his rookie season, averaging 3.9 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 rebounds. During the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, he was selected to the Schick Rookie Game, totaling 16 points and six assists. Fisher appeared in 36 of 82 games in 1997–98, as back up Nick Van Exel. As the Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the Utah Jazz in four games, he appeared in all 13 games and averaged 6 points per game. Fisher appeared in all 50 games and began in 1999, mainly as a back-up for veteran Derek Harper. Fisher will get off to a new season in all of the Lakers' playoff games, with averages of 9.8 points and 4.9 assists per game.

Phil Jackson was the Lakers' head coach prior to the 1999-2000 season, and he brought veteran point guard Ron Harper, who had played for three of Jackson's Chicago Bulls championship teams. Big guards were traditionally preferred by Jackson. Fisher, who was smaller and less mobile than a traditional point guard and not being a firearms expert, worked hard on his shooting during the offseason to improve his value to the new coach. He appeared in 22 of the season's 78 games, backing up both Harper and Kobe Bryant who were injured. Fisher's first Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals and defeated the Indiana Pacers in 6 games to win the 2000 NBA championship.

Fisher missed the first 62 games of the 2000–01 season due to a stress fracture in his right foot. The Lakers were not winning as often as they had in the previous season, causing teammates Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal to rekindle their rivalry over the team's offense. Bill Bertka, the team's assistant coach, believed that the team's defense without Fisher was a key factor in the team's demises. Fisher returned on March 13, 2001, bolstering the Lakers' defense, and starting the season's final 20 games, averaging 11.5 points per game. Harper had been the regular starter, but he was forced to miss February 13 due to knee injury. The Lakers ended with 56 wins in the regular season after an eight-game winning streak. Fisher started all of the Lakers' 16 playoff games, averaging 13.4 points per game and shooting a team-best 51% from beyond the three-point line. In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs scored career-high 28 points on 6 for 7 three-point shooting. The Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in 5 games, boosted by Fisher's 18 points on 6 of 8 shooting from three-point range in game 5 to help clinch the Lakers' second straight title.

Fisher was forced to start in 35 of 70 games in the 2001–2002 season, but he went on to shoot over 40% from three-point range for the season. As the Lakers advanced to the finals after a tumultuous 7 games series against the Sacramento Kings, Fisher played all 19 playoff games, average 10.2 points per game. They won their third straight title in the finals over the New Jersey Nets.

Fisher had established himself as the Lakers' primary point guard by the 2002-2003 season, appearing in all 82 games. But the team was disqualified in the Western Conference Semifinals by the eventual champion Spurs in the spring, and the squad was later strengthened by the acquisition of veteran point guard Gary Payton in the summer. As a result, Fisher was moved from the bench for the 2003–04 season. He was a member of the Los Angeles team that defeated the Shooting Stars Competition during NBA All-Star Weekend.

In Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals between the Lakers and the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, one of Fisher's finest playoff performances came on May 13, 2004. Game 5 was a close contest, with both teams tied at 2 games apiece. Kobe Bryant had a jump shot to put the Lakers up 72-71 with 11 seconds remaining. Tim Duncan led the Spurs to a 73-72 advantage after making a fadeaway 18-footer over Shaquille O'Neal with 0.4 seconds on the clock.

Three times out were called, the first by the Lakers, the second by San Antonio, to set up the defense, and the last by the Lakers to re-set up the offense. Gary Payton bounded the ball to Fisher, who was able to capture, turn, and shoot the game-winning basket in 0.4 seconds as the game resumed. Fisher sprinted off the courthouse as he later admitted that he was not sure he beat the buzzer and wanted to leave before the performance could be evaluated. The Spurs immediately filed a lawsuit about the ball, but the referees discovered that the ball had left Fisher's hands before the clock expired, after watching a video demonstration of the play. The Lakers won the game by a score of 74–73 after the "0.4" shot counted in.

In Game 6, the Lakers beat the Spurs out of Game 6. They then went on to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves to clinch the Western Conference championship, but the Detroit Pistons were unable to advance to the NBA Finals.

Fisher signed a six-year, $37 million contract with the Golden State Warriors on July 15, 2004. Fisher's two-season contract with Golden State was a disappointment. Fisher, who was a reliable spot-up shooter, had limited openings without a main star such as Bryant or O'Neal to command a double-team. The team as a whole continued to fail and languished near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Baron Davis, the team's current point guard, appeared in more games than Fisher in the 2004-05 season, and then Baron Davis, the newest addition to the team, was a starter the following season. Despite this, Fisher averaged 13.3 points a game in 2005-06 season, his highest season scoring average of his career.

On July 12, 2006, the Utah Jazz signed Keith McLeod, Andre Owens, and Devin Brown to the Golden State Warriors, a transfer that brought them Keith McLeod, Andre Owens, and Devin Brown. He played in all 82 games of the 2006–07 season, averaging 10.1 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.01 steals, while scoring in double figures 40 times during the 2006–07 season.

Fisher was elected President of the National Basketball Players Association in November 2006, succeeding Antonio Davis. Fisher had served as vice president for a brief period of time. Since July 1, 2008, he has been the color commentator for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

Fisher said one of his four children was ill several days before the Western Conference Semifinals between the Jazz and the Golden State Warriors began, but not to say that he wanted to be with his family and his playing status was uncertain.

Fisher had asked head coach Jerry Sloan to be off the active list for Game 2, but he could not promise he would make it in time to play. But with permission from their doctors, he and his family departed New York after his daughter's surgery and landed in Salt Lake City with the game in progress. Fisher discovered that starting point guard Deron Williams was in foul trouble and backup Dee Brown had been injured when they landed, and backup Dee Brown was injured. Andrei Kirilenko had been using him as a point guard, but the Jazz had been desperate for Fisher. Fisher arrived at the arena dressed up, and was greeted with a standing ovation as he went to the floor. Fisher was not allowed to sit down, and he was kept in the game in the third quarter. Fisher made a crucial defensive stop on Baron Davis, who led to the game's overtime tie. The Jazz held a three-point lead until Deron Williams discovered an open Fisher for a three-pointer that sealed the victory in the closing minutes. A tearful Fisher was interviewed after the game, where he revealed the situation surrounding his then-11-month-old daughter, Tatum. She had been diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a degenerative and rare form of eye cancer, which needed an emergency three-hour surgery and chemotherapy at a New York hospital.

The Jazz eventually defeated the Warriors in four games to 1, but in five games, they lost to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. The dramatic Game 2 entrance and results against the Warriors was nominated for Best Moment in the 2007 ESPY Awards.

Fisher begged the Jazz to release him from his employment so he could relocate to a franchise and city with the "right combination" of specialists that may be able to assist with his daughter's retinoblastoma. The Jazz Honored his request.

Fisher officially rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers on July 19, 2007, after much rumors, by signing a three-year deal worth nearly $14 million. In his previous employment with the Jazz, he had earned about $8 million over three years. Larry Miller said that Fisher's "looks funny" that he signed with the Lakers, but he did not expect Fisher or Lakers owner Jerry Buss to do anything underhanded. Jazz fans have mocked him, alleging that he simply wanted to return to the Lakers.

Fisher returned to action as the Lakers' starting point guard when the 2007–08 season began. He had a good year, shooting 40% from the three-point range and 88% from the free-throw line, his highest percentage of his career. In Game 4 of the Lakers-Spurs Western Conference Finals, he made a controversial defensive play, causing Barry to miss a potential game-winning shot. The Spurs were eventually defeated 4–1, but the Lakers were unable to advance to Boston in the NBA Finals.

Fisher received skepticism about his age and ineffective defensive results against younger, faster opposing point guards during the 2009 NBA playoffs. However, Fisher helped the Lakers win Game 4 against the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals by beating Jameer Nelson with 4.6 seconds remaining to force overtime, with a tie-breaking three-pointer in overtime to help bring the Lakers to a 3–1 series lead and shortly after, the franchise's 15th NBA title will be released. "You'll now be seeing him forever," Los Angeles Times founder Bill Plaschke said of these shots, "after the Lakers' 99-91 overtime win over the Orlando Magic in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, you'll now be able to see him forever." Fisher's 11.0 points per game, 50% shooting average, and a 54 percent three-point lead over the Finals were all an improvement over his regular-season results and a departure from his post-season struggles to that point. In the three previous playoff series, he had shot 23.5% from behind the three-point line and 35.6% from the field. This was Fisher's fourth NBA championship.

Fisher published a book entitled Character Driven: Life, Lessons, and Basketball on September 8, 2009. Gary Brozek contributed to the book and is credited as the author of the novel. Fisher made the 1,000th 3-pointer of his career against the Charlotte Bobcats on February 3, 2010. Fisher played his 1,000th game against his former team, the Utah Jazz, on February 10, 2010, defeating Kobe Bryant by a single game. Fisher reached the Grizzlies for the 9,000th time in his NBA career on February 23, 2010.

Fisher was a pivotal role in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on June 8, 2010. He scored 11 of his 16 points, including a 3-point-play lay-up that helped the Lakers win by 91–84 on the road in the fourth quarter. The Lakers fell all the way back from a 13-point third-quarter deficit to tie the game with 6:11 remaining in Game 7. Fisher went on to win his fifth NBA title after the Lakers defeated the Celtics 83–79.

Fisher, who earned his fifth championship title, has been a free agent for a number of franchises, including the Miami Heat, since winning. However, he signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with a player option in the third year to stay with the Lakers on July 12, 2010. Although Fisher found that their employment rate was not the most lucrative, it was still the most "cost-effective" option.

Jordan Hill, a second-round draft pick, was traded to the Houston Rockets on March 15, 2012. The Lakers had decided to go younger by purchasing point guard Ramon Sessions earlier in the day. After he negotiated a contract buyout, the Rockets suspended him without ever playing for them on March 19. After clearing waivers, he was ready to play for any team but the Lakers.

Fisher signed the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2011-12 season on March 21, 2012, after clearing the waivers at 6 p.m. Eastern time. The Thunder organization called a pre-game press conference prior to its 7 p.m. game to officially announce the signing. He opted for jersey number 37 because of his age at the time, rather than the No. 6 from the ordinary. Thabo Sefolosha took 2 babies. He made his Los Angeles Clippers debut on Sunday and scored 5 points on his first appearance. In the Western Conference finals, the Thunder defeated the Spurs in the Western Conference finals and advanced to the 2012 NBA Finals, Fisher's eighth appearance there. In 5 games to the Miami Heat, the Thunder will continue to lose the series in five games.

Fisher signed with the Dallas Mavericks on November 29, 2012. Since a finger injury sidelined struggling starter Darren Collison, the team was in need of a point guard. He wore No. As his usual No. 6, he's hoping for his sixth title. 2 — the last time Jason Kidd was seen in Dallas — was out of stock. In a 92–77 victory over Detroit, Fisher played in his first game with the Mavericks and Collison came off the bench.

Fisher suffered the patellar tendon of his right knee on December 20, requiring a two-week recovery time. The Mavericks were allowed to be released two days later. The move was prompted by his illness and a desire to be close to his family, according to him. The team lost 5–4 in nine games with Dallas, with Alex scoring 8.6 points and 3.6 assists in just over 25 minutes per game.

Fisher re-signed with Oklahoma City for the remainder of the 2012–13 season on February 25, 2013. Since Eric Maynor was traded, he filled the Thunder's opening for a third point guard. Fisher reflected on his work and decided to pursue the opportunity with the Thunder after being banned from basketball. Before signing with the championship candidates, he did not contact Dallas, which angered Mavericks officials. Fisher opted for No. 2 instead of No. 1. After wearing No. 6, I was 6 in Oklahoma City. In the previous season, the Washington Capital had a 37-37.

Fisher re-signed with the Thunder in 2013-2014, on July 24, 2013. He appeared in 81 regular-season games and all 19 playoff games, helping the team advance to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in six games.

Coaching career

Fisher was hired by the New York Knicks as the team's head coach on June 10, 2014, under a five-year, $25 million contract. Fisher said his friendship with Jackson, who had been named president of the Knicks, was a major factor in his decision to join the team. Fisher wanted the Knicks to play the triangle offense, something he learned while with the Lakers under Jackson. During the offseason, he helped the Knicks re-recruit and re-sign free agent Carmelo Anthony, who Fisher believed could be able to adapt to the new offense. Fisher made his coaching debut on October 29, where the team lost their 2014-2015 season opener to the Chicago Bulls 104–80. After the Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 95-90 on October 30, Fisher won his first game as a head coach. The Knicks ended the season with a 17–65 record, the lowest in franchise history.

With a 22-22 record, New York began 2015–16 as a playoff contenders. Kristaps Porzis, a first-round draft pick, Bolstered. Fisher was fired on February 8, 2016, after the Knicks lost nine of their next ten and dropped to a 23–31 record. He played for the Knicks for one and a half seasons. (.294)

Fisher was named head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA on December 5, 2018. On June 1, 2019, the team won their first victory of the 2019 season, beating the Connecticut Sun 77–70, giving Fisher his first victory as a head coach in the WNBA. Fisher was the ninth WNBA head coach to win 20 games as a first-year head coach in WNBA's first year as a head coach, winning the Atlanta Dreams 70–60. Under Fisher's first season as the third seed in the WNBA playoffs.

The team will advance to the WNBA semi-finals after defeating the Storm 92-69 in a single-elimination game under playoff conditions. Fisher came up with a tactic that SB Nation called bizarre, benching his three starting players, Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Chelsea Gray for the fourth quarter, after which the Sparks were stalemate, after which the Sparks were shut down.

Fisher led the team to a 15–7 record in 22 games in a shortened WNBA season, making the WNBA playoffs as the third seed in his second season with the Sparks. In a single-elimination game against the Connecticut Sun, the team will skip the first round and face the Sun, but the sparks will be cut off, losing 73–59.

34 pick: Aina Ayuso (G, Spain)

The Sparks and Fisher split as head coach and general manager on June 7, 2022, after the Sparks started the year off 5–7 after bringing in Liz Cambage. During his Sparks tenure, Fisher went 54-46 as head coach. In the playoffs, he was 1–4 on points.

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