Darren Collison: NBA Point Guards who can succeed Derek Fisher at the Los Angeles Lakers (Part-1)
The Los Angeles Lakers experienced a dramatic crash down against eventual NBA Champions Dallas Mavericks when the two teams came face to face during the Western Conference semi-finals.
The Lakers entered the play-offs carrying the tag of the two-time defending Champions and were gunning for a three-peat. However, the Mavericks had other ideas. In search of their first ever NBA title, Dallas Mavericks, a team comprising of spirited veterans shrugged off every challenge that the Lakers came up with and swept them 4-0.
The super efforts that were triggered by the Mavericks’ players not only forced knocked the Lakers out of the title race; it also brought the celebrated career of Phil Jackson to a rather abrupt end. From there on, the Lakers embarked on the path of scrutiny while Dallas went on to get their hands on the holy grail of NBA.
The post season meltdown gave the Lakers a rude awakening and all of a sudden the Lakers were no longer deemed as force.
One of the biggest concerns that emerged for the Lakers in the playoffs was their weakness at the point guard position. Derek Fisher weaknesses were brutally exposed by Jason Kidd and Jose Barea in the series and it has now become paramount that Lakers should shop for an athletic and versatile point guard in place of Derek Fisher who can carry the momentum for the team.
There is no doubt that Fisher is a great player and he has been running the show impressively throughout his illustrious career. However, with the aging body, Derek’s performance has slowed down considerably. His last season with the Lakers, during which he averaged only 6.8 points and 2.7 assists per game, is an indication of his slipping performance.
Seven-time NBA Champions and former Lakers’ superstar Robert Horry recently stressed that if the Lakers have to get back on the track, they will have to let go of the Lakers.
"I think they need another good point guard. No disrespect to Derek Fisher. But Derek is long in the tooth. I've been there, done that. I understand that. They need to get a point guard who can distribute the ball, get people in order and not be afraid to tell Kobe [Bryant], ‘no’.” Horry said.
Derek has been a corner stone for Lakers in the last decade, however it’s about time the franchise starts a new chapter at the point guard position. Here are some names that can be brought in as a replacement for the 36 year old Fisher.
Darren Collison of Indiana Pacers
The young and versatile point guard Darren Collison of Indiana Pacers can be an outstanding successor to the 36-year-old Fisher. Collison is extremely athletic on the floor and likes to play on both the ends with a fast pace which is the need of the position. The Lakers have struggled big time against the agile players in the recent years and with Collison, they can cover that base. Darren’s option will not only fill the gap at the point guard position, it will also go a long way to alleviate some scoring pressure from Kobe Bryant. Moreover, the induction will be a major step in the rebuilding process at the franchise.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article and the ratings assigned are the writer’s own personal views and has nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
Tags: