Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant relishing facing Derek Fisher; says point guard was an inspiration – NBA Update
The Los Angeles Lakers legendary shooting guard Kobe Bryant has lavished praise on former teammate and close friend Derek Fisher. Bryant said Fisher was an inspiration for the Lakers whilst at the franchise and also described how it would be to go up against
the veteran point guard.
Derek Fisher and Bryant came to Los Angeles together way back in the 1990s and went on to win 5 NBA World Championships together. They formed a back court tandem that was the harbinger for so many victories for the team that many have lost count.
Fisher though was getting older and slower with each passing year and the management decided that they needed to move in a new direction this season. Therefore, at the trade deadline, the veteran point guard was traded away to the Houston Rockets by Los
Angeles.
Fisher however negotiated an exit from the Rockets as he wanted to be a part of a more ambitious team. He found a new home in Oklahoma City, where the Oklahoma City Thunder welcomed the experienced campaigner with open arms; confident that his nous would
be of much use for the youngish team.
As fate would have it, the Lakers are now primed to take on Fisher and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, guaranteeing a thrilling matchup, but also one that would carry an emotional subplot.
Bryant, who knows what Derek is all about, had this to say about facing him.
"It's like brothers," Bryant said of Fisher. "You compete with your brother. Somebody has got to win, you rather it be you. Somebody has got to have bragging rights in the summer time.”
He went on to say that Fisher was a great leader and the Lakers always looked up to him for inspiration.
“In terms of what he brings to the team, his experience, his leadership. I don't really know what their locker room dynamics are over there but with us, he was a true inspiration for the entire ballclub."
It is to be seen how much Fisher would harm his former club when he puts on an OKC jersey against them in the second round.
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