Robert Horry tells Los Angeles Lakers to replace Derek Fisher – NBA News
Former Los Angeles Lakers legend Robert Horry has said in an interview that Derek Fisher’s time at the top is over and the team should look to replace him next season.
Horry’s comments come in the wake of increased speculation on Derek Fisher’s future, especially after the Lakers were bundled out emphatically in the Western Conference Semi-finals by eventual champions, the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks team was the most aged in the playoffs, but they played with real passion and commitment, whilst the relatively younger Lakers looked weary and disinterested at times. Derek Fisher in particular, was mercilessly exposed
by the energetic Mavs guard Jose Barea who penetrated the Lakers defence at will, and Fisher continuously struggled to keep up with him.
Horry was asked about the Los Angeles Lakers and the player specifically pointed out the need for a replacement of Fisher,
“I think they need another good point guard. No disrespect to Derek Fisher. Derek is alone. I’ve been there, done that. They need a point guard who can distribute the ball, get everyone in order and not be afraid to tell Kobe no,”
Horry said.
Robert Horry of course knows all about what it takes to win in the NBA. The now retired player has seven NBA rings to boast. He played alongside Derek Fisher in the Shaq n Kobe led three-peat Lakers side and was a part of 2 NBA
World Championship triumphs by the San Antonio Spurs. Horry also featured in the Houston Rockets’ two title successes back in 1994 and 1995, led by the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon.
Horry didn’t doubt Derek Fisher’s calibre as a player, but said that his former colleague had simply gotten too old for the job,
“You can’t outrun age. I think age has caught up to him. There’s some things he can do, but there are some things he can’t do.”
Derek Fisher has been a big part of the Los Angeles Lakers history for the past decade or so. He joined the franchise the same year that the Lakers signed Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal and has been a part of each of the 5 NBA
titles the franchise has won since.
However, the last few years it has become increasingly obvious that his legs are simply not up for the running required by an elite NBA point guard, one the Lakers will need to win another NBA World Championship next year. The
triangle offense puts very little emphasis on the point guard, and thus spared Fisher’s shortcomings from coming under the microscope, is also set to be ditched next season and that could prove a major problem for him.
The Lakers know this and have already drafted two young point guards this year. This might be a blessing in disguise for Fisher. He will be required to groom his successors and that might give him a chance to have a last shot at
glory and end his career on a high.
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