Derek Fisher got a standing ovation. Basically a 45-second hug from the 18,000-plus fans.
Griffin may be from here, having grown up in Oklahoma City, but Fisher plays here now. Big difference.
The
Thunder signed the 37-year-old point guard on Wednesday, and while he
was immediately embraced in a reaction he described as “humbling,” it
remains to be seen if Fisher and Oklahoma City can help each other in
their championship quest.
Fisher, teammates and Thunder brass all
said the right things about the 16-year veteran, who was traded from the
Lakers to Houston last week and then bought out by the Rockets.
“It’s
not often an opportunity like this comes about,” Thunder general
manager Sam Presti said. “We like what we have. We felt like the next
evolution is to improve in the finer points of the game. He (Fisher) has
an understanding of that. We’re hopeful he’ll enhance what we’re doing.
We’re excited to have him.”
Excited because Fisher can provide a
calming effect as a backup point guard — a position at which the Thunder
are iffy, due to Eric Maynor’s season-ending injury. But really,
bringing in Fisher is about the Thunder feeling better about their
championship prospects. After all, Fisher is a five-time NBA champ and a
peacemaker of the highest order. He mediated during years of verbal
sparring between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant and was on center
stage during the lockout as the president of the players association.
Essentially,
the Thunder have bought some peace of mind without having to sacrifice
anything for it. Fisher is a free agent after this season, so if it
doesn’t work out, the Thunder aren’t stuck with him.
“He’s an
important piece to our team,” coach Scott Brooks said of Fisher, who
started 43 games for the Lakers this season, averaging more than 25
minutes and 5.9 points, his lowest number since the 1998-99 season when
he was 24.
“We have a good team and he’ll add to that. He’s
going to add to what we do. We’re excited. I’m excited. The team is. I’m
sure he is, too. He’ll back up Russell (Westbrook) and have an
opportunity to play with Russell. He understands team and roles.”
What
happened Wednesday was likely a good picture of what you’ll see the
rest of the season. Fisher had five points in 19 minutes, spelling
Westbrook in a 114-91 win over the Clippers. He came in for the first
time with 1:42 left in the first quarter and immediately passed to Kevin
Durant.
“Tomorrow we’re going to explain to him a little more of
what we do,” Brooks said. “We have a team full of winners and he adds to
what we’re building.”
But what also happened Wednesday was Fisher
swallowed the minutes recently given to young guards Reggie Jackson and
Royal Ivey. Neither saw the floor until late in the fourth quarter when
the game was decided. For now that’s not an issue, as all parties
involved are saying that acquiring Fisher is a good move. But it does
seem to curb the recent enthusiasm over Jackson.
“I don’t know how
it will work with minutes,” said Jackson, a rookie averaging 3.5 points
in 12 minutes. “It’s not my job. I’m not concerned. He’s a five-time
champ, and you don’t find too many of those around the league. There’s a
lot to learn from him.”
“I’m looking to be as helpful as I can,”
Fisher said, immediately shifting into neutral. “I’m not looking to take
anything away from anyone. I’m here to only add and support and
assist.”
So is the move tinkering or terrific? Probably somewhere
in between, as Fisher will bring more legitimacy to the Thunder without
any worries about how much he’ll contribute to a team that’s leading the
West at 35-12.
“It’s that winning attitude,” Durant said. “That
leadership quality he has. He’s played with the best: Shaq and Kobe. To
come here with a younger team and mentor some of the guys, I’m excited
he’s here.”
