The Fisher King
Russ Bengtson digs into the archives.
by Russ Bengtson
Let me say first that I fully intended my next column on this site to be a companion piece to my Air Jordan cover story in KICKS. It had been asked of me, so it was to be done. And I got started on one, even—my top five Air Jordans of all time (it had to be something like that, seeing that I didn’t do any actual interviews and thus didn’t have any spare material). But midway through writing about the Air Jordan II, I stopped. Wait a minute, I thought. I think I’ve written this stuff before. And sure enough, I had, back when I did the I-XX1 rundown leading up to the release of the XX2. So, for now at least, excess Jordan is on hold.
In the meantime, I was digging through the deepest reaches of my hard drive this weekend, and came upon a treasure trove of old SLAM stuff—pieces that never ran (some of them for good reason—there’s a short piece I wrote on J.R. Reid that may be the worst thing ever written in the English language), full-length Q&As for stories that ended up running in Hype or In Your Face, even a full prospectus for an adidas-sponsored KICKS issue. (Yes, Kobe would have been on the cover.)
Anyway, some of the files I came across were still pretty interesting to me, so I figured I’d share. This, for example, is just two Q’s and two A’s from an interview I did with Derek Fisher in the summer following his rookie year (that would be 1997). He didn’t play a tremendous amount as a rookie (and was overshadowed by fellow ‘96er Kobe Bryant), but he’d played well in the Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend, and had definitely earned a spot in the L. I was assigned an In Your Face on him, and conducted an interview that ended up being about five times as long as the piece itself needed to be. After watching Fish play for the past 10 years, and with his return to the Lakers, I thought it would be neat to run a more complete transcript now.
Q. When did you know you’d make the NBA?
A. I guess I knew that I was gonna make it when I made a strong showing down in Phoenix at the Desert Classic. The first pre-draft camp was in Portsmouth, VA, and I played well but I got some feedback as far as people still weren’t sure whether I was a true point guard because I had to score a little more in college because of the personnel that surrounded me. You always have to adjust to what’s going on. I was in a situation, where, in order for my team to be successful I had to score, so that’s what I did. I’ll always do whatever it takes to help the team. So a lot of people weren’t sure if I was a true point guard. I wasn’t initially invited to Phoenix, and all the teams had been formed, (but) there was one team that didn’t really have a point guard, so they called me in a couple days after everybody else had been there. I missed the first few practices and practice games–I had missed all of this. The team that they put me in on had lost, like, every game. So, I come in, I want to prove that I can play, and we ended up winning all of our games until the championship game. I think a lot of people really saw how much of a positive impact I could have on the team, or on the game, playing basketball, I think, the way it’s supposed to be played. You know, pushing the ball upcourt, playing strong defense, being unselfish, getting the ball to the right people at the right time, not really worrying about scoring. The scoring’ll come when the opportunities present themselves. I’m not a guy that’ll be looked to to score a lot, unless I feel it’s necessary. But there’ll be sometimes where I’m feeling good or, well, Shaq never really struggles–averaging 25 or 30, or maybe 40, because he’s going to shoot a lot better from the free throw line this year. You know, we could look to him to score even more points. We have guys like Shaquille, Elden [Campbell], Eddie Jones, Nick [Van Exel], that can score, and Kobe can score, you know, we just had numerous amount of guys that could score last year… I wouldn’t have to score a point all year for our team to have been successful last year. I kinda let myself feel the pressure, or feel the scrutiny, as a guy not being able to score, listen to what everybody else was saying, and I started to put a little extra pressure on myself, so when I did shoot the ball I was thinking about someone who said I couldn’t shoot the ball….There are guys like Jerome Kersey, Dennis Rodman, guys that really make a commitment to becoming a role player, those are the guys that really make their team successful. That’s kinda what my role is at this point. If my role has to change for whatever reason, I can, because I have that ability…I think a lot of people appreciate the way I play this game…Like John Stockton–he does all the little things that help his team win…
Q. Was he [Stockton] one of the guys you looked up to growing up?
A. Just because he was smaller. He was always tough, and he always got the job done. Nobody ever said that John Stockton didn’t play hard and do everything he could to help his team win. I respect Hakeem Olajuwon, just for, he’s really selfless, he isn’t concerned with endorsements or his own personal achievement. Because he’s an exceptional player, he has always been a team-oriented type of guy. A real gentleman, and he seems like, a man, besides basketball. A lot of times guys in the NBA only have an identity as a basketball player, and people aren’t concerned with them as people. Hakeem really comes across as a person that plays basketball. Then, Magic…I just truly loved the way he made everyone on the court play better. I feel like I have that ability, now it’s just a matter of me waiting my turn…I’m perfectly content with the way things are, because this is only my second year…I’m not bitchin’ and moanin’ about me not playing a lot more, or stuff like that, because that takes away from what you call a team, and everybody has to make sacrifices to the team so we can reach our common goal, which is to become NBA Champions. The first step is the Pacific Division, the second step is the Western Conference, and then the NBA Championship, so in order to reach those goals, everyone has to be committed, and make sacrifices so we can reach them. I think last year, at times, we all had different agendas. Not that we played selfishly, but we didn’t make sacrifices. Sometimes, even if you’re a guy that can score, you’re going to have to make a pass to get another guy going. We all just have to take a strong look in the mirror and say, ‘this is my role, and I’m gonna do the best.’ Some guys, it’s their job to score…then you have guys that are supposed to be leaders and get the ball to the scorers…Everybody can’t score 20 points a game, so don’t worry about it.
57 Responses to “The Fisher King”
Sep.17 at 1:33 pm
sam g says:
1st snitches!
Sep.17 at 1:44 pm
Ken says:
Great read. Thanks for reposting that.
Sep.17 at 1:55 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Good stuff, Russ. D-Fish love is always welcome. And while we’re on the topic of stories that never ran, I should find that Tim Thomas feature I wrote like six years ago that never made it into the mag, if only for this quote from Ray Allen: “I think he can be the best player in the League.” YEAH, Ray!
Sep.17 at 1:56 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Fish has always been one of my favorite people in the League. Some players, when you interview them–even if they’re animated in normal conversation–their eyes go blank, they look off to a fixed point in the distance, and their voice goes flat. (Antoine Walker is a good example of that.) Not Fish. Even when the tape recorder comes out, it’s still just a conversation. Eye contact, laughter, the whole nine. Real talk. He never makes it feel like you’re imposing on his time. (Of course this interview took place over the phone, but the principle still holds. There was never a time where I thought, ‘damn, he just wants to get this over with.’)
Sep.17 at 2:03 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
he is a funny guy, especially when he said shaq’s free throw shooting is really going to improve. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaHA
Sep.17 at 2:21 pm
riggs says:
the fisher king….is that a nod to bleach the anime? nope thats king fisher. but if it is +10 russ
Sep.17 at 2:50 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
riggs, get out of here with that anime $hit.
Sep.17 at 2:52 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
DFishhhhh. Regardless of what people think of the Fisher signing this summer I am so relieved to have one of the classiest people in the L come back to the Lakeshow. Lord knows we need whatever positivity and rays of sunshine we can get. Fish wasn’t the president of the players association for nothing. Lets hope his history with Kobe might bring some smoother sailing ahead! Thanks for sharing Russ.
Sep.17 at 2:52 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Fish nice man.
Sep.17 at 3:00 pm
riggs says:
*packs up anime and leaves*
Sep.17 at 3:04 pm
jbn74sb says:
Ah, the Lakers from when Shaq first came to the team and they were trying to bring in whatever combination to see what might worked. Players, coaches, everybody. Shaq’s first year coincided with Kobe’s, Fisher’s and one other rookie - Travis Knight. All 3 rookies played in the Rookie Game, and Knight was a surprisingly effective garbage man on that team. Fond memories of wactching Nick the Quick, Eddie Jones, Fish, Ced Ceballos, etc. from that era.
Sep.17 at 3:08 pm
GodSaveTheKnicks says:
think the knicks could use a dfish type role player… i don’t know if nate has really changed but i’d take dfish over nate right now at least. ami crazy?
Sep.17 at 3:12 pm
jbn74sb says:
Sh-t, I’d take Smush over Nate.
Sep.17 at 3:14 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
the lakers are not going to make the playoffs
Sep.17 at 3:20 pm
jbn74sb says:
So list your 8 who will then Tarzan.
Sep.17 at 3:23 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
spurs-suns-mavs-rockets-jazz-nugs-warriors-hornets
Sep.17 at 3:24 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
memphis is going to have a chance too, clips too, but not so much without elton.
Sep.17 at 3:27 pm
jbn74sb says:
So, the Warriors lose their second best player, have all their hope hinging on an injury prone guard, and they get in? And the Clips lose by far their best player, and their most versatile player in Livingston, and they are going be better than the Lakers? You heard it here first…
Sep.17 at 4:09 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie, I hate to say it, but with the exception of the Hornets, vineboy might have your boys pegged right. There is no way they finish higher than the top 6, so even if they get the 7 spot, they’re done in the first round again.
Sep.17 at 4:11 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
so, the lakers get derek fisher, have an even more emotional and whiny kobe, still dependent on chris mihm and kwame brown and an injury prone lamar odom and they make the playoffs? sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet, even if they do, they will be bitch-slapped by the suns once again.
Sep.17 at 4:12 pm
jay says:
we’ve got a psychic on board [Hi Eboy]
Sep.17 at 4:13 pm
jbn74sb says:
Probably true eboy, depending (as always) on injuries and matchups and whether a certain player shows up to camp. But swinger claims they won’t make the playoffs, and will actually finish 11th, behind Memphis and the Clippers as well. Considering we were 7th last year, all while missing our starting center the entire season (Mihm), our second best player (Odom), third best (walton), and best shooter (half-pipe) for good chunks, we should be better this year. And that’s before we let Smush “Team-Cancer-go-for-steals-but-play-no-D” Parker walk.
Sep.17 at 4:15 pm
jbn74sb says:
So which is it, swinger? Make or not make the playoffs? Rather than root against the Lakers, pick a team and root for them. Otherwise, shut that hole above your chin and below your nose.
Sep.17 at 4:20 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
i didnt say they would be worse than the grizz and clips. they wont make the playoffs, but them might barely make it. i picked a team in 02, the spurs, turned out to be a nice choice. however, i enjoy watching lots of other teams and players too. i like watching the lakers just to see what kobe might do, but when in the month of may, i know he is going to put on a show but also take Ls
Sep.17 at 4:25 pm
jbn74sb says:
“they won’t make the playoffs, but them might barely make it.” Grammatical problems aside (and don’t call it a typo - the “m” is nowhere near the “y”), way to go out on a limb, Tarzan.
Sep.17 at 4:36 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I think the Lakers make the playoffs this year. Fish is a great chemistry addition, and Kobe’s gonna be more fired up than ever (and in fighting shape, too). Assuming some of them other dudes can stay healthy, there’s no way they get beat out by the likes of the Hornets.
Sep.17 at 4:36 pm
white hot eboy says:
Hi jay!!!! jay is a sweetheart. I wish Bodie would show me love.
Sep.17 at 4:37 pm
Myles Brown says:
55 wins. Book it.
Sep.17 at 4:51 pm
jbn74sb says:
I’ll show you something, eboy, but it would be a mistake to call it love.
Russ - Agreed.
Myles - YES!
Sep.17 at 4:52 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
im predicting the lakers wont make the playoffs. however, if they do, i wont be terribly surprised. they will barely miss the playoffs. 7,8,9, and 10 are all going to be very close.
Sep.17 at 4:58 pm
jbn74sb says:
Just so we’re clear Tarzan, I’ll sum this up for you:
The 7-10 (actually 11, using the teams you have listed above) teams in the West will be Warriors, Hornets, Clippers, Lakers, and the Grizzlies, and that they will be very close. Let’s figure that the 7-8 will be at or near 41 wins (.500 ball). Which means that the Clippers will be near .500, even though they are missing Brand and Livingston, Cassell is a year older, and they have added no significant pieces.
Sep.17 at 5:08 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
they added brevin knight and al thornton, that enough for .500 ball
Sep.17 at 5:08 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
clips depends on how long elton is out, they should be around .500 though
Sep.17 at 5:17 pm
jbn74sb says:
The Clippers went 40-42 last year. Subtract Brand and Livingston, add another year to an already old Cassell. AddThornton and Knight, plus the nanny stopper, who is redundant with Magette and Mobley on the team, and they get better? Okay…
Sep.17 at 5:57 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
livinston didnt add much to the team, if anything
Sep.17 at 5:57 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Clippers’ll be lucky to win 35 games.
Sep.17 at 6:01 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
the lakers will be lucky to win 35 games.
Sep.17 at 6:12 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
So they’re going to backtrack to ‘04-05 status? Somehow I doubt that.
Sep.17 at 6:14 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
what have they done to improve?
Sep.17 at 6:19 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Since ‘04-05? A lot. You’re saying they’re going to be 10 games worse than ‘06 and seven games worse than last year? With Bynum a year older and Farmar playing better and Fisher back in the fold and Turiaf with more experience and a healthy (hopefully) Odom and Mihm?
Sep.17 at 6:19 pm
jbn74sb says:
Picked up their starting center, signed a veteran point guard who is a good teammate, knows the system, and can hit open 3’s. Drafted Crittendon, another year of maturity and improvement for Bynum. Plus, hopefully, health. Other than that, nothing.
In 2004-2005, the Lakers were in 6th with about a month or two left in the season. Kobe twisted his ankle, Lamar got hurt, Rudy T left, and that was that. They finished something like 2-19.
Sep.17 at 6:27 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
It’s all about KB54.
Sep.17 at 6:39 pm
white hot eboy says:
Boo hoo Bodie, “In 2004-2005, the Lakers were in 6th with about a month or two left in the season. Kobe twisted his ankle, Lamar got hurt, Rudy T left, and that was that.” Did you see the Heat’s status last season? And you harp on some bullsh*t from 3 seasons ago. If the Lakers win 50 games it will have been a miracle or that they traded Kobe for 2 other All-Star players that can make a team run.
Sep.17 at 6:40 pm
jbn74sb says:
For on-ball post defense, Russ, you are correct. As for catching the ball, making a move without traveling while maintaining possession of said ball, and finishing…
Sep.17 at 6:41 pm
jbn74sb says:
No boo-hoo involved. Injuries happen and are a part of the game. But the Lakers, for most of 2004-2005, weren’t nearly as bad as everyone thinks. On March 14, 2005, they were 32-29.
Sep.17 at 6:43 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
There are probably a number of people within the Laker organization who wish that Kwame would expire along with his contract.
Sep.17 at 7:00 pm
jbn74sb says:
Good one, Russ. I actually like Kwame, but he can be more than a little frustating.
If one were to subject all of the NBA bigs to a series of tests designed to measure athletic ability (size, quickness, speed, strength, vertical leap), Kwame would come out near the top, behind Dwight, who he is much larger than. Now, once they measured hand-eye coordination and basketball IQ…
Sep.17 at 7:09 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
At least no one can take away that Kwame was once the first overall pick in the draft. That said, if there was ever a first-pick reunion he’d be seated at the table closest to the kitchen along with Michael Olowokandi, Pervis Ellison, Kent Benson and LaRue Martin.
Sep.17 at 7:13 pm
jbn74sb says:
Another example of the genius that is MJ. Draft an emotionally fragile big man #1 straight out of high school, and then proceed to purposefully embarass him in front of everyone, going so far as to nickname him eboy. I mean fagg*t. As for the number one pick reunion, maybe they’d wheel in Oden’s hospital bed too.
Sep.17 at 7:15 pm
jbn74sb says:
One thing you have to love about slamonline is the phenomenal job we do staying on topic in our comments.
Anyway, I’m glad to have Fish back on the Lakers. Of course, ask me again when Tony Parker drives right around him for the 113th straight time, but whatever.
Sep.17 at 7:24 pm
white hot eboy says:
Bodie love’s Kobe’s coc*. Till the end of time.
Sep.17 at 7:31 pm
white hot eboy says:
Sorry Bodie. Call my manhood into focus, then we go to your dark place. Where Kobe has been numerous times.
Sep.17 at 7:34 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Not like Tony Parker wouldn’t dice up Farmar and Crittendon anyway. At least Fish is a familiar face from the glory days. What’s Rick Fox up to these days?
Sep.17 at 7:37 pm
jbn74sb says:
I don’t remember calling your manhood into question, eboy. Not that I have to - you watched every second of the WNBA Finals with baited breath.
Sep.17 at 7:38 pm
jbn74sb says:
Oh, okay. I guess I did. I thought it was pretty funny actually.
Sep.17 at 9:07 pm
Holiday says:
Whoa, now I aint exactly a Lakers fan but Kobe is too legit, and Fisher is a true leader! If they made it last year without him they’ll be there this year! But probably won’t get out of the first round!
Sep.18 at 12:14 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I hate to be contrary by actually addressing Russ’ original post, but I am the one that Transcribed this interview. It was the longest-interview-for-the-shortest-story that I’ve ever heard of. I guess Fish just brings that out.