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I think the Laker fans didn't necessarily appreciate how big a role he played until he left and we got stuck with "Smush" Parker.
Amen to that! While the fans may not necessarily appreciate what Fisher means to this team, we can all rest assured that the Laker organization knows exactly what Derek Fishers means to this club. I've said this many, many times before - the subtraction of Smush Parker and Kwame Brown are almost as significant a roster move as the addition of Fisher & Gasol.
The key to everything this season - and this should not be lost on the Laker faithful - has been the development of Andrew Bynum. I know he's a little, "outta sight, outta mind" right now, but Bynum's emergence in the first half of this season is the principle catalyst to the Lakers success this season. His strong play early on helped to lock Kobe in while reinforcing his belief in this team - it also made the void that much more pronounced when he got hurt, which - let's face it - essentially led to the acquisition of Pau Gasol (big assist to Mitch Kupchak.)
But, yes, if there was any such thing as a co-MVP team award, Fisher deserves to win it. His veteran presence in the clubhouse, his unique relationship with Kobe, his tutelage of Farmar, and his overall calming influence and steady hand are so important and so vital to what this team is accomplishing this season. I still maintain that the Fisher / Williams matchup in this last round was a major key to our winning and the Lakers moving on.
And then there is LO, please don't get me started...he is so ridiculously clutch right now that I'm not sure any of us actually realize what Lamar is bringing to the table these days!!!
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