25 Greatest NBA Playoff Performers of All-Time
By Bill Speros
23. Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher posted very pedestrian stats in his 259 playoff games: 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists. But he played in 259 playoff games, the equivalent of more than three full seasons. More importantly for our consideration, he won five NBA titles 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) while playing for the Lakers. Fisher himself admitted in a Sports Illustrated/Cauldron article this past week that his success was due to the presence of Kobe Bryant as a teammate.
“Kobe showed me that limits upon performance exist only in our minds … His belief system — which became my own — was crucial to my success. I played nine, full, 82-game seasons in the NBA. I was not satisfied with just one championship; I wanted to win multiple rings.” That he did.
Fisher was a regular on those late-night NBA playoff telecasts nearly every May. He played in the Western Conference Finals 11 times with the Lakers, Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder. He only failed to advance three times. Fisher wasn’t just along for the ride. He deserves high marks somehow always being around when trophies were being presented.
Next: No. 22