Deseret News | Reader comments: Fisher gets mixed 'welcome'

Reader comments
Fisher gets mixed 'welcome'

Too bad! | 3:25 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

It's too bad that there were so many boos for Fisher. He did a good job for the Jazz and was a class act. He left for his family and hasn't talked negatively about his time in Utah. It's understandable to have semi-doubts about his departure, but he still was great while he was here. Let's just wish him the best and enjoy the Jazz win. Booing every time he touches the ball isn't necessary and makes it too personal for the circumstance.

NY Jazz Fan | 6:39 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

The Jazz are better without Fisher this year and they are better because of Fisher last year.

Jimmy's Sneakers | 7:39 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Jimmy is dissappointed with the crowd reaction toward Fish. Jimmy thinks that the fans should be greatful for the leadership and maturity he brought to the team, those things did not leave when he did.

Jimmy thinks Utahns need to get over their self-consciousness and realize that it is ok that not everyone likes them or wants to live in Utah. Fish had as good excuse as any for leaving and his walking away from all that money on the table will actually help the Jazz in the long run.

Comments continue below

Classless Jazz fans | 7:43 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Regardless of the intentions of Derek Fisher, booing Derek Fisher beyond intros was tacky and classless, but it's difficult to expect everyone to take the high road.

NBA fans watching the game last night across the country certainly could not understand the fans were booing out of suspicions that Fisher opted out of his contract for reasons beyond his daughter's situation, so Jazz fans just end up looking stupid.

Matt | 8:14 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I think it shows poor taste that fans booed Fisher. I was so upset when I saw that.

Vanchickavan | 8:46 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

The reception Jazz fans gave Fisher was disgusting. He is an upstanding guy who was a huge part of our team. He did a very tough thing to give up guaranteed money for his daughter's sake. I understand that a lot of Utahns have a bit of a "complex" and always think that someone is disrespecting us when they leave, but that just isn't the case here. Fisher deserved a hero's welcome, but the one he got was a disgrace to Utah fans.

bonesaw_23 | 8:59 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I think it's too bad that Jazz fans booed Fisher. I would have thought that they would be more understanding than that. The guys daughter had cancer and you're booing him because of it. Who's really the bad guy in that scenario?

Booers | 9:09 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Classless act by those Jazz fans. Not real fans in my opinion. There's no way he could have stayed in Utah with his child's problem. Just not practical with the traveling that would have been necessary. I don't fault him a bit for going back to the Lakers. He should have gotten a warm welcome. That would have been appropriate.

Steve | 9:15 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I can't believe what a bunch of sick fickle, shallow fans we have to boo such a class act. I am the biggest Jazz fan you'll ever meet, but it is times like this you realize there are more things important than basketball. Fisher left to care for his family, it wasn't to betray the Jazz. I don't undertand the booing at all. Fisher spilled his guts all of last season that help them reach the Western Conference Finals. Without him the Jazz wouldn't have gotten there. To those who booed him, you are no true Jazz fan for you would boo any current Jazz man if they left for whatever reason. For that matter, if the most beloved Jazzman, Stockton, had left you would have booed him also. To those booing, you are a sick, sad reflection about the ugliness of the world today. With all due respect to Fisher, Fisher's departure actually benefitted the Jazz greatly with the emergence of Ronnie Brewer who has become such an integral part of the Jazz starting lineup not just for this season but more more to come. Why can't these Jazz fans appreciate and respect Fisher's decision?

Classless | 9:22 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

First off, I'm as big a Jazz fan as anyone, but I was extremely embarassed to be one last night. How classless can we really be! D-Fish does the right thing for his daughter and family and we boo him. I really don't get it! It's pretty pathetic. All of the father's out there who booed him, try thinking about your own kids and/or families and I hope you would do the same thing.

Next time D-Fish is here, lets try showing some sportsmanship and celebrating what he has done to make us the team we are today, because we are better overall because he was here. D-Will and Booz are better leaders because of him and that gives us the best opportunity to become champions, which is the overall goal anyway.

Show some class and remember what he did do, because without him we might not be the team we are today. Would we want D-Fish and not have Brewer doing the things he is doing? The Jazz made off better for a variety of reasons and so did D-Fish. Let's try cheering for someone who gave us so much! Lakers suck! Nice sportsmanship. Pathetic.

Anonymous | 9:25 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I just wanted to say I no longer think Jazz fans are the greatest. They are the worst. I am ashamed and disgusted with all who booed Fisher. Terrible display of sportsmanship in sports

Fisher Fan | 9:30 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Fisher's reception in last night's game was terrible. You should be ashamed. It takes away everything good the Jazz are doing and have been doing. The next time the Jazz host the Lakers have some reserve and class and refrain from the booing and maybe you might find it in your heart to actually give the guy some cheers. He did a lot of good for the Jazz last season. He's not a traitor, he's a classy family man. Why is that so hard for so many Jazz fans to understand.

Tough Call... | 9:42 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I really don't know what to make of this, as I can see it from both sides. Perhaps the resentment stems from the fact that he really did not want to play in Utah in the first place (remember his initial response to the trade from Golden State?). However, did he really do the wrong thing from a family standpoint? Or did he seize an opportunity to leave? Tough call...but I find it hard to criticize him.

Holly | 9:55 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I've never been less proud to be a Jazz fan in my entire life. I love Fisher, I always have. And I grew to love him even more when he was with us. He put his family first. People are questioning his motives about returning to LA. But who cares where he's playing? The most important thing is his daughter. We should have showed a lot more class than that. He is an awesome guy who did not deserve any of the boos.
Had I been in the crowd, I would have given him a standing ovation. He deserves no less. I was so ticked off that I couldn't even watch the game. The Jazz fans looked retarted booing him, and I for one; wanted no part in that if being a Jazz fan last night meant booing one of my favorite players in the whole NBA. I don't care that he left us, he did what was right by his daughter. I love and respect the dude. He didn't need to come into the arena to be booed by the fans he grew to love last year. He did not deserve that at all.

danburtreynolds | 9:59 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Classless and Jimmy have it right. I am embarrassed to be a Jazz fan after last night. The team makes me proud, but the fans at the game were disgraceful. Give me a break, Jazz fans just looked stupid last night booing him. He helped a ton while he was here, and has always been a stand-up guy, therefore deserves the benefit of the doubt in regards to his motivation to move-on.

What is a "Jazz" anyway? | 10:09 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

"He's a Laker; we're a Jazz." Am I the only one that found any humor in this article?

page | 10:19 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

be happy for fisher if you don't have anything good to say then say nothing. this is the best thing that could of happened for the jazz.1 get out of huge contract for someone that can't shoot.2 we get brewer more time on the court 3 DWILL BOOZER need to be the leaders of this team.

Jazz fan in Pittsburgh | 10:27 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I was disappointed with the booing fans. Fisher has said nothing but positive things about Salt Lake and playing for the Jazz. His favorite basketball memory was the reception these same Jazz fans gave him less than a year ago. I realize some of you consider him a traitor but don't you think his teammates understood his situation a little better than any of us fans or the media? If anyone should should feel slighted or consider him a traitor it would be Boozer, Williams, and his other former temmates who have done nothing but support Fisher's decision to leave Utah for LA.

utahjazz31 | 10:34 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I did not find booing at D-Fisher that unusual last night. I concur that he did help us with leadership and maturity last year, I also concur that leaving for his daughter was nearly the most gracious thing except give his own life for his daughter, but the reality of sports is- He WENT TO THE LAKERS!! I had no problem with K-Malone going for one year, because he had been here for So Many Years. Fisher was here for 1 year. It's a part of sports, when you join the opposing team in the same conference, odds are your going to get booed. Anyone that has played sports understands that. who else got booed? Bryant, the Lakers best player, so if anything it was somewhat of respect (in a sports sense) to get booed. Good Luck with Fish and his family issues, i hope all goes well

ID Jazz | 11:03 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I would not have booed him. I understand both sides of this for some fans though. As stated above when Fisher was told he was traded to the Jazz he was less than thrilled to come to Utah and even in a few interviews stated that fact. Jazz fans still opened there arms and made him there own and rode his success on the court and sympathized and felt with him as his daughter became ill. No one questioned his motive when he was let out of his contract to be closer to a place that supported his daughters medical needs. I hope he done for the right reasons but if it was to leave Utah then he has to live with that not the fans. But I think most Boos for him came from Jazz Fans (90%) who hate the Lakers. I know I do. I don't think they booed him because of his leaving, they booed him that he went to the enemy. If he went to any other team he would have not been booed it was just those dang Lakers. I will give the fans the benefit that it was for that.

Henry Drummond | 11:28 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I was very disappointed with those who booed Derek, especially one loud mouth who kept yelling "why don't you go home to be with your daughter". I would not want to face having a child with a disease that could kill her or have her lose an eye or suffer any number of scary possibilities considering where that cancer is located.

I think to suggest that Derek cynically used that just because he wanted out of his contract is very unfair. Derek certainly has earned a reputation as an honorable man with players, coaches, and with the Jazz management who have never been shy about saying what they think about their players.

There were a lot of cheers when Derek was first introduced and I hope he remembers those more than the vocal few who make us all look bad.

Boo Miller | 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

For every fan that booed Fisher, you should also boo Larry Miller because he let him out of the contract. He could have said no and Fisher could still be on the team. You shouldnt boo because you are also disrespecting the current Jazz players who were close to Fisher and they were there and will remember that. Stupid Jazz fans with obvious insecurities always make the rest of the real fans look stupid. No wonder some players do not want to play here! You booed a man who flew across the country to come back to work after a family medical problem. Would you do that?

Miller should call him | 11:44 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Despite being the most exciting win this season, last night tainted one of the greatest moments in Jazz history. To think some uninformed fans would show so little respect toward the guy who gave us that GSW hero moment... it really dissapoints all of us.

Mr. Miller if you're reading this, call Fisher today! He knows you, the team, the coaches all support him. But he needs to know that the fans do too. I mean the real Jazz fans (like everyone in this thread), not the guys booing last night. If anyone speaks for the fans, it's you Mr. Miller. Do your best. He probably will still be ticked for some time, but apologizing may help a little.

Tell him fans/mobs act really stupid sometimes. Like cheering crazy for a Ukranian big man that has played 10 minutes for the Jazz, and booing the guy who helped lead the Jazz to the biggest playoff run in 8 years. We're all very sorry it happened.

Wow this thread isn't biased | 12:32 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Someone already said it but I'll repeat it again. People didn't boo just because he left. It's the way he did. Signed with the LAKERS (boooooo) about a week after he is out of his contract. Hmmm I know he has a good reputation and the Jazz organization supports him but pardon me for being suspicious. If I could have gone to the game I would have booed too. Obviously it had some affect on him he only scored 3 points. He's a porfessional athlete fro heavens sakes. If he can't handle being boooed when he leaves a team for it's biter rival under the cicumstances he did, he shouldn't be playing at all. The NBA is a man's league. With the same logic some people have used here it was wrong for Pacer fans to boo Artest considering all the wins he gave them when he was there. Or for Boston fans to boo Damon when he returned as a Yankee. Get real we only cheer for the players when they are on our team. When they leave they are no longer ours. Why do you think BYU fans are so quick to judge Kyle Whittingham?

Congrats... | 12:44 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

...Jazz fans, you got a "nice" mention on CNNSI for booing Derek Fisher, supposedly even more loudly than Kobe. Classless, especially considering that many of you have families and probably would have done exactly what Fisher did. Pathetic.

die hard | 1:28 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

if you boo players on the court or the field you probably never played sports. It is a absolutly class less thing to do.(PERIOD). There is no excuse for it. If FISHER wanted out of here good for him. Williams kicked him pretty hard last night. The JAZZ will win a championship before any team with Kobe on it. Booing is the kinda crap you expect from half the fans at the U. Cheer for your team and NEVER I MEAN NEVER BOO another teams player. Besides all it does is fire a player up any way.

ME | 1:49 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Fisher could have signed with the Knicks if it was only about his daughter - in fact, he flew back here from New York to play against Golden State in the playoffs. He could have gone ANYWHERE but L.A., and the fans would not have been so upset. Signing with the Lakers one week after being released from his contract was a joke. If he was honest and admitted that Utah was not a place he wanted to live, I'd be fine with that. I hope all is well with his daughter, but I don't have to cheer for a Laker.

Classless Fan | 2:17 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

First of all I understand the medical problems, and the need for the best care.

However nobody can logically make the argument that LA is closer to NYC than SLC. And from what I have heard his daughter is still being treated in NYC.

Look at Fisher's initial reaction to being moved to Utah, he never wanted to be here. And like a dirty Laker is willing to break the rules to win.

Don't get me wrong I have VERY happy that he is not on the Jazz anymore. I think that 3 ptr in the playoffs was the only shot he hit all year. Look at the bench time he got last night.

I am happy we can give his time to Brewer.

I wish his daughter the best. But if I was there last night I would have booed as well.

DCJ | 3:19 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Dear Classless Fan and others who would have booed Fisher.

I'm sorry, but I don't get it. If you're happy he left, why do you have to make the rest of Utah Jazz fans, inside and outside of Utah, look like a bunch of petty, insecure morons?

Is it that if somebody doesn't like where you live and what you do every bit as much as you, that you have to "boo" that person so you feel better about yourself?

The Jazz are one of the best teams in the league now, and Brewer is playing outstanding ball. The guys who are here are better off because Fisher came, and better off too now that he left. So what more do you want? An "I'm so sorry I left your pretty great, get elevated state with the best snow on earth. You are so right to be a Utahn and I am so wrong" apology letter?

Next time Fisher comes to play, why don't you and the other classless fans try yelling "THANK YOU!!"

die hard | 4:23 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

class less let me guess (u are a ute fan)

Roy in Augusta,GA. | 6:17 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I've enjoyed the game of basketball longer than most people (Utah fans)have been alive. I've enjoyed the NBA since before I had my excellent Season Ticket seats when Seattle lost to (and won the following year) the Washington Bullets. I've been a Jazz fan since I moved to Salt Lake City in 1985. I moved to Augusta a few years ago but my team is still the Jazz. I've been a Jerry Sloan fan since his playing days,and if it weren't for Jerry, I'd have given up on the NBA long ago.
I remember doing my share of booing, but not the way I heard "Laker haters" boo last night (prefer not to call them "Jazz fans" since that would "connect" me with them).
I've booed bad calls by the refs and poorly excecuted plays...etc. My reaction to those booing Derek Fisher was embarrasment to be a Jazz enthusiast. I say to those that booed "Fish" under the circumstances . . . "act like you've been somewhere...."
If you happen to read these Jazz news comments Derek.... I'm sorry you had to hear (and feel the sentiments) of some Utah Jerks.

AK Fan | 10:12 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

It's sport for fans. They have right to do what they think is right. I saw so many comments defending Fisher ( actually one person did watch ID). If I was Fish I would skip one season. That could be REAL CLASSY not fishy act.

B | 11:41 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

It made me sick to see Fisher get booed last night. I don't care what team he's on now. The guy helped rebuild the Jazz and then made a decision to take a pay cut in order to make sure his daughter could get the best care available. I know Fisher probably doesn't read these comments, but just in case, I hope he knows that plenty of Jazz fans understand his decision and support it. We're grateful for what he did for us and wish the very best for his daughter and the rest of his family.

laker hater | 11:54 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

If he wanted out of his contract to be with his daughter. Why did he sign so fast with the lakers.Looks like you are spending alot of time with her. I guess moving to los angles is alot closer to new york than salt lake is

Joe Blazer | 12:16 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

If the fans are going to boo Fisher for getting out of his contract with the Jazz, then they should also boo Boozer for weaseling his way out of his contract with Cleveland.

And if the Utah fans were a little more sophisticated about the NBA, they'd realize that Fisher actually did their team a favor by relieving them of the remainder of his bad contract.

ShastaDogg | 2:15 a.m. Dec. 2, 2007

I don't understand why all this hate for fisher. The jazz are not a worse team cause he left and they are probably a better team cause now we have someone in that spot that is young and athletic. Who cares if his decision was a little questionable, we will never know. To me, I always thought fisher as a laker man just like stockton and malone is a jazz man, so it isn't too suprising to me that he went to a team he spent most of his carreer with. He has been and is my favorite laker, this comming from someone who hates the lakers more than anyother team other than the utes. I wish him the best of luck and his team the worst of luck. get into the holiday spirit and think more about the good stuff than the negative, isn't that whats the holidays is all about. I also don't think that the fans where all that tasteless for booing him, just regular fan reaction when playing a team that they hate the most. All sports team have those type of fans with them, just watch the BYU, UTAH games.

Jazzsmack | 3:49 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

What part of: "he plays for the opposing team" does not any one understand.

It is great people want have compassion and respect for him as a father. That is all well and good.

But when he steps on the court he is a basketball player and a laker.

We should not as fans make the opposing players and teams comfortable about playing here. That is why they call it home court advantage.

So go ahead and boo it just part of the game for fans. He's a professional he can handle it.

Boo Fish? Are you crazy? | 9:48 a.m. Dec. 3, 2007

The thing the "boo Fish" fans are forgetting is that he signed with LA for less money! If that doesn't show his true intentions, I don't know what does. Anyone that boos D-Fish is ignorant.

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