Deseret News | Hey, Derek, those boos <I>are</I> personal

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Lee Benson: Hey, Derek, those boos are personal

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Also grateful | 3:08 p.m. March 19, 2008

I agree. I'm glad we have Kyle Korver.

Good riddance, Fish!

GC | 3:10 p.m. March 19, 2008

I guess everybody who thinks Fisher used his daughter's illness to escape SLC is an expert on childhood cancer, the specific form of cancer being treated, the actual medical resources available in SCL to treat this specific cancer, etc. I didn't know SLC had so many world-class cancer experts. BTW, LA fans only cheered Fisher when he would play in LA, after taking the money and running to Golden State. They know a class act.

Zen Master/Sloan | 3:17 p.m. March 19, 2008

Option #1 - Zen Master + 14 mil

Option #2 - Sloan + 20 mil

This was an obvious choice for Fisher even if he left a lot of money on the table. Money isn't everything, personal happiness goes a long way, and that is something jerry cannot provide.

Comments continue below

tbs | 3:25 p.m. March 19, 2008

Don't blame Derek Fisher just because Salt Lake City has a poorer standard of medical care than either New York or L.A. Utah fans booing Fisher are like Sacramento fans ringing cowbells. They only demonstrate their own provincialism.

stockton2malone=0rings | 3:26 p.m. March 19, 2008

another example of why the jazz and their fans are considered the most classless in the association

Fernando Arias | 3:33 p.m. March 19, 2008

You're so far off the mark last poster, it's really funny.

You think that Phil Jackson babys his players and you ignore the fact that in L.A., Fisher is a starter even as he's not the best point guard there whereas in Utah, he would likely have played 10 minutes behind Deron.

It's Fisher's leadership behind the scenes that Fisher is really great at. He has made Kobe Bryant understand, finally, what a great player Andrew Bynum was going to be and what a great team he was surrounded by.

That, and Jackson finally getting his hips fixed and not needing to be constantly on painkiller is what helped.

Jackson is finally playing his roster to close to full capability and Kobe is usually content to play within the system.

No real wonder??? | 3:35 p.m. March 19, 2008

Fisher did not want to come here to begin with--remember?? Is it so surprising that he lied his way out?

He should have just been honest and said "I like living in LA better" but then again that would not get him out of his contract. His only option was to USE HIS DAUGHTERS ILLNESS as a PLAUSIBLE lie to get himself out of here. So he did.

He now just continues to play the "professional" card acting like he does not understand the animosity because he has become "professional" at perpetuating the original lie!!

He wants to live in LA--so be it. Just have the integrity to admit it.

Based on the way he "acted" while he was here, I think everyone just expected more. That is the reason for the response. Nobody likes anyone who works so hard to be perceived one way when their behavior demonstrates the opposite.

Brewer can dunk better anyhow.

He now plays for the enemy so he gets a BIG BOOOOOOOO!!!!

Flatliner | 3:35 p.m. March 19, 2008

Fisher went to a place more convenient to treat his daughter, that was obvious from when he ask to be released.

NOW, what Boozer did, that was cowardly and without honor, so stop the double standard, if you boo Fisher, then boo Boozer too. Sorry, that requires Integrity!

And as somebody else said, the article shows no proof, so in reality this is more of a diffamation tabloid than journalism.

another coctail mr. sloan ? | 3:36 p.m. March 19, 2008

if deron williams has any sense upstairs he will run as fast as he can out of utah when his contract is up ...

i guess that's how fans feel when there team has never won anything and never will ...

Boo | 3:46 p.m. March 19, 2008

Boo! and that is not for Fisher. That is for this article and everyone that thinks they can read his mind and since they know him better than he knows himself. So maybe he did leave cause he didn't like it. How do we know that. For all we know he left for his daughter and that was the reason given so even if we don't believe it we still have to say that is why cause that is what he said. true or false.

Alex | 3:46 p.m. March 19, 2008

This article is complete paranoic nonsense. All I will do is ask questions.

1. Do you think this guy's daughter is faking eye cancer?

2. Do you think it makes sense for him to want to live somewhere doctors thought she could be treated non-surgically? (i.e. not have her eye removed.)

3. Would you expect that if he moves somewhere (Like Los Angeles) his daughter can get such non-surgical treatment that it would make sense he would get a job? (Like play basketball?)

O.K., I'm done asking questions. If you answered number one "Yes," then you are truly twisted. If you answered "No" to either two or three, consider the following:

A.) His daughter has successfully undergone non-surgical treatment.

B.) When Fisher came to L.A., Kobe was on his way out. The Lakers at that time were a far worse team than they are now . Utah was a far better team than LA.

C.) Fisher took a cut in pay to go to L.A.

I think that the Utah fans who boo Fisher reveal themselves as heartless, uncaring, fools.

Fisher | 4:01 p.m. March 19, 2008

I have no problems with Fisher other than he is wearing a Laker uniform and I hate the Lakers. Therefore if you wear a Laker uniform you are no friend of mine and do not remind me of Malone going there. Nothing personal against Fish he is a good guy and a good player. GO JAZZ!

Fredd | 4:02 p.m. March 19, 2008

I'm glad to see the number of Fisher supporters (jazz fans, not LA fans) who have been posting. Still way to many cretins out there twisting the facts to play woe is me utah small market boo hoo. I'm a converted Jazz fan (from the Lakers) and continue to be one even through the lean years. I hate to say this but this line of reasoning is typical. No matter what the issue there is always a large group that ignore facts and just rant. I thought long and hard about Fish and got a warm feeling so i know his intentions were good.

MorganC | 4:03 p.m. March 19, 2008

I think the major difference between D-Fish and Boozers situation which is not mentioned is: Boozer put himself out there to the highest bidder. Fisher took a PAY CUT to play in LA where his daughter could get local care for her CANCER.

To all... | 3:59 p.m. March 19, 2008

who believe you can get better medical care outside of Utah, a few facts: 1. IHC has been ranked the number one health care system in the U.S. for 4 out of 5 years. 2. I use a flight tracking system for business use and often look to see where airmed and life flight fixed wing aircraft go. You would be surprised to see how many flights per month are to pick up patients from both the Palo Alto areas (Stanford) and Burbank (UCLA). I can't say what the particular medical cases may be, but judging from the 20 or so fixed-wing flights per day from places as far east as the Mississippi, there is some reason that people are coming here for medical care. 3. Several close relatives either graduated from, or are on the teaching staff at the U. Medical School. Treatments and specialists, according to them, for that condition have been here for several years. He just wanted out.

Baffled | 4:05 p.m. March 19, 2008

Here's why I agree with Fisher. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt - the guy's a class act - period. If he were the only one that Jazz fans boo'd, I might understand. But when guys like Gordan Giracek and Chris Paul get boo'd, all that says to me is that Jazz fans, in general, are just not that bright. (Maybe most are and the few dumb ones are the vocal ones at games.) But how do you boo Giracek and Paul? Giracek had nothing to do with orchestrating a trade - and Chris Paul is a total stud! (And for the record, I'd take DWill over Paul any day.) Baffling!

Daniel Powter | 4:15 p.m. March 19, 2008

So he, what ... gave his daughter cancer to try to get out of the contract? Devious! Call Dr. House!

WHY WHY UTAH!! | 4:10 p.m. March 19, 2008

First stop mixing your religon (LDS) with the Jazz or any other sports team. The Jazz aren't mormon! Did you know that? Second you guys acts like Fish is Jazz lifer, he played a 1 02 seasons didn't he? He is a LAKER!!! He won his rings with the Lakers. SO stop whining, he's not an all star in the league and your team the JIZZ are boring as hell to watch. I love to see Utah sell outs wearing Kobe jerseys or Laker jerseys. There is a reason Utah is so weird. IDENTITY CRISIS!!! Look around you.

ammie2002 | 4:13 p.m. March 19, 2008

I think this is the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. If the doctors in Los Angeles were the best for his daughter, so be it. Who are we to judge what he should have done.You don't know until you walk in his shoes. I think he's great no matter who he plays for. Those that are booing him need to have there head examined.

Bill | 4:15 p.m. March 19, 2008

Utah made me sick when they booed fisher. Laker fans cheered for him before every game after leaving la for more money and always were thankful of what he did for them. I give credit to the Utah organization for releasing him. You rarely get to see that help they gave fisher. he could have gotten help in utah but would have still been traveling to la very often and he didn't want the headache.

and he didn't sign immediately with the lakers. he didn't even know if was going to play ball again at all and when he did sign with the lakers it was for a ton less money. When fisher says he wants them to treat him personally it's because he wants them to respect the decision he made as a person, and not look at it in just basketball terms where they're pissed because he left.

But i guess Jazz fan would rather have Fisher's daughter lose her eye like the utah doctors wanted when they suggested amputation, rather than get GOOD help in LA. You make me sick.

TO: Boo Jazz Fan | 4:16 p.m. March 19, 2008

i think that you are just jealous of how cool we are. how can you say that the jazz fans are horrible? if fisher wanted to leave, he should have just said it like that.not pReTeNd that his daughter needed treatment in LA (ok i admit, she did need treatment, but the treatment in LA isnt half as good as it is here. but you should know that what fisher did to the jazz and all its fans hurt, and i think we have a right to book him if we want to.

eLLie | 4:28 p.m. March 19, 2008

if fisher wanted to leave, fine. b ut he should have been honest and said so. i mean, what kind of person leads their team to the western conference finals and then lies to them saying his "daughter needs care for her cancer"? which i admit it a true statement, but when you lie and say your going to go to find a better hospital and end up going to LA, where the treatment for cancer isnt half as good as it is in SLC, i think thats wrong. and i hope one day fisher realizes it and never forgives himself.

They did it to Karl too... | 4:32 p.m. March 19, 2008

Fisher went to a bad team for less money. He put his family-first (something most of the readers of this publication claim to do) and moved to a place where he had the support of his famly and more options for care for his cancer-stricken daughter. Was it so awful that he then took a job within his chosen profession once he got there? Would he be booed if he had joined the Clippers? I think not.

This was a terrible article full of pure speculation and bitterness.

Booing him is ridiculous but what can you expect from the same fans who booed Karl Malone on his trips back to Salt Lake when he was a member of the Lakers. The man gave years and years or dedication to the Jazz, won MVPs and took his teams to championship series and yet Jazz fans disrespected him as well simply because he was a member of the Lakers. Jazz fans HATE the Lakers and apparently anyone on the team, even if they have once been a valued part of the Jazz, it is as simple as that.

As one of the classiest guys in the league, Fisher deserves better.

Sad | 4:30 p.m. March 19, 2008

what a classless article

ID Jazz | 4:34 p.m. March 19, 2008

Say what you will lovers of Fisher but facts do not lie.
1. When he was traded to Utah he did not hide his feelings of not wanting to be in a Jazz uniform.
2.He stated that he needed to move to one of four different locations so they could be near specialists and LA was not one of them.
3. Shortly after the release of his contract(3 weeks) with Utah he signed with LA.(Near his wifes family and where he said he wanted to return to, to retire.)
4. Shortly after there move to LA a press conference is held to tell everyone that his daughters cancer is gone and she only needs follow up visits to make sure that it does not come back.(Could have easily been done from Utah and suspect that she was already in remission before he asked out).

Innocent or guilty with all stated above along with the time lines he put himself in a position for people to question his ethics and his integrity. And please don't state that he lost money going to LA. When a guy like him already has 50+ million its not about the money.

gramma5 | 4:37 p.m. March 19, 2008

I have the utmost respect for Derek Fisher. He gave up millions to leave for the benefit of his child. Or the benefit of his wife's happiness, it matters not to me. That is what a real father and a real man would do. How many of you would give up millions? Give the man respect for doing the job he did while he was here. He does not deserve booing, just keep silent. Booing is just showing your lack of confidence in the team we have now. Go Fisher - Go Lakers!

pd23 | 4:54 p.m. March 19, 2008

to eLLie. Note: There is better Medical care in LA compared to SLC, people do not want to go to Utah unless it's for sundance. Good luck not winning another title this year, you guys are good at it.

Hit a nerve there, Cry-Fish??? | 4:57 p.m. March 19, 2008

Dude lied his way out.

People don't respect it.

They BOOOOOOOO him.

No more cheers, no adulation, no hero worship... and he cries to reporters, instead of spending his millions on an LA Therapist.

People say "Pay-cut" like an NBA salary is real.

I don't know what he makes, but going from $12 mil per to $8 mil, how do you pay for gas?

Cheer him if you respect him, Boo if you don't.

Either way, he's being a crybaby...

Men don't respect crybabies, no matter how well they play the game.

re:Bill | 5:05 p.m. March 19, 2008

Hey, maybe next time he comes to town, and all those working people pay money to come watch, and they boo, boo, boo, boo him for lieing his way out of town, you can give him an ego/foot massage and make all of the bad, bad Utah pain go away...

Ben Franklin said it best, Fish and visitors go bad after three days.

re:id jazz | 5:12 p.m. March 19, 2008

nearly 200 posts and finally someone hits the nail on the head. Good job. I was thinking this whole time that when the trade was announced, he wouldn't even show up for a press conference. It took him at least 2 weeks to even get here.

I could go on from here but ID Jazz already said it.

Wow.... | 5:12 p.m. March 19, 2008

This article is a Joke

pd23 | 5:15 p.m. March 19, 2008

Maybe he didn't want to play on a team that can't win a championship. The jazz are not going to win it this year.

Aaron | 5:18 p.m. March 19, 2008

Last time I checked, Fisher waited to see where he could take his daughter, and above all, which team would understand that if he needed to take some time off or devote time to his daughter, he would be allowed to. He didn't sign off with the Lakers right away. And he was never booed in Los Angeles when he played for Golden State and then Utah in the years after because he was beloved by many Laker fans. How dare you make all of these assertions based on no fact whatsoever by trying to string along and stretch facts to your advantage. He left for his own personal reasons to take care of his family, and if Utah fans don't want to believe that, well thats their opinion.

But there is no proof or reason to question Fisher's motives for returning to Los Angeles and the only reason why its actually being questioned now, almost midway through March, is because the Lakers are doing well. It obviously has some to do with Fisher, but not everything. Maybe if this was published earlier in the season there might have been slight credibility, if that. But there is not.

EVIDENCE THAT FISHER WAS HONEST | 5:33 p.m. March 19, 2008

Well, I tried to post it a few hours ago. Specific info about top notch world class RETINOBLASTOMA specialists in LA, but NOT in SLC. I guess DNews is protecting Benson. So this comment probably won't be posted either. Lame.

Jordan | 5:29 p.m. March 19, 2008

derek fisher could have left and signed with the knicks, or any other team for that matter. it is because he signed with the lakers that he gets booed. And besides, if we still had derek fisher, i dont think that the jazz would have kyle korver, who is a much better player than fisher is.

HEY EVIDENCE | 5:34 p.m. March 19, 2008

maybe you put in a website address, or something else that would bounce you. try submitting the info without websites or cursing and see if it gets approved....

Wow! | 5:35 p.m. March 19, 2008

For a person to lose millions for the sake of playing elsewhere does not make sense! People would sacrifice everything, from traffic jam, early riser and be home late just as long as it is worth it. So to say that Fish doesn't like playing in Utah and he'll give up millions is too narrow!!! $6M is like winning a lotto! That would probably be my lifetime earnings! Losing $100 already hurts, how much more $6M? And to say that he used his daughter as an alibi? Wow! Jazz fans should know better. And besides, who si Derek Fisher anyway? He can't even guard Udrih, CP3 and TJ Ford lately. He was not a Lebron James or a Kobe Bryant that turned your Utah Jazz around!!!

Dumb in SLC | 5:51 p.m. March 19, 2008

Its just sports you dorks.. There is no honor in sports everyone, including the owners, is out for their best interests. I wouldn't question someones right to seek care for their daughter. Fact is she has cancer and he has the right and responsibility to find the right/best treatment for her. Stay out of his personal life. Boo him because he is a Laker. I also find it interesting that no one responded to the "cast the first stone" comment. Give that one a crack boys..

re:Evidence of Honesty | 5:55 p.m. March 19, 2008

The guy "used" his daughter as an excuse to get out of a contract.

Truthfully, yes or no, no one knows, but that was his reason, and went to LA and his wife is in the swimming pool as we speak.

So people Booo.

So What???

Strap on your jock, step on the court, throw up a couple shots, collect your check, hit the airport, and get on with your life.

People don't like snakes, and that's how they see Fisher.

Deal with it.

(But oh no, he's a player, let's give him warm fuzzies when he comes and plays...)

Evidence needs to man up and get on with his life.

Semper Fi | 5:55 p.m. March 19, 2008

I keep hearing about how he "betrayed" the jazz by donning a lakers jersey. Was he not a laker long before he went to the jazz? Why so surprised? You all are just being a bunch of haters!

re tbs??? | 6:04 p.m. March 19, 2008

Poorer standard of medical treatment???

Do you even understand what you have here in Utah?

Royalty from other countries come to the U of U for treatment.

Face it. Beach, sunshine, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, swimming, pools, movie stars...

But don't blame it on medical care.

We're not in Fillmore...

re:Everyone | 6:19 p.m. March 19, 2008

Great posts...

Hey, I'm going to boo Fisher anyway.

I don't respect the way he did what he did.

(I tried to tell him in person, but he won't take my calls, answer the door, and the restraing order says 200 feet... Beside, Boo is easier than "Go make passionate love to yourself").

That's cause I hate the player, not the game.

Anonymous | 6:29 p.m. March 19, 2008

Give me a break guys. Have you checked at all what Fisher would have made in Utah as opposed to what he makes now in LA? I am beginning to think that the majority of people who have read this article here in Utah make crazy assumptions- do some research before you go off and talk about how someone copped out. Fisher makes significantly LESS money in LA so it is not about the money.

Bruce | 6:38 p.m. March 19, 2008

Those of you who deride Fisher are sad excuses for human beings. Facts are...He wanted out of Utah because his childs condition and care requirements made life more difficult than it might be somewhere else. He told the Jazz up front if released he would not rule out playing somewhere else. These seem very honest statements to me. Not to mention the lost wages and uncertainty the Lakers were in at his time of signing doesn't bode well for those of you who feel it was some sort of coupe'. He made a request the Jazz did what they thought was right, the rest of you pathetic souls need to move on!

EVIDENCE | 6:46 p.m. March 19, 2008

Judy Villablanca, M.D. Top notch RETINOBLASTOMA expert and research pioneer at Children's Hospital LA. Not at Primary's. Not at Huntsman. None of the "royalty" coming to Hunstman for cancer treatment have RETINOBLASTOMA, a rare childhood form of eye cancer.

Found her name in just a few minutes of web surfing. Can't find any RETINOBLASTOMA experts in Utah. Or any Fisher family support either. Or a good reason not to be thoroughly embarassed to say I'm a Jazz fan. You Fisher haters are pathetic, judgmental and uninformed.

Anonymous | 6:52 p.m. March 19, 2008

Another vote to kick Utah out of the US.

Classless, tasteless, paranoid, fear-mongering...jeez I don't know where to stop.

I mean really Derek Fisher used his daughter' cancer to get out of playing for the Jazz????

Unfricking believable...yeah that would be totally consistent with him flying cross-country to help them win a game.

GET A LIFE...LOSERS!

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! | 6:55 p.m. March 19, 2008

"The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is the largest pediatric ophthalmology program in the United States, and it is the only program in the country with expertise and treatment and research programs in virtually every pediatric ophthalmologic subspecialty area with the creation of six new institutes: the Retina Institute, the Cornea Institute, the Eye Birth Defects Institute, the Vision Development Institute, the Eye Technology Institute and the Orbit and Eye Movement Institute.

The Retina Institute treats infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), the second leading cause of blindness in infants; retinal trauma and detachment; retinal degenerations, such as retinitis pigmentosa; and RETINOBLASTOMA, a rare childhood cancer of the eye, which predominantly affects infants and young children under five years of age. The RETINOBLASTOMA Program at Childrens Hospital is the only one of its kind in the western United States based in a pediatric hospital. Nearly one-fifth of all retinoblastoma cases diagnosed annually in the United States are treated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Medical Directors: Thomas C. Lee, M.D., and A. Linn Murphree, M.D."

ID Jazz Part1 | 6:57 p.m. March 19, 2008

RE:Aaron

On my post at 4:34 that is all factual. I am more than happy to debate the facts with you. But don't post something stupid that there is nothing factual to debate his motives. I am not doubting that his daughter was sick but I think he used it as a crutch to get back to where he wanted to be.
Jordan: Its not Necessarily that it was the Lakers but that he stated that it was to teams and towns in the east and in the south that could only help his daughter.
If LA could help her then that plays in a little different as far as letting him out of his contract. Last time I flew to LA it was a 1.5 hour flight. Not that big a deal for a guy who is about to be paid 20 mill more. Although Miller or O'Connor may never admit to it but if they thought or knew he was going back to a team in the west who is one of there rivals they might have questioned his motives also and possibly said no.

odogtriever | 7:04 p.m. March 19, 2008

Utah locals have an inferiority complex. Show a little class and just cheer the jazz.

L.A. has a hospital with doctors on staff to treat an emegency if needed for his daughters eye cancer. Fisher also has family near L.A. I am sure his wife needs additional support when Fish is away.

He did the right thing. Lets just show alittle love for what he did for our young players last year.

TheHailstorm | 7:12 p.m. March 19, 2008

Who cares ? This is the NBA where there was the Jailblazers , we have the Thuggets , and our 2 spot guards are doing really well with the Brewer / Korver rotation.
Derek made me uneasy on the floor as when he went into the tall timber and lost the ball. The extra height doesn't hurt the guard rotation , and Price is doing better as the games goes.. he pushes the ball up court before the other team is set up.
Frankly , if Fish wants to play second Banana to Kobe so be it. The Jazz brass made some good picks and all we lost was a higher priced player that is older by far then our guards.
If Fisher was so good why did the Fakers shuffle him off to Golden State , then the Warriors got him out of town ?
New Day --same game. Move along.
don't boo the dude, give him his place with the Lakers and forget it.

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