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NBA playoffs: Fisher's year of pain, growth

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Boozer a bench player? | 11:21 a.m. May 6, 2008
Boozer wasn't a bench player in Cleveland. . .He was as starter who was offered a $41MM contract over 6 years to keep that starting spot alongside LeBron. When he bailed to Utah the Cavs had to bring in drew Gooden from Orlando to start. Since then Gooden hasn't worked out and they had to get Joe Smith and Ben wallace who have also struggled. So Boozer did leave them with a broken promise for more money. Had nothing to do with moving from the bench to a starting position.
A DIXON | 11:22 a.m. May 6, 2008
MAYBE THE DEREK FISHER SITUATION IS WHY WE HERE IN
UTAH CAN'T GET THE NBA PLAYERS TO WANT TO COME AND
STAY IN UTAH. IT IS STILL A FREE COUNTRY ISN'T IT
AND IF HE FELT LIKE LEAVING HERE FOR ANY REASON HE
HAD THAT RIGHT.WE ARE GREAT JAZZ FANS, BUT LETS
SHOW A LITTLE CLASS AND RESPECT, FOR OTHERS.
HAVING GONE THOUGH CANCER MYSELF I FEEL JUST A
LITTLE OF WHAT HE HAS BEEN THROUGH.
C'Mon | 11:30 a.m. May 6, 2008
Fisher is not going to haul his daughter in a jet to a doctor's appointment. Plus, flying is sometimes discouraged after treatment.

An important part of cancer recovery is the role of stability, family, friends, church and an easily-accessible medical team, etc. If his family feels better with the treatment in L.A., then they should be cheered for the decision. Plus, if his daughter hadn't needed treatment, he would have honored the last year of his contract.

Finally, so what if people don't like living in Utah (and I'm not saying that's the case w/ Fisher)? I was born and raised there and left to live in a bigger city. Utah is a beautiful state, but has cold winters, a lack of real diversity, not nearly as much to do and is still pretty rural. Plus, Utah does not have a monopoly on clean, safe, moral communities to raise children. For an outsider, Utah can be a tough place to live.
Comments continue below
adam d | 11:48 a.m. May 6, 2008
Jazz fans. Show some class.

Cheer for Fish this time during introduction!!!!

Boo Kobe!!!!!!
Fisher Fan | 12:03 p.m. May 6, 2008
I can't fault Fisher for wanting to take care of his family. As someone earlier said, if he had gone to just about any other team (we might have had a problem if he had gone to the Rockets or Spurs), we would be cheering him when he visited Utah to play. I think we needed Fisher for that year to show some of our young team how to win and what it takes to compete. The team is better off this year for it and his absence opened up possibilities for Brewer to develop. I also think that our team is unique because of the ties that develop between players. I had no idea that the Jazz players spent time together at each others' homes after games. It seems like whenever you hear about other teams' players spending time together, its always at a restaurant. Its a whole different thing when you open your home up to other people because they see things like what's in your bathroom cabinet or what you do with your free time, or what you hold dear to your heart.
PurplePeopleEater | 12:09 p.m. May 6, 2008
To Alec's Knoll, Sloan DID see what was real--that Fisher was too talented and EXPERIENCED to be spending much time on the bench. None of our twos at that time would have done as well, in spite of their greater height advantage.

Too bad some drunk (or classless--same diff) Jazz fans feel the need to boo Fisher. It'll only make Kobe more determined to beat the Jazz in Utah's venue. Such dummies, some Jazz fans are.
Jazz Fan | 12:10 p.m. May 6, 2008
Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma is NOT widely available. The treatment had been attempted on only 14 children at Sloan-Kettering before Tatum Fisher's case was diagnosed. Since the Fisher family includes several other children, doesn't it make sense to live closer to their extended family where they can find the caregivers, love and support they need?
Derek Fisher made a difficult decision in the best interest of his family. Boo him? A standing ovation seems much more appropriate.
Jazz Fanz our Dum | 12:19 p.m. May 6, 2008
The best thing for both the Jazz and Fisher was for them to part ways. Would you rather see Fisher get minutes over Brewer, Korver, and Miles? Fisher would have continued to take valuable minutes away from our young guns and would impede their growth. The ONLY way the Jazz have a chance to win a title is to develop these young players. Would Fisher help us win a game or two during the regular season....maybe. Is Fisher the difference between winning and losing to the Lakers....NO!

The booing Jazz fans are showing their true basketball IQ, which borders on retarded. I will cheer Fisher and by doing so, cheer the decision to let him go. Not only was LHM's decision the morally correct decision, it was also one of the best basketball decisions he has made. Hooray for the FAT MAN!
Re: Alec's Knoll | 12:22 p.m. May 6, 2008
I vote for Alec's Knoll to be the new Jazz head coach. I'm sure an amazing basketball mind such as his can take us so much farther than Sloan could ever dream.

Anyone with me?
It's All About The Headband | 12:31 p.m. May 6, 2008
He just wanted to wear his headband again, that's all. That's about as good an excuse as any other posited on this board. I'm glad his daughter is healthy and well, with a good prognosis, and as for whatever else happens(ed), who really cares?
Backoff | 12:33 p.m. May 6, 2008
Let it go Utah. Your boo's should be focused on that over-rated clown Kobe who dropped more filth on the Utah fans than Jerry does during a season.

Let Fish be. Send Kobe on a vacation back to Colorado.
magnus | 12:39 p.m. May 6, 2008
I think letting Fish go was a class move by Jazz management in recognition of one of the leagues classiest guys. Fish is a role model, a great human being and a good player. Booing Fish was a classless move from ignorant fans.

That being said I think the Jazz should have recieved something for him, I mean it's not like he was untradeable. If they would have just asked Fish where he wanted to go and gone to that team (or teams) and said "look, Fisher want's to play in this town, we'll take an expiring contract or a conditional draft pick for him just make us an offer." I have a hard time believing that they couldn't have made a deal that would have worked out good for everybody. You can't fault Fish for that lack of judgement though.
Derek Fisher Class Act | 12:53 p.m. May 6, 2008
That's all anyone can say about him....especially those who know him.

If you have any questions what his year has been like look up the LA Times article (May 4, 2008. It should make a few heartless Jazz fans feel a little remorse.

Here is the part about the "booing" in November..

"Her eyes are his eyes.

When Fisher returned to Utah for his first game there as a reborn Laker at the end of November, his focused stare was wide with disbelief.

He was booed. He was booed as he'd never been booed before.

He was booed by fans who decided his request to take care of his daughter was a lie, that he left Utah only because he wanted to return to the Lakers.

This, even though he took about a $6.5-million pay cut to join the Lakers.

This, even though he wanted to bring his family back to within driving distances of trusted doctors and his wife's family.

"I honestly couldn't believe the reaction," Fisher says. "It was very hurtful. It threw me off."

A city that supposedly embraces family values booed like a legion of frauds.

"It was pretty sad," Candace says.
simple minded | 1:25 p.m. May 6, 2008
OK, seriously people...enough with the conspiracy theories, I KNOW that you can understand abstract concepts better than this. Fisher's PRIMARY doctor is in New York, however he was worried about something going wrong and having to fly several hours to get to a specialist in this SPECIFIC disease. When he was released he had a list of big cities that had specialists, so that while he kept the same primary doctor there was knowledgable help available nearby if anything went wrong. So he gets waived, Kobe reads about it calls up the GM and says "go get Fisher" and of course LA has the doctors Fisher needs, a team he knows, and a city he spent a lot of time in. END OF STORY
HEY | 1:36 p.m. May 6, 2008
Moderators, if re: Chukar | 12:50 p.m. isn't off topic, what is? Who cares about celebutards like Nicholson? The story is about Derek Fisher and the Jazz.

BTW, Fisher is a class act. Happy he's taking care of family, as well as career. Wish he was still with the Jazz. They need that spark.
Naha | 1:42 p.m. May 6, 2008
It doesn't seem right. Jazz fans boo a contributing ;player; he was admired by his community; loved by his team; and devoted to his family.

Ever wonder why some NBA players don't want to sign with the Jazz or live in Utah?
its all relative | 2:07 p.m. May 6, 2008
To the guy who says D-Will is planning to leave�

Truth is money goes farther here. A million dollars in LA or NY and you still live in a bad neighborhood or a dump.

(That's why we have so many Laker fans now living in Utah)

The argument is the big cities climate�s better, has great clubs, shopping or they don't feel like a minority.

Players can buy an incredible home in Utah for less. And have more privacy, seasons, money left over.

So what's the big deal?

The so called sponsorship deals? They still use players from Utah or San Antonio or wherever. Now with satellite & internet, geography means nothing. Exposure is instant, from anywhere.

You can't be as famous? Stockton, Malone, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker(who has a celebrity wife even though he plays in the deserts of Texas), Ginobli, D-Will and Booze are worldwide famous.

So stop crying that the sky is falling. There�s no reason D-Will and Boozer need to leave for a bigger market.
granny5 | 2:14 p.m. May 6, 2008
Well, here we go again. Booing Fisher because he left to go to the Lakers. Seems I remember that Malone left also (for the search of a ring, no family crisis - just an ego trip) did we boo Malone -no - I don't remember that he even played as a Laker against the Jazz - think he was hurt or something. But we rewarded him with a statue. Go figure! Leave Fisher alone. He did what he did for his family. I would do the same and anyone that wouldn't is not much of a man let alone a father.
Really? Cost of Living? | 2:48 p.m. May 6, 2008
hahah - Are you really trying to analyze the cost of living for how millionaires are going to spend their millions of dollars? I think that $6MM in LA isn't really that different from $6MM in SLC. Sure there are some differences but I think at that point, these players dont' sit down and calculate which city has higher gas prices, grocery commodoties etc.

Local Endorsement isn't about reach - it's about local businesses capitalizing on celebrity status. A local business in LA has greater consumer market and a higher endorsement payout than a SLC local consumer market. This isn't about how many people can see the add on TV or the internet.

As for fame? Of course you can be famous anywhere - I'm just pointing out that SLC isn't exactly the metropolitan or cultural hub of the country. No offense. Remember Fletch? People don't exactly go to Provo (or SLC) looking for a good time.

Trust me - when Boozer and Williams have contract openings they will be VERY tempted to leave to bigger markets for the same pay they can get in Utah. You may disagree but not everyone is Stockton or Malone. Just prepare yourself.
West_Coast_Air_Force_Guy | 3:02 p.m. May 6, 2008
As a Laker fan, and a father of 2 little girls, I'm obviously biased toward Fisher.

It does seem a bit strange that UTAH GLADLY stole Boozer when he agreed in principle to re-sign with Cleveland if they released him from his contract, as opposed to signing an extension. They released him, and he JUMPED at the $20 million-dollar pay raise from Utah. A simple cash grab, plain and simple.

Here, you have a complete class act in D-Fish. He flies across the country direct from watching his daughter go through a grueling treatment. ANY parent would just prefer to ball up in a corner and cry.. Instead, he sprints to the arena and saves your season by hitting a crucial 3-pointer in OT.

I honestly love my visits to Hill AFB. Reading SOME (not all) of these posts, wonder why some guys don't want to play there?

Remember the last time you Booed Fisher?

Article: Bryant said the Lakers hadn't forgotten the way Fisher was received.

"Derek's the type of guy that's not going to say anything, but I'll say it for him. He took it personally and we wanted to send a message."

Lakers Smoke Jazz 106-95
FishFan | 3:17 p.m. May 6, 2008
When Fish signed with the Lakers,they were a horrible
team, not contenders. At the time Kobe was blasting the organization & demanding to be traded. They still
had Kwame Brown as the starting center! Many experts
didn't even think the Lakers would make the playoffs.
Also Fish flatout said from the beginning that it was
either N.Y. or L.A. + taking a 6.5 million $ paycut.
Wise up!!
ID Jazz | 3:38 p.m. May 6, 2008
I posted at 10:17. Go back and read it and then bring back a post with value other than "he did it for family" "he did it as a father" or "he is a good guy". Don't say he lost money either. 6.5 mill is like me dropping a penny in the parking lot.

The two questions that no one has asked him and why I am not sure is.

1.Could you not do what your doing in LA now from Utah?
2.If the only treatment for her was the four cities back east then how come you were in negotiations with the Lakers three days later?

If it was all on the up and up then these are easy answerable questions. If not then they get swept under the carpet because what Fisher said and did were two different things. If Miller knew he was headed to LA then maybe the Jazz could of pulled a trade off some how. But he sold the fans and Miller on his good will and laughed all the way to the airport. Even good people try to get away with things if it benefits them.

The Difference | 4:31 p.m. May 6, 2008
Laker fans are obssesed with winning another NBA title, Jazz fans are obsessed with the Lakers.
owes no apology | 5:38 p.m. May 6, 2008
He's a laker! he's played with lakers and we love his hustle. He played like one or two years with the jazz and you guys are all bent. Get over it Losers.
what 's up with that | 5:41 p.m. May 6, 2008
The people that posting that they are from New York or Arizona and still reverting back to the Deseret news for news. i.e. NYJAZZFAN or SOCALLAKERFAN give me a break and go outside, if you see mountains you are in Utah.
PowHound | 5:40 p.m. May 6, 2008
I would never begrudge the guy. We'll never really know all of the things going on inside his head, but he ultimately did what was best for him and his family and most would do the same. Can't blame him for that. Worst case scenario, SLC wasn't for him just like NYC or a small town isn't for some people. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and wish him, Tatum, and family nothing but the best. Except for a second round victory over the Jazz. And his 3 pointer against Golden State is one of the most memorable plays in Jazz history.
LA rest of nation | 5:42 p.m. May 6, 2008
hates you and your fans, just live here for a couple years and you will hear and see the ridicoulis talk that comes from these fans. There is a reason people just don't like you guys. You should take the constructive criticism and change the way you look at sports and life.
Fish don't care about you . . | 5:46 p.m. May 6, 2008
He would defend Kobe over you anyday of the week. Talking like Fish is on the good (jazz) team. Please! Adn kobe is the one we should boo. Boo your ridicoulis fans and boring z-z-z-z style of play.
RE:The difference | 5:46 p.m. May 6, 2008
You hit it! perfect point
RE: FAKE ID JAZZ | 5:49 p.m. May 6, 2008
He owes you no apology! Plus what does it matter now? Really does it matter now? He's a Laker and he wants to be in LA, and yes the hospitals are better in California. Just because the state is ran by mormons doesn't make it the best.
down lakers | 5:50 p.m. May 6, 2008
he's a Laker, Kobe is a laker, Jazz fan's hate the Lakers as long as he is a laker I will continue to boo him and any other Laker. BEAT L.A.
re: it's all relative | 5:54 p.m. May 6, 2008
Thanks for that Moses, for clearing the distinction between California and Utah. I love it when Utahns try to compare the two states. My question is what is utah's infatuation with California? THey are like 10 hours apart and they are totally differnt cultures,History and diversity and everything else. someone explain this to me please. Why be such wannabees.
anon | 6:00 p.m. May 6, 2008
Come on Jazz fans, I know you're smarter than that. Fisher left a team that made it to the WC Finals for a team out in the first round. He didn't leave Utah for a "contender" at the time. AND he took less money. Wake up if they had Fish locked up at the vet's minimum and D-Will didn't progress as much as he did in 2007, Miller never would have released him. With D-Will's progress, Fish was looking like an expensive back up.
practice what you preach | 6:01 p.m. May 6, 2008
I thought the LDS members were supposed to be these forgiving people? What happened to that? It's just a game and you jazz fans who are all upset that fish left and went back to the lakers. It's only a game.
re: practice what you preach | 6:28 p.m. May 6, 2008
That's a pretty general statement. I'd say instead of LDS people being the ones that are unforgiving that instead it's those that don't know/understand the whole story behind him leaving that are upset. I know I was upset initially because of false information. But now that I know exactly the reasons for him leaving to LA, there's no way you can fault the guy. I will cheer him for the class act that he is. The NBA could use more of guys like Fisher.
Get Your Facts Straight | 6:33 p.m. May 6, 2008
Practice What you Preach: Where did you get the idea that all Jazz fans are LDS members? I would guess a large percentage of them are not LDS. And, what does religion have to do with being a fan?
Get Your Facts Straight | 6:37 p.m. May 6, 2008
Further comment: I, for one, hope that the fans cheer Fisher when he's introduced Friday night, but feel free to boo him and all the Lakers during the game! He was a major reason our team went as far as they did in the playoffs last year and I think he deserves some respect for that.
Fisher is partly to blame | 7:08 p.m. May 6, 2008
I partly blame Fisher for the misinformation provided by the media. Fisher could have easily dispelled Jazz fans' concerns about him using his daughter's illness as a way out of Utah. If he would've provided the media with the reason why he chose L.A., that a colleague of the N.Y. doctor worked in L.A., then the Jazz fans would have understood the situation. Instead he (and his wife apparently) got offended and took it personally, while he easily could have explained his situation, which only made matters worse in the eyes of Jazz fans. Personally I would never have booed Fisher but I was a little put off when I read reports that he was still traveling to N.Y. to get treatment. Nonetheless, Fisher should accept some of the blame for the lack of information provided to the Jazz fan base. With all of the media reports, Fisher's actions certainly looked and smelled fishy (no pun intended). Now FINALLY Fisher has cleared up everyone's concerns and we should respect him for his decision and wish him the best, despite playing for the hated Lakers. He is a class act and we should cheer for him, not boo him.
sparks24 | 7:54 p.m. May 6, 2008
Listen Jazz fans whether you like Fish or don't the bottom line is he wanted out of Utah. I don't hold that against him what I hold against him is that he lied about it. When the Jazz got Fish he did not even want to report to Utah. Jazz fans booing in classless but realizing what really happened is smart and a fact. Fish and his family wanted out of Utah period accept the truth
Skinner | 9:52 p.m. May 6, 2008
Utah take the high road. Show the world that we have CLASS
Old School in Augusta,GA | 10:08 p.m. May 6, 2008
Derek ~ Look at this - 90 comments on one article about you !! I think that's great, and even better-they are for the most part favorable.
If you read this, one who commented earlier called those "other folks" "trailer trash", which seemed appropriate for their behavior and apparent way of thinking.
But far be it for me to call people names(heh-heh).
When I see behavior like that I say(rather loudly),
"HEY! Act like you've been somewhere!".
Forgive them Derek, I guess alot of them haven't been anywhere, and don't know any better.
And one other thing . . . Gooooo Jaazzzzzzz!
Not a fan | 10:12 p.m. May 6, 2008
It's great Fishers daughter is doing great, but he really took advantage of the situation just to get out of Utah. How hard is it to fly to LA from Utah to see doctors?
great game! | 10:17 p.m. May 6, 2008
That game last year was unbeleivable. I was at the game and my ears are still ringing. We were going insane when Fisher walked in the tunnel. I thought my wife was going to cry. I hope the Jazz make the Conference finals so I can go to a game when I'm in Utah. Go Jazz!

Get crazy at the ESA! We need the home court advantage this series. If you're one of those 'image' people in the lower bowl loosen up a little bit. You'll enjoy the game a lot more. Maybe come to the game in a jersey instead of a suit. No-one cares what you look like down there. I sit in the lower bowl so I know that most of you guys are woried about the way you look, or you don't know anything about basketball. Just loosen up for once!
Having class | 12:21 a.m. May 7, 2008
Everyone has to admit that the Utah Jazz did the classy thing in letting Fisher out of his contract. So the question is did Fisher just want out of Utah or did he want to move for his daughter's health care. Unless you are him you really can't know his real motives, so it comes down to how each of us choose to think of him. If he did move on for his daughter he does not deserve the boo's. If he moved just to get out of Utah then the Jazz and Jazz Fans can know that at least one party acted with class. The Fans should follow the example of the franchise, act with class and let someone else judge his intentions.
It's simple, really | 12:49 a.m. May 7, 2008
He wouldn't have gotten booed if he had gone to ANY. OTHER. TEAM.
Derek | 1:50 a.m. May 7, 2008
Think of all these posts of all those that love you.

Then think of the 2/3rds more posts of people that think it was weak you weaseled out, and the moderators won't post those...

Think of all that, and think how many know you, and you'll understand it doesn't matter.

Feel lucky to be in LA there.
Wow | 2:15 a.m. May 7, 2008
Unbelievable the amount of hate that was originally generated when Fish came back to ESA. Yes, I am a die-hard Jazz fanatic. Yes, I want to see the lakers go down hard- the harder the better. But I thought we had more class than that. Basketball is a GAME. FAMILY comes FIRST!!!!!. Ok, it's the lakers. groan. But show some class. We are going to be on national TV and if we boo Fish, we are going to be continued to represent boorishness and utter lack of class.
Every deseret article i read here is so skewed, warped and hate-filled. Where does this come from?
We are better people than that. Let's show it.
Rejection | 7:24 a.m. May 7, 2008
Jazz fans just do not like feeling rejected.

While Fisher certainly seems like a class act, it is hard to say why he did not just move to New York. Having him walk away to go to another team is hard for Jazz fans to stomach.

Basketball is business. Sometimes to keep a job people need to live in cities that are not their first choice. Utah could have chosen not to release Fisher. Would they have released him if they knew he was headed to LA? They may have asked for something from LA . . they could have done a number of things, but they did what was best for him. I am sure Fisher remembers what was done for him.
Fishbreaker | 8:03 a.m. May 7, 2008
Utah has never landed a high profile player until (Fisher) He had the Class to play 1 year then he Dropped this bogus story on LHM and KOC. Fisher can get a flight out of utah anytime he wants. Just as a Reminder Boozer was a way from his family for months. I'm not saying thats Right, but at least he aint a quiter. He don't quit on his Teammates.
Jazz fans Fill the ESA with BOOS on Friday night it really makes you feel better.
P.s. We always boo Kobe
We all know... | 8:23 a.m. May 7, 2008
Yes we all know that the reason people don't want to move to Utah is because of how we treat ex-Jazz millionaires who want to get out of the state for whatever reason.

Get a grip, people.

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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Derek Fisher, center, shares a laugh with former Jazz teammates Deron Williams and Andrei Kirilenko during Sunday's Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

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