I Was Never a Fan Of His, But Now I Am
Growing up in Boston, you don’t root for the Los Angeles Lakers. In fact you root against them, their players, and their owner and hope that when they came to Boston once a year my beloved Celtics would put on a show for the world to see and “kick some butt.” Growing up, those games were always on the biggest stage–on national TV many times prior to the Super Bowl.
In 1996, the Los Angeles Lakers picked him in the 1st round with the 24th pick. He spent 8 years with the Lakers and won three NBA Championships. He isn’t a superstar. He is a nice complementary player who goes out and does whatever it takes to get his job done and put his team in a position to win basketball games. He has been playing basketball for his entire life and it is very important to him–but the most important? More to follow.
Almost a year ago, during the off season, Derek and Candace Fisher had their 4th child born–a baby girl named Tatum. Obviously this was supposed to be a happy time in their lives. Unfortunately nine months after she was born, Tatum has been diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a degenerative and rare form of eye cancer, which has required an emergency three-hour surgery and chemotherapy at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital.
During the 2007 NBA playoffs, Derek made the decision to be with his family during the surgery. Being by Tatum and supporting his family was MORE important than basketball–a game that he has played since he was a little boy and a game that has earned him millions of dollars.
Derek’s family lives in Newark, NJ and he now plays for the Utah Jazz, a team that is thousands of miles away from them. In late June he asked the Jazz to void his contract and release him, stating he needed to care for his daughter. “Basketball is not a priority,” Fisher said. “I don’t have plans to retire. I would enjoy playing the game, but there are a lot of things to consider.”
By the way, the contract he asked the Jazz to void had $21 million dollars left on it!
It is very refreshing to hear about a good guy in sports. Especially since it seems like every hour you hear about some athlete getting in trouble.
Derek…way to go!
You have a new fan in Dallas and his name is Merrill Dubrow!
July 9th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Merrill, yet again thank you for bringing another important issue to our attention. It is, as you say extremely refreshing to hear that money is not the end all and that family values still “play” a big part in one sporting family’s life!
July 9th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
It is all about priorities and it is so often that we loose track of these. It is refreshing to see someone setting there priorities correctly and more important, taking into account others besides themself.
July 9th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Merrill … I understand that little Tatum is a twin, and so far her sibling (a boy I believe) is healthy. Prayers to the family, and good for Derek Fisher for knowing life’s priorities and acting on his convictions. And, I have watched his career from the beginning … a “nice” guy in the NBA.
July 10th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Family…
Fine Assimilation Making Inroads (to) Loving Younguns.
Good call Derek! Quite a switch from that Houston Oiler back in 1995 who was NOT paid and vilified in the media for choosing to be with his wife at the time of a birth compared to being with said team. Games shall go on forever. A life is only cherished for so long.
Take care Merrill!
July 10th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Interesting topic.
Interesting that we laud a wealthy athlete for focusing on their own seriously ill child.
Consider for a moment how fortunate this man is; to be able to take the time needed to care for his daughter in addition to being able to ensure a level of care that she is most certainly entitled to; and will no doubt get. Probably with little to no worries with regard to the family finances.
Sorry, It’s a no-brainer Merrill - I’m sure he’s a great guy, but I can’t imagine any parent in his situation not doing the thing.
July 15th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Kath,
Thanks for your comments. I would be willing to bet that there is more than a handful of professional athletes who wouldn’t make the same decision Derek made. I think that is very sad and part of what is wrong with athletes of today and the money they make.
Not sure family is their number one priority.
Merrill
July 20th, 2007 at 6:28 am
Wow - I may have to change my mind.
I just read this headline on http://www.rotoworld.com.
Derek Fisher has agreed to a three-year deal worth about $14 million with the Laker’s, which he will sign if and when he clears waivers.
Other teams will have the option of picking him up off waivers, but will be responsible for his $20.5 million salary if they do. He was released from the Jazz in order to move to a city that can offer medical care for his daughter’s rare form of eye cancer. It just so happens the Laker’s desperately needed a point guard, and all indications are that Fisher will start there if this deal gets finalized.
While he did give up over $6mm over 3 years - was this MORE about playing for a better team? Was this more about starting for the Laker’s? Because the last time I checked LA is NOT on the east coast where his daughter is getting medical treatment!
Kath - maybe he made the wrong decision now in our eyes and I might not be a fan. More to follow.
Merrill