Rumor Derek Fisher Working Out For Potential NBA Comeback

[Boob-No-More]

Has any player ever retired, began coaching, got fired, then made a comeback as a player before?

Lenny Wilkens almost qualifies. He was a player/coach with Seattle for three seasons from 69-70 through 71-72. Got traded to Cleveland, as a player (made the all start game), and fired as a coach prior to the 72-73 season. He played in Cleveland for two seasons and then was sold to the Blazers where he served as player coach for the 74-75 season, after which he retired as a player and became a full time coach.

So, his career progression was player -> player/coach -> player -> player/coach -> coach without any gaps in between.

Player/coaches were pretty common back in the 1950s and 1960s. Bill Russel was the most successful example and the only player coach to win an NBA championship. He actually won two (1968 and 1969) and was an all star as a player in both of those seasons as well.

BNM

 

[-Ace-]

Lenny Wilkens almost qualifies. He was a player/coach with Seattle for three seasons from 69-70 through 71-72. Got traded to Cleveland, as a player (made the all start game), and fired as a coach prior to the 72-73 season. He played in Cleveland for two seasons and then was sold to the Blazers where he served as player coach for the 74-75 season, after which he retired as a player and became a full time coach.

So, his career progression was player -> player/coach -> player -> player/coach -> coach without any gaps in between.

Player/coaches were pretty common back in the 1950s and 1960s. Bill Russel was the most successful example and the only player coach to win an NBA championship. He actually won two (1968 and 1969) and was an all star as a player in both of those seasons as well.

BNM

That was the only person I had really thought of, but I was trying to avoid player/coach situations. Just someone who played, then coached, then came back to play. Magic might be the only guy.

 

[Blazers Roy]

One of the top 5 floppers of all times.

 

[Chris Craig]

...what a joke! This video of his workout looks like it is playing in slow-motion

They aren't even playing D...it's obvious they are trying to make an old man look Good

 

[Haakzilla]

They aren't even playing D...it's obvious they are trying to make an old man look Good

...they failed at that too! This looks like he is going thru drills trying to teach 3rd graders how to play basketball for the first time. He'd be much better off attempting this comeback overseas in some obscure country.

 

[Boob-No-More]

...they failed at that too! This looks like he is going thru drills trying to teach 3rd graders how to play basketball for the first time. He'd be much better off attempting this comeback overseas in some obscure country.

Like Hell. Fuck that Laker!!!!

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

I hate him more than any Laker.

That's saying something with assholes like Rick Fox and Robert Horry on their former players.

If we were to sign him, I'd buy his jersey just to burn it.

Also, he's about 10 years past his prime. He must be running out of cash with all his sidepieces and baby mamas.

More like FIFTEEN years past his prime

 

[Boob-No-More]

More like FIFTEEN years past his prime

He had a prime?

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

He had a prime?

BNM

He was otherworldly in the 2001 NBA Playoffs

 

[Boob-No-More]

He was otherworldly in the 2001 NBA Playoffs

13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 3.0 apg with a barely above average PER of 15.6 is otherworldly? Yeah, he got hot from 3-point range during the playoffs, so we can probably agree those two months were the "prime" of his 18 year career.

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 3.0 apg with a barely above average PER of 15.6 is otherworldly? Yeah, he got hot from 3-point range during the playoffs, so we can probably agree those two months were the "prime" of his 18 year career.

BNM

He was on fire from 3. 52% throughout playoffs. Should've been Finals MVP.

 

[BigGameDamian]

One of the top 5 floppers of all times.

Well with all due respect flopping is part of the game now. Flopping has become a a successful strategy used in game planning. I'm sure coaches work on it in practice with some players. If Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum used the flopping strategy I'm sure we wouldn't mind.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Well with all due respect flopping is part of the game now. Flopping has become a a successful strategy used in game planning. I'm sure coaches work on it in practice with some players. If Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum used the flopping strategy I'm sure we wouldn't mind.

BS. I would absolutely mind. I already dont like it when Dame gets upset and puts his hands up in the air when he doesn't get the call. gotta rise above the standard if you really want to be great. Don't just conform.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Well with all due respect flopping is part of the game now. Flopping has become a a successful strategy used in game planning. I'm sure coaches work on it in practice with some players. If Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum used the flopping strategy I'm sure we wouldn't mind.

Let's put it this way:
If Harden was on our team, i would probably stop watching.

 

[ripcityboy]

Knowing Derek Fisher, he's missing the level of trim available to an NBA player. Matt Barnes or Tim Hardaway Jr. might take a shot at him though.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

He's only coming back to win a Best Teammate Award.

 

[riverman]

He was damnedlucky in the 2001 NBA Playoffs

FIFY

 

[Boob-No-More]

He was on fire from 3. 52% throughout playoffs. Should've been Finals MVP.

Right...

Shaq had one of the most dominant finals series in the entire history of the NBA.

Here's his numbers:
33.0 ppg, 15.8 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3.4 bpg

Here's Fisher's:
9.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.2 bpg

But Fisher deserved the Finals MVP? Right...

Never mind that Kobe also severely out played Fisher, but so did Rick Fox and Robert Horry, who both had a higher TS% than Fisher, in spite of his 3-point shooting - and they also contributed in other ways.

BNM

 

[Strenuus]

Well with all due respect flopping is part of the game now. Flopping has become a a successful strategy used in game planning. I'm sure coaches work on it in practice with some players. If Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum used the flopping strategy I'm sure we wouldn't mind.

You wouldn't because you don't understand basics.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

That reminds me......I need to pick up some Elmer's.

 

[KingSpeed]

Right...

Shaq had one of the most dominant finals series in the entire history of the NBA.

Here's his numbers:
33.0 ppg, 15.8 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3.4 bpg

Here's Fisher's:
9.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.2 bpg

But Fisher deserved the Finals MVP? Right...

Never mind that Kobe also severely out played Fisher, but so did Rick Fox and Robert Horry, who both had a higher TS% than Fisher, in spite of his 3-point shooting - and they also contributed in other ways.

BNM

Yes because every time it looked like the Sixers could get back into it, Fisher went crazy from three. You left out Fisher's shooting percentage. It was ridiculous.

 

[BonesJones]

Yes because every time it looked like the Sixers could get back into it, Fisher went crazy from three. You left out Fisher's shooting percentage. It was ridiculous.

So he hit, what, 2 threes a game? Sooo crazy.

Who built them that lead?

 

[riverman]

That reminds me......I need to pick up some Elmer's.

Pick up a couple of Foghorn Leghorn's while you're at it

 

[riverman]

Derek Fisher sucks

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Yes because every time it looked like the Sixers could get back into it, Fisher went crazy from three. You left out Fisher's shooting percentage. It was ridiculous.

Here's the comprehensive list of 3's made by Fisher in the 2001 Finals:

Game 2
33s left in 3rd to go up 10
2:09 left in 4th to go up 92-86 (stopped 6-0 run)

Game 3
made no 3's

Game 4
10:06 left in 3rd to go up 15
33s left in 4th to go up 16

Game 5
8:23 left in first to pull within 4 (10-6)
3:07 left in 1st to tie game (21-21)
11:17 left in 3rd to go up 7 (55-48)--first score of 2nd half
2:39 left in 3rd to go up 12 (78-66)--near the end of a Lakers 13-4 run
4:56 left in 4th to go up 12 (96-84)--followed Sixers 10-1 run
51s left in 4th to go up 10 (103-93)

So, you could say that the 2nd one in game 2 was crucial, although the Lakers had already scored as many points in that game as the Sixers had at the end. Aside from that, ONLY the 5th 3 he hit in game 5 matches the description you gave. In no way does one clutch 3 with 5 minutes left in a 9 point game while already up 3-1 in the series make one worthy of finals MVP.

Not even close.

 

[KingSpeed]

6 threes in deciding game was huge.

 

[Boob-No-More]

For anyone who is interested in seeing Derek Fisher in his "prime", Game 4 of the 2001 Finals is on NBATV right now.

BNM

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

How much HGH or horse roids would it take Scottie Pippen to get good enough to play for a year?

I'm sure he'd have to quit taking them for a bit before he had to get drug tested but he needs the money doesn't he?

Derek Fisher can go play in China if he needs cash.