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Fisher, 37, has helped the Lakers win two games, hitting a last-second three-pointer against Dallas and diving for a loose ball late against Denver. His stats, though, are down to 5.4 points and 26 minutes a game after he averaged 6.8 points and 28 minutes last season. His three-point touch has also suffered, down to 27.5% after 39.6% last season. "I don't feel that I'm physically struggling and having a difficult time playing," Fisher said. "I have a particular role with my team and I try to fill it to the best of my ability. We could win some more games regardless of how I'm playing. Then things would be a lot better." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher 

Chris Palmer: Suns open to trading Steve Nash. How about for Derek Fisher and Metta World Peace? Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Derek Fisher, Steve Nash, Metta World Peace 

Dave McMenamin: Heard from the stands: "You're a traitor, Fisher!" You'd think Fish making sure there actually was an NBA season would earn forgiveness Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Derek Fisher 

Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher aren't as dissimilar as it might seem, even when they initially appear to be polar opposites. Everyone obviously knows about the differences in talent, leadership styles and personalities. The common thread Bryant and Fisher share in work ethic and toughness is well documented. Mix all those ingredients and it's apparent why they've won all five of their NBA championships together. But it's apparent that their respective styles have also translated into their recent shoe ads. In Fisher's recent Adidas ad, he touts the adizero Crazy Light Low shoes debuting Feb. 1 in a straightforward and comprehensive manner. In Bryant's recent Nike ads, he touts the Kobe System in a short series of commercials featuring numerous celebrities and Bryant's biting sarcasm in 30-second bursts. Plenty will prefer Bryant's ads for those reasons. But Fisher's ad is just as effective simply because it also captures his persona in a nutshell. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Sneakers 

As in: File away Horford's name as a likely down-the-road top contender to succeed the Lakers' Derek Fisher as president of the players' union. The stately Fisher was elected president of the players' union in 2006 and had a more visible and prominent role during the five-month lockout than any of his predecessors has ever taken on. Although he had to weather criticism over his perceived closeness to NBA commissioner David Stern, Fisher generally earned strong reviews for his contributions to ultimately getting a deal done to save the season, which is why he'll presumably be asked by his peers to carry on as president in the short term. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher, Al Horford, David Stern, NBPA 

But when Fisher has had enough -- he has two years left on a four-year term after re-election in 2009 -- word is that Horford will draw strong consideration as his successor. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher, Al Horford, David Stern, NBPA 

Janis Carr: "Cant win one regular season game or preseason game and call it a rivalry," Fish said. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher 

Kobe Bryant didn't score 40 points. The Lakers almost didn't score at all in the third quarter. And yet, everything was fine for the home team. Bringing new meaning to Bryant's early-season prediction they'd win a lot of games the ugly way, the Lakers outlasted the Dallas Mavericks, 73-70, on Monday night at Staples Center. In a long, slow roundabout way, this was what Derek Fisher had in mind when he got his teammates together at Monday morning's shoot-around and reminded them of what happened last May. That would have been a four-game sweep by the Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals, including a 122-86 embarrassment for the Lakers in the finale. Los Angeles Times

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher 

Fittingly, Fisher was the catalyst Monday, 37 years old and all. His three-pointer with 3.1 seconds left turned out to be the game-winner, a 26-footer from the right side after everybody in the arena thought Bryant would be the shooter. Instead, Bryant passed the ball back to Fisher after drawing a double team. "I don't think he knew I was going to shoot it, but he trusted me to make the right play," Fisher said. Los Angeles Times

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher 

“It’s what I do,” Fisher said, an huge ice bag on his left knee. “When opportunities like that present themselves, you know, I’m confident in my abilities to just step up and make the right play, whether it’s making the shot or making the read that creates something for someone else. “My experience in having played for this team for so many years, I’ve been in so many big games, I feel I have a responsibility to the team, to not be afraid to step up and make big plays.” Orange County Register

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher 

Fisher has tried catching up on his conditioning after his off-season centered on his role as NBA Players Assn. president during the protracted labor negotiations. Brown's strong- corner offense requires more speed than the 37-year-old can usually provide, but Fisher hasn't started in 505 consecutive games by accident. Addressing the issue of fatigue, Fisher said: "I haven't missed a game in quite some time, so you might want to check with someone else on that question." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher 

This time, Fisher's shot didn't go in yet it still provided another mark in his storied history as a clutch performer. His three-pointer at the end of the 24-second shot clock rimmed out, but FIsher raced all the way to other side of the court to call timeout. He grabbed the ball and immediately called timeout with 2:29 remaining in the game. It marked what Coach Mike Brown said became "probably the most key play of the game" in the Lakers' 92-89 victory Saturday over the Denver Nuggets. That's because the Lakers remained tied with Denver at 89-89, and set the tone for what would transpire next. Andrew Bynum's alley-oop lob that represented part of his 29 points and gave the Lakers' a 91-89 lead with 1:52 left.Steve Blake chased down Danilo Gallinari that prevented him from making a game-tying layup. The Lakers closed out enough that Denver forwarrd Al Harrington hardly had a good look in his missed a game-tying three-pointer before time expired. "That's Derek," Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said. "That's how you win championships by making plays like that." Los Angeles Times

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher 

It's also how Fisher maintained longevity and ensured his 500th consecutive start. "A hustle play in a lot of ways symbolized who I was coming into this league, who i've tried to be my 16 years in and probably what I'll be remembered as going out," Fisher said. "I was a guy who was willing to do whatever it takes for his team to win. It doesn't look great all the time. But I won't be as big of a name. But I'll always find a way to help my team in more times than not." Los Angeles Times

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher 

The Lakers on Monday were unable to get big enough efforts from either of their All-Stars, Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol. Bryant (torn ligament in right wrist) and Gasol (sprained right shoulder) weren’t in their best shooting shape, and Gasol (15 points) was a non-factor early as the Lakers fell behind by nine at halftime. Asked about his shoulder after getting further treatment postgame, Gasol shrugged, looked back and said: “It’s still there.” Bryant never got hot. Despite turning to physical therapist Judy Seto for some help on the bench late in the third quarter, Bryant shot 10 for 24 from the field to get his 29 points and missed all four of his 3-point shots. The Lakers were a combined 1 for 16 on 3-pointers, with Derek Fisher missing three, including a key one in the fourth quarter. Lakers coach Mike Brown was most upset about the “very bad” pick-and-roll defense that gave Sacramento straight lines toward the hoop. Kings guard Marcus Thornton had 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting. About the defense, Bryant said: “It’ll kick in. I’m not sure when." Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Mike Brown, Marcus Thornton 

Beto Duran: Brown "Derek Fisher will be my starting point guard" Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher 

"Having some resolution that Chris and the team can live with is better overall," Fisher said Wednesday. "Approaching the start on Christmas Day, it's important that we get as much focus on the court as possible. I think our fans are pretty fed up with all of the contract talk and labor talk and disagreement. They want to see some players on the court soon, and hopefully this will get at least the respective teams involved in this deal with a focus on the court." Orange County Register

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Derek Fisher 

Kevin Ding: Fisher on folks wanting CP3 to replace him: "My experiences over the summer have thickened my skin pretty much to an indestructible level." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Trade, Chris Paul, Derek Fisher 

Kevin Ding: Fisher: "There's not really a feeling in the gym or around the locker room that something major is still coming." http://bit.ly/vK1Jjs Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Trade, Derek Fisher 

It was so weird, Kobe Bryant seemed almost speechless at times. "I've been here 16 years and seen a lot of crazy [things]," he said, shaking his head. It was so strange, Derek Fisher's playing time might have been temporarily saved by Stern's veto, but he opposed the veto because of his union sensibilities. "I disagree with the commissioner holding up a trade," said Fisher, the players' union president. "It flies in the face of the months we spent negotiating a collective bargaining agreement." It was so raw and unsettling, Bynum openly wondered if he was going to be traded next. "If I'm here tomorrow, it's going to be great," he said. "If I'm not, it's still going to be great." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom 

"He can do whatever the hell he wants," Bryant said of David Stern. "He's the commissioner." Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, David Stern