Derek Fisher Believes Lakers Star’s History Could Lead to Big Performance Against Rockets

Published 11/19/2023, 10:01 PM EST

It’s the cycle of an NBA pro to go against a former teammate. If you ask Derek Fisher, it’s going to serve his former team well today. As the Los Angeles Lakers are up against the Houston Rockets, they can count on a former goon to turn the tide. Christian Wood is posting some good stats off the bench. But today is his time to shine.

After playing with the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers signed Christian Wood ahead of the 2023-24 regular season. As the Rockets are in Crypto.com Arena, he’s about to see his former teammates as opponents this time. Former Lakers legend, Derek Fisher puts the feeling Wood might be experiencing in a different perspective.

Derek Fisher has his eye on a former Rocket star

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“When you see that jersey color that you used to wear, and now you’re going to match up against it…,” Fisher said on Spectrum SportsNet, “It’s a special socks on that one.”

The player-turned-coach was hoping for a clash of friends-turned-foe. He wanted Wood to pull up his socks and hash it out with the Rockets. After all, it’s his current teammate, LeBron James and Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant who embody, “Friends compete harder against one another.”

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Can’t blame Derek Fisher for wanting a thrilling showdown from his team. He spent the majority of his career with the Lakers and won his five championships alongside Kobe Bryant. He’s played in other NBA teams too and he understands the thrill of facing off against former teammates. But he’s keeping a close eye on the Lakers.

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Derek Fisher still counts on LeBron James

Fisher was last coaching the Knicks and the WNBA team, the Los Angeles Sparks. But he’s a frequent analyst in NBA broadcasts when it comes to Lakers coverage. On the same Spectrum SportsNet show last week, he was awed by LeBron James in his 21st year. “He’s clearly rewriting the history books,” he declared, elaborating how James is proving age is just a number.

He’s hoping that James remains healthy and continues to break scoring records. But he also hopes that the team learns to be less dependent on their star player and that others on the roster – like perhaps Christian Wood – get more playtime.

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Whether the Lakers live up to Fisher’s expectations or not remains to be seen. They’ve bounced back from the defeat to Sacramento in two games this weekend. But the five-time champion is hoping for a better rotation. Do you agree with Coach Fisher?

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I was 7 when I saw 'Space Jam' but didn't know till the third rewatch the lead actor is actually a living basketball legend. It was while studying journalism that my friend would go on about the Warriors from Golden State. Keen on athletes' personas outside their arenas, it was Stephen Curry's confidence and philanthropy that drew me to follow the news on NBA pros and explore sports media.

Edited by:

Pragya Vashisth

Derek Fisher Believes Lakers Star’s History Could Lead to Big Performance Against Rockets

Derek Fisher has his eye on a former Rocket star

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