Over the last few weeks, Derek Fisher has doubled as the Thunder’s backup point guard and a top candidate for the Knicks’ coaching gig. Now that OKC’s season is over, Fisher seems ready to move on. From the New York Post:
During what sounded like a farewell chat with the media at the Thunder’s practice facility, the 39-year-old Fisher acknowledged the timing isn’t perfect in terms of jumping into the coaching fray but added,’That’s how the world works nowadays.’ He said new Knicks president Phil Jackson’s involvement adds ‘layers’ to his decision.
Jackson and the Lakers are expected to pursue Fisher for their coaching vacancies. The Lakers may want Fisher for the front office. Fisher lives in Los Angeles and has four young children. Jackson said Friday there are ‘a lot of unknowns’ regarding Fisher’s willingness to move his family to New York.
When asked what intrigues him about being a head coach, Fisher said: ‘I think I’ve always — for the last decade — really felt my purpose in life and calling was to be in a leadership position or some position of impact on other people. I didn’t know if that would be philanthropic, community, business, management, continuing to play. But somehow I’ve been blessed to positively impact other people. I didn’t know how that vision would come to life.
‘Coaching allows me to positively impact other people’s lives, to help people find success when they haven’t or have, working together for common goal. That’s what I did for 33 years as a player, starting with basketball at age 6. There’s a love for helping other people. Not playing anymore — if that’s what it’s to be — coaching or being in the front office or being in a role where I can positively impact others and work together for a common goal is exciting to me.’
