Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 11:00 am  |  22 responses

Derek Fisher: Phil Jackson Under-Appreciated in LA

D-Fish sticks up for his coach, who’s mulling retirement, and who according to the veteran (and free agent) guard, may not be getting the kind of love he deserves from his own front office. From ESPN: “It’s sad to me,’ he said, ‘when you think about what he’s accomplished in his career, that he still always has to deal with these type of scenarios where there’s a question of whether or not he’s the best person for the job, or he’s not really coaching because of the players that he’s had. He’s just a remarkable human being in terms of his approach to managing and coaching the team. I think not even just the Lakers, but the NBA as a whole, would lose a big part of what this game has been about the last 20 years if he’s not back. If he’s not back, it changes the whole landscape.’ Fisher said he and Jackson did not discuss the issues that will influence Jackson’s decision, but said he could empathize with rumors that Jackson might be asked to take a pay cut if he returns. ‘As much as it is about his quality of life and how he’s feeling, his energy levels,’ Fisher said, ‘I think his decision could be easier if he wasn’t maybe feeling as though he’s not being fully appreciated, which is how it ultimately makes you feel.”‘

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  • jumpman3224 Posted: Jun.29 at 11:03 am
    cosign @derekfisher. For where PJAX ranks in terms of coaches (#1) he does not get the love/recognition that goes with that.

  • jumpman3224 Posted: Jun.29 at 11:05 am
    Also – I got a new nickname for DFISH (which I’m officially calling dibs on if he ever were to show up in the Slam naming contest)….Handful. As in how many rings he’s got and the hard time he gives defenses in the clutch.

  • kh Posted: Jun.29 at 11:18 am
    I concur.

  • cramzy Posted: Jun.29 at 11:20 am
    i never got the whole paycut thing when you talking about Phil Freaking Jackson. 11 rings?!!!!!Cut the check Jerry Buss!

  • LDR4 Posted: Jun.29 at 11:24 am
    When has anyone in LA ever appreciated anyone not named Kobe or Magic. They are just spoiled out there. When Phil leaves they will learn to respect what he has done.

  • LDR4 Posted: Jun.29 at 11:36 am
    What?! LA take somethong for granted? Never. They dont appreciate anyone who’s name isnt Kobe or Magic. They will learn to respect Phil when he leaves.

  • Brion Posted: Jun.29 at 12:11 pm
    I got a better nickname…..DFLOP.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Jun.29 at 12:34 pm
    It’s like the Bulls all over again, Phil STILL can’t get the damn respect he deserves.

  • Conduit Posted: Jun.29 at 12:41 pm
    “It’s like the Bulls all over again, Phil STILL can’t get the damn respect he deserves.” -Enigmatic

  • Klav Posted: Jun.29 at 12:52 pm
    Well, on another note…where is the love for Tex Winter? If it wasn’t for him, would Phil even have a few championships?

  • FAT JOE Posted: Jun.29 at 1:13 pm
    “D-Fish Sticks” hahah

  • Enigmatic Posted: Jun.29 at 1:17 pm
    CO-SIGN Klav to the fullest! How the HELL has the artichect of the triangle offense been dismissed as just another Jackson assistant all these years? he has yet to make the hall of fame too! When Jackson became the head coach of the Bulls, the plan was to pair up an unproven, unknown coach with a wily veteran one and the result was championships. From what I’ve seen, Phil has been quick to praise Winter, but the NBA hasn’t been as generous.

  • DreXnaW21 Posted: Jun.29 at 1:35 pm
    Phil Jackson will forever be the greatest coach in NBA History!! All because of MJ & Kobe for their passion and dedication to the game. With or without Phil Jackson i still believe they can do a three peat.

  • JL Posted: Jun.29 at 2:50 pm
    lol @ brion.. dflop… but seriously the flopping that dfish employs is just a tactic to counteract the pushing, shoving, and moving screens that go on. pro players try to get every advantage they can. it’s never just hey let’s play a fair game and be happy with the results. everyone has their style to achieve maximum advantage.

  • The Seed Posted: Jun.29 at 3:39 pm
    Phil gets respect, Tex Winter doesn’t and Scottie Pippen. They don’t get respect. Phil is consider greatest coach ever. Its a recession yall, give the Lakers a break. The bulls broke up the Bulls dynasty, so what they didn’t respect MJ. Fisher just shut up and win titles with Kobe, before they bench you for good.

  • Negetivekreep Posted: Jun.29 at 5:17 pm
    I like “D-swish” (in the playoffs) lol @ Brion, not as funny as “RuPaul Pierce” though. I’d like to think givin the guy 12 mil a year as well as letting em’ bang your daughter is very generous…

  • nastierthanu Posted: Jun.29 at 10:48 pm
    Pay the man. If it aint broke don’t fix it.

  • T-Money Posted: Jun.30 at 1:27 am
    i don’t care how much you’re making, taking a pay cut is never cool. it signals that you’re nice but not that nice, and we could do without you.

  • Bdub Posted: Jun.30 at 3:01 am
    Lol @ negative creep. Fair point. Love that name too.

  • Chukaz Posted: Jun.30 at 3:40 am
    Under appreciated n overpaid r never a good combination. I wonder if Jackson prefers unemployed to underpaid?

  • omphalos Posted: Jun.30 at 9:05 am
    Yeah its funny how people acclimatise to success so quickly and forget what it is to struggle. Btw, nickname for Fisher is “fish out of water” caus he’s just flopping around.

  • D00M Posted: Jun.30 at 12:17 pm
    YOU MY BOY BLUE!!

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