I had Derek Fisher in my limo while he was here in Las Vegas checking out the summer league. He seemed like a super nice guy, not at all a “I’m a celebrity” attitude. I told him I was a Rocket fan and asked him why when he traded to Houston why didn’t he want to play for the Rockets. He said first off he didn’t like way the trade went down, mostly the way the Lakers handled it, and that made him angry. Second he had only one year left on his contract and he didn’t think the Rockets were title contenders, (he was right about that), and didn’t want to finish his career on a non-contender. He told me he never does anything halfway and he felt his heart just wasn’t in it to play for Houston and told the Rockets he wouldn’t feel right taking their money if he felt he couldn’t go all out for them. Also he didn’t feel the team was a good fit for him at the time. Derek told me he loves Texas and has family in Houston, Dallas and Waco and had no problem with ownership or management or the coaches. He said if he knew he was going to play another 3 or 4 years, which he ended up doing, he probably would have played for the Rockets but he thought it was going to be his last year. I know this isn’t exactly earth shattering news, it’s the same story that was going around at the time, but I heard it directly from him and I believe him. He said he thanked Les Alexander for helping him out because he knows some teams/owners would have just made him stay and play. So there you go…I didn’t drive him off the Grand Canyon or clothesline him for Scola or mention Matt Barnes…I’m a professional, but I did get some closure on the Rockets thing.
Closure. Glad we didn't have to see him in a Rox uni Would have been like seeing Adolph Hitler wrapped in stars and stripes Just wouldn't be right
Clearly OP is a better person and more professional man then most of us. Personally, If I was in your position...I would have drove the limo to a empty parking garage, locked Fisher in the car, called Matt Barnes and told him to come and get his b**** ass.
I believe him, too. He ended up with OKC, a tile contending team that went to the Finals around that time. Great story, OP.
D Fish and a 1st round draft pick came to Houston D Fish later went to OKC, as did the draft pick.. For getting James Harden from OKC.. Thanks for the salary match, bruh
