Derek Fisher

Derek Lamar Fisher is a professional basketball player currently signed with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on August 9, 1974.

Fisher entered the 1996 NBA Draft and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the 24th overall pick. After spending six seasons with the team, alongside superstars Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, he was awarded the starting point guard position in 2002. However, the team's acquisition of Gary Payton in the 2003 - 2004 season, pushed Fisher to the bench.  He only started 3 in the 82 games he played.

In 2004, as a free agent, Fisher joined the Golden State Warriors for a guaranteed role as the team's starting point guard. However, without a go-to man like O'Neal or Bryant, Fisher's game collapsed and his two seasons with the Warriors became somewhat of a disappointment. The acquisition of Baron Davis in 2005 reduced him to playing off the bench again for the remainder of his contract.

He was traded to the Utah Jazz on July 12, 2006. He played for the team for one full season. On July 2, 2007, in the light of his daughter's illness, Fisher asked the Jazz to release him from his contract.

On July 19, 2007, Fisher rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers and was given the role as starting point guard. He rejoined Kobe Bryant and provides veteran influence on the relatively young Lakers squad.