推 sam369: 07/26 19:25
Fisher enthusiastic about joining Jazz
Tuesday, July 25, 2006 1:04 PM CDT
Chuck Nunn/Jazz Session
The Utah Jazz's highest-profile move this offseason was completed this past
Friday as the team introduced 6-1 guard Derek Fisher, recently acquired via
trade from the Golden State Warriors, to the media.
The interest generated by this trade grew over what appeared to be Fisher's
initial reaction to being sent to Utah and his apparent delay in reporting
for his physical.
But there are a couple of things to take note of surrounding that delay.
First off, Fisher's reaction had more to do with the fact he had been
traded to anyone, much less the Jazz.
And as far as the delay in reporting for his physical, Fisher and his wife
recently welcomed newborn boy and girl twins into the world ─ and I can tell
you from my own experience how much time that can demand, especially early on.
The Derek Fisher who spoke in Salt Lake City on Friday was anything but
reluctant or dismal about joining Utah, foreseeably for the duration of
the four years and more than $26 million remaining on his contract.
"This is an exciting day for me for several reasons," Fisher told reporters.
"I've played this game for a very long time. I've been fortunate, and I've
been part of some great teams, and I've been in great situations. This is
exciting because it presents new beginnings, it presents new challenges, it
presents a lot of great things about this game."
A 10-year veteran, Fisher joins recently re-signed Matt Harpring as elder
statesmen on a team full of young up-and-comers like Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos
Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Deron Williams. And while it might just be a case of
saying the right things about your new teammates, Fisher expressed satisfaction
with the caliber of Utah's players and its organization.
"I like the team we have, I really do," Fisher said. "I think we have a very
good basketball team. This organization has always stood for professionalism
and doing things the right way, and that's what I've been about my entire
career.
"I'm looking forward to working with not just coach (Jerry) Sloan but our
entire staff. I'm looking forward to spreading myself out in this community."
One thing that Fisher and Jazz vice president of basketball operations Kevin
O'Connor both touched on is that with this acquisition, Utah has its eye
firmly set on making the playoffs in 2007.
"I definitely want to come here and help that 41 become, you know, the
impossible, which a lot of people sometimes don’t think can be done,"
Fisher said, referring to Utah’s 41-41 record in 2005-06. "But this team
can win. We can be one of the best teams in the Western Conference and one
of the best teams in the NBA."
O'Connor cited Fisher's ability to step up in the postseason as one of the
things that interested the Jazz in trading for him.
"Let me just go over one stat about Derek that stands out," O'Connor said.
"In eight years in the playoffs, he shot 43 percent from beyond the arc.
Great players seem to be able to compete better on a bigger stage. We hope
that Derek helps us get to that bigger stage and can take us a bit further
than we've been."
And Fisher seems to already be on track to show up at fall camp in great
condition, something that is a top priority with his new coach.
"I've been working hard for the past six weeks," Fisher said. "And I'm in
the best physical condition of my life, with another eight to ten weeks to
go before I start to go to work."
While Fisher's exact role with the Jazz will be determined this fall, it
does appear that he's just the latest part in what's shaped up as a great
offseason for Utah.
Contact Chuck Nunn at cnunn@southidahopress.com or feel free to blog this
column at www.southidahopress.com online.
http://www.southidahopress.com/articles/2006/07/25/sports/local/1jazzsess.txt
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