Fisher did not in any way deserve to be booed the first time he came back to Utah after signing for LA this season.
Those who booed him have showed gutter-like behavior. They must have forgotten what the Fish did for them in Game 2 against the Warriors in last year's Western Conference Semifinals.
Some say that they felt betrayed because Derek promised this, promised that. But who are we to know what exactly transpired to pass judgment? They say that Utah has Primary Children's Hospital, one of the best in child care. I would like to know, does the said hospital specialize in Tatum's condition?
Still, it is Fish's prerogative to give his child the best care possible. There are barely 6 cities in the country that can offer such services to help Fish's daughter. New York was one of them. People say that he planned to go to New York to play there as well, but somehow the Knicks are not interested in having him. LA was the (next?) best choice and in choosing the Lakers he had to make roughly an $8mil paycut to play again for LA.
So what if he allegedly broke certain promises? We're talking about his own daughter here. Any sensible father wouldn't care any less what people would say about team affiliations and promises when the issue is the health and welfare of his child.
I even heard people saying that Fisher is just using his daughter's condition to leave Utah for LA. What a heartless and insensitive comment!
The real Utah Jazz fans have class. These people were even caught by surprise when Fisher was booed in that game.
I hope they take it upon themselves to rectify what has happened last time and show a more visible form of appreciation this coming Game 3 in their own homecourt.
It is the right thing to do...
...and it's something any decent fan should do given what the other type of fans did last time.
Brooklyn Decker
Tori Praver
NFL's Quadruple Threats
Back in Time: October 13
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Yeah, keep in mind, the Jazz were much better than the Lakers last year, and with the mess the Lakers were in over the summer, you certainly couldn't have argued that Fish was leaving for greener pastures at the time he signed with the Lakers.
The guy's been the definition of the words "professional" and "classy", with the only knock on him that I can remember is that he has a skill and tendency to flop.
Utah fans certainly weren't complaining when he jumped on a plane hours after his daughter's procedure to show up just in time to hit a key 3 if I recall correctly.
Fish deserves the benefit of the doubt on this one. Who among those booing wouldn't do what they thought was in the best interest of their kid if they were in a his shoes. Basketball is just a game, folks. His daughter's situation is real life. My guess is, you Jazz fans can boo him all you want. I'm sure he sleeps just fine at night after he kisses his daughter good night, because he feels he did the right thing.
perfect360
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (848)
I hope I can go to the thursday night game, i would bring a sign to thank him. I was shocked when the boos went down in SLC for Fiaher. When the Lakers were back in utah they destroyed the Jazz on TNT and after the game they interviewed Kobe and he said its because they booed fisher and I wanted to play my best.
Its really dumb how Fisher was disrespected, even though he only spent a year in Utah he will always be remembered as having one of the most dramatic games ever in SLC.
1- Stockton hitting the 3 over Houston in 1997 to send the jazz to the finals for the first time.
2- fisher coming back from New York in Game 2 of the Warriors Series to hit the game tiying 3 to send it to overtime.
The Picture of Fisher pointing to the sky (thanking god) is a classic and its on my profile if you dont know what I mean.
Joe Dew
Idaho Falls , ID
Total Comments (3514)
You know what would be more appalling and classless? Jazz fans cheering for a Laker.. I'm not a Utah fan, but I have family who lives there that are big fans so I'm very aware of the entire situation. Regardless of what happened or what didn't, Jazz fans will cheer the Jazz and boo their opponents, especially the Lakers whom fans consider their biggest rival. Fans will boo Kobe, Odom, and every other Laker, Fisher included. It shouldn't be expected of any fan to cheer for someone other than their team. Don't try and put a reason to the booing, because it's simple. Fisher doesn't play for the Jazz and therefore Jazz fans will not cheer for him.
peterpanning
American Fork , UT
Total Comments (2)
@peterpanning: I hear you, dude. The thing is, there is a difference between cheering and clapping during introductions for some form of appreciation. Minnesota fans gave KG a round of applause last time he was at the Timberwolves homecourt. KG felt the love, you know what I'm saying? T-wolves fans weren't cheering for a Celtic or the Celtics, they were just welcoming and thanking someone who gave them the best years of their home team.
Just a round is enough. It would be over dramatic if they clapped for Fisher each time he touches the ball or make a play. A token of appreciation is all I'm hoping for.
And no, I'm not saying these just because I'm a Laker fan. If the team was reversed, I expect Laker fans to do the same right thing.
FoulDwimmerlaik
Total Comments (34)
Kudos to you, Joe drinks Dew. One of them classy Jazz fans.
FoulDwimmerlaik
Total Comments (34)
Peterpanning, it would have been one thing if the Jazz fans were booing the Lakers collectively as a whole. In that sense, I totally agree with you. But they singled Fisher out. As perfect360 noted, this guy is one of the classiest and most professional ballplayers out there right now, and despite only being in Utah for a year, he did a lot for that team.
Maybe he did break some promises, but as far as I know, the only person whose promises are guaranteed is God. And on top of that, Fisher's promise to care for his own daughter clearly outweighs any promises he might have made to a basketball franchise.
pennwjr
Columbia , SC
Total Comments (33)
I don't think Peterpanning was there during that game for him to see the difference between booing Fisher alone or booing the Lakers collectively, Fisher included.
That's right, pennwjr... right between the eyes.
FoulDwimmerlaik
Total Comments (34)
And now, Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post is saying the same thing:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24533897/site/21683474/
I hope the Jazz fans in general behave appropriately this time.
FoulDwimmerlaik
Total Comments (34)
Foul-Couldn't agree more with this post. DFish is the epitome of class.
Ronald of Larchmont
Los Man Ramgeles, CA
Total Comments (29)
Exactly. What these people failed to notice was that LA back then was hardly a "greener pasture." The Lakers lost miserably in the playoffs, Kobe wanted a trade, etc.
Fish never abandoned the Jazz...
... he just had to do what real men should do...
... take care of the family.
FoulDwimmerlaik
Total Comments (34)
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