Boos for Fisher quite surprising
Like Derek Fisher, I was surprised at how boisterously he was booed during Friday night's Jazz-Laker game at EnergySolutions Arena.
Fisher politely declined to comment on the fans' reaction to his return to Utah, but the expression on his face and his tone spoke volumes.
Last summer, the Jazz released Fisher from his contract so he could find a team in a city where his young daughter could receive specialized treatment for a rare form of eye cancer, which was diagnosed during the playoffs.
Less than three weeks after becoming a free agent, Fisher signed with the Lakers, apparently creating some ill will among Jazz fans who believe he used his daughter's illness as a way of getting out of Utah.
They recall his initial lack of enthusiasm after learning of being traded to the Jazz, they point out that the Huntsman Cancer Institute is one of the world's outstanding medical facilities, and they wonder how happy Fisher was playing out of his natural position -- point guard -- while Deron Williams emerged as a franchise cornerstone.
Listening to Fisher after the Jazz's 120-95 win, however, I will pass along my impressions.
Fisher was genuinely hurt by the fans' booing. It was not the reaction of a player guilty of treasonous behavior toward a franchise, only one who did what he thought was best for his little girl.
I think Fisher expected a warm reception.
Instead, he was hit the face with an unexpected snowball.
I asked Fisher how his daughter, Tatum, is progressing.
Smiling for the only time during a 10-minute interview with the media, he said, "She's doing wonderful [and] I'm just thankful. When I think back to where we were when we first got the diagnosis and what we were faced with 17 months ago and where we are now ...
"[She is] just truly a bundle of joy that brings a smile to my face. And that's what life is about, you know? We get caught up in other things more than we should at times, when all that really matters at the end of the day is your family and your loved ones. She's just doing great."
I think that response was intended for those who booed.
-- Steve Luhm
Fisher politely declined to comment on the fans' reaction to his return to Utah, but the expression on his face and his tone spoke volumes.
Last summer, the Jazz released Fisher from his contract so he could find a team in a city where his young daughter could receive specialized treatment for a rare form of eye cancer, which was diagnosed during the playoffs.
Less than three weeks after becoming a free agent, Fisher signed with the Lakers, apparently creating some ill will among Jazz fans who believe he used his daughter's illness as a way of getting out of Utah.
They recall his initial lack of enthusiasm after learning of being traded to the Jazz, they point out that the Huntsman Cancer Institute is one of the world's outstanding medical facilities, and they wonder how happy Fisher was playing out of his natural position -- point guard -- while Deron Williams emerged as a franchise cornerstone.
Listening to Fisher after the Jazz's 120-95 win, however, I will pass along my impressions.
Fisher was genuinely hurt by the fans' booing. It was not the reaction of a player guilty of treasonous behavior toward a franchise, only one who did what he thought was best for his little girl.
I think Fisher expected a warm reception.
Instead, he was hit the face with an unexpected snowball.
I asked Fisher how his daughter, Tatum, is progressing.
Smiling for the only time during a 10-minute interview with the media, he said, "She's doing wonderful [and] I'm just thankful. When I think back to where we were when we first got the diagnosis and what we were faced with 17 months ago and where we are now ...
"[She is] just truly a bundle of joy that brings a smile to my face. And that's what life is about, you know? We get caught up in other things more than we should at times, when all that really matters at the end of the day is your family and your loved ones. She's just doing great."
I think that response was intended for those who booed.
-- Steve Luhm
12:09 AM
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5 Comments:
Fisher because he wanted to be with his family, and his family didn't want to be in Utah.
Why do people (and you, Luhm) make this out to be a "Fisher is saving his daughter" thing? You don't think other players in the league have kids they would like to spend some more time with? If you want to spend more time with your kids, move your family nearer to your workplace.
He moved one hour away from Utah, by plane. How is L.A. closer to N.Y., where his daughter was getting treatment? The whole thing just doesn't make sense.
Luhm, by your argument, should we let Boozer out his contract so he can go sign with Miami, and then praise him for doing so?
Fisher didn't want to be in Utah, so he got booed - just like Malone did.
We are not stupid. We would believe Fisher if he would have either moved to the east coast or found a doctor in LA.
Since all he did was move further from his daughter's doctor in New York, it is very difficult to believe Fisher. It's really that simple. He did not want to be in Utah.
I am having a tough time wrapping my head around this logic.
Derek Fisher is smarter than people like Mr. Luhm and is clearly a very charming person. This is how he was able to talk his way out of his contract and convince a few people that it was because of his daughter. This ability to be convincing is probably a huge asset as president of the players association.
Jazz fans should cheer him because he bailed the organization out of having to overpay a so called "leader".
He got booed in a basketball game by fans that are not stupid.
Ross, any news of some kind of league action coming down against Phil Jackson, whose attack against NBA fans -- with presumably religious undertones, no less -- had to be worse for the league office to see than his "Brokeback Mountain" analogy of a few weeks ago?
Here's the comment, after the Jazz-Lakers game: "Of course, you have to take into account the patrons in Utah — the type of people you're dealing with. ... I think anything short of total loyalty there (is seen as a) traitor."
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