Derek Fisher Eating Oklahoma City Thunder Bench Minutes


Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder Coach Scott Brooks has come under fire in recent weeks for the amount of playing time he’s given Derek Fisher, a man more often viewed as the beloved veteran presence during his career.

Fisher brought his five championship rings as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers to the OKC bench in late February after the Dallas Mavericks had released the vet in December. Despite gaining a reputation for knocking down jumpers over the past 17 years in the NBA, Fisher has hit an incredible cold streak with the Thunder and has now missed 18-straight shots, and counting.

“I’m obviously adjusting to a shorter role than I’m accustomed to playing,” Fisher, averaging 13.8 minutes per game with the Thunder, said via The Oklahoman. “Playing 12, 13 minutes a game, you have to be really ready to go right at it. When I go into a game, I’m not thinking just offense. As long as you’re taking good shots at the basket, I’m not worried about it, my teammates aren’t worried about it. I’ll keep taking those. I don’t know many teams that will just leave me open as time goes on.”

Fisher recorded over 14 minutes in Wednesday’s win against the Washington Wizards, compared to Thabo Sefolosha‘s 19-plus, Russell Westbrook‘s 25-plus and Kevin Martin‘s 22-plus in the 103-80 blowout. In this game the minutes didn’t hurt the Thunder in any game-changing way, but many would argue each moment he plays on the floor is hurting the Thunder — especially when it’s a Martin-Fisher backcourt unit that possesses no ability to play defense.

The Thunder visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (25-45) for a 7:00 p.m. CT tip-off tonight.

Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google


Sign Up
for the

We Recommend

Partner with USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties