I blame the media for hyping the Fisher move and raising the ire of the public. He is a class act and took a HUGE paycut. To think he did this simply to get out UT is ridiculous.

We are so happy to hear that your little girl is doing so much better. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family. It was indeed an awesome site to experience those moments of you approaching the game and entering the court. Your playing time in those minutes were to take ones breath away. Great NBA Final moments.

After the Lakers signed him the paycut was not that much. He still has to fly to New York to have his child treated. How is L.A. closer than Utah. I feel for him and his daughter, but that does not give him a free pass to use his situation to get what he wants.

Thank you, Tim, for putting this thing in the proper perspective. Please, fellow Jazz fans, no booing Fish during the introductions or whenever he touches the ball. Boo Kobe. Fish deserves a warm welcome during player introductions.

Most of the Jazz fans I've talked to about Fisher's move to L.A. were upset because they believed Fisher was going to New York when he was released by the Jazz because that's where his daughter had initially been treated. "Now he's further away from the treatment," they typically say. Buckley kinda buried it in the story, but the Fishers found a doctor in L.A. who could provide the same treatment is a major point and quells most of the antipathy toward Fisher that Jazz fans hold. And it cures some of the misinformation Jazz fans have about the Fisher ordeal.

Also, Fisher got unjustly blamed for the transgression of Rony Seikaly, Derek Harper and others who refused to play in Utah. Look, we're the only NBA locale where multiple players have refused trades to not play at a location. Naturally we have a complex about that. But I do not now, nor have I ever, thought Fisher moved to leave the state. His departure cleared the way for Brewer to develop and for the acquisition of Korver and freed up $21m to be used to sign D-Will long-term. So he really did us a favor. It's a win-win!

What would you do if it happen to you? Would you take a 6.5 million pay cut and move around the country? Do you know what is like to have this happen you your child? Only those with kids and love their kids can answer that.
So keep booing and show the rest of America the type of trailer trash you are or become human and say, ' I would have done the same thing'. Most of the NBA fans are shock at what the Utah fans have done.

Fisher Lover - Laker Hater!

What a great story and what a great spirit in Derek Fisher. I think this story puts to bed all those irresponsible news stories that suggested Derek took advantage of the good will of Larry Miller.

On the other hand, Derek, as a man of faith I'm sure you've heard of that saying that goes, "hate the sin but love the sinner." I hope you'll understand if the Jazz fans continue to love you but hate the uniform you are now wearing. It's just one of the facts of life and those feelings started long before you ever got to Los Angeles. Best of luck to you and your family but I'll be rooting against the Lakers, at least in this round.

I also blame the media for putting imaginative ideas in the minds of JAZZ fans about Fisher's decision. I think Fisher's a great person. And anybody who puts his family first is OK in my book! I'm not a Laker fan, but I do admire and respect Derek Fisher!

Jazz fans, and Utah sports fans in general seem to only be happy if they are whining about something and if they have someone to abuse.

Please guys, quit embarrassing our state and our culture and show some class.

I have a lot of respect for Fisher and I am happy to hear things are going better for his little girl. Instead of everyone second guessing everything he did we should respect the fact that he is doing everything he can for his little girl. I am a huge Jazz fan and I can't stand the lakers but Fisher has my respect. He stood up for his family when most in the NBA don't. That being said I hope the lakers fall flat on their faces and the Jazz move forward to the next round. Go Jazz!

What a classy guy. Good luck to him and his family.

I don't only think this whole booing issue is media related but they should be held totally responsible for most of it. Most of our discontent in this country is driven by the same bunch of Greed seekers. Spin, sensationalize, and hype is what the media does , both print and broadcast. It's all about readers or viewership that drives up advertising cost--which are bottom line profit for the media. I get so sick of these weak sisters and their practice that I have choose to tune it out. Someday people will wake up and consider what the media is all about--- MONEY & GREED.

I still think he used his daughter to get where he wanted to be. You have to look through the haze and teary eyes. Chuck Barkley said it best, "there are great doctors in Seattle, New York, or Miami". I don't buy it even at the risk of being called callous or cold hearted. I know it was all about being in L.A. and having a better chance at another ring. Jerry West giving up Pau Gasol was another sham, these Laker Fakers are flim flam men.

You people crack me up: "THE MEDIA CONTROLS OUR MINDS." Get a grip.

Oh that was such a touching story tears are running now. It sounds like Utah is a sweet place to be Which it is, So Why would Fisher leave and go back to LA. They must have family in LA, because we all know Primary Childrens Rocks We have just as good Doctors as LA, I think KOBE called Begging PHIL called Begging BUSS called Begging, and a soft hearted Miller let him off.
Fish your awesome, but when you put on Purple and Gold I will Use The B word. Boo BOO BOOO bOOOO. Thats what happens when you leave a contender for a contender.

Utah hates Fisher because he went to the Lakers. It just reminds them of Malone leaving Utah to play in LA and it makes Utah feel like the Lakers just took one more thing away from them.

Jazz fans also seem to forget that Boozer left Cleveland hanging to go to Utah. He left for the same money just because he didn't like playing in Cleveland. He's considered a traitor by Cavs fans and yet Utah welcomes him with open arms. So basically, Jazz fans are fine as long as it works out in their favor - so much for principles.

Speaking of which, someone complained yesterday about stars like Kobe getting unfair treatment by the refs and said it was wrong for this to happen. They then said, in the same paragraph, that they could hardly wait til next year when D Williams would be considered a full star and would get preferential treatment. Again. . . it's okay as long as it works for the Jazz - so much for principles.

Personally I'm sick of Fish. More jazz and less Fish.

Of course the media is responsible. Half the reason this article was even written was to try to atone for their big mistakes previously that caused the Jazz fans to be so redneck when Fisher came back the first time. Now they realize that they better try to do something so we don't make more of a fool out of our State. Thus, we have articles like this trying to aleviate the animosity they so willingly fostered initially.

I don't really blame Fisher for continuing his career. The blame should lie with the Jazz management for not realizing that Fisher would want to keep playing. Why not at least get a draft pick or something out of the deal instead of just giving him away? Even though it is almost a year in the past (and nearly time to move on to something else), I can't believe that the Jazz let him go without trying to get something in return.

Im glad that a lot of you feel like I do, about Fisher being a man with high character. But there is a group (hopefully small) that always seems to put a negative, nasty, mean twist to everything. They even keep dragging up old arguements that don't hold water, such as the Huntsman Ctr. (who do not treat this type of cancer)or LA being further away. Sure its further away but it has upteen more flights to get to where one needs to go. Lets show some class with Fisher and cheer him as a person.

I'm confused. Forget the fact that Fisher's daughter has a tumor in her eye and he's dealing with medical and family issues that you can't imagine. Just set that aside for a minute.

If you work in Salt Lake City and you're not a Mormon and all your friends live in LA and other cities and you had a chance to leave? I mean, you act like this is a moral betrayal. The NBA is a job just like FedEx or GE. If Fisher didn't want to live in Utah - why should he be criticized?

Fisher was a bench player for Utah who had a chance to start in LA . . . for less money . . . a lot less money. So, clearly it wasn't about the money. Was it about starting for LA? Maybe. . .
Not sure why everyone thinks he had to play for the Knicks or Nets for them to feel good. Fisher wasn't the heart and soul of the team and he was in Utah for a short time. Everyone's just mad cause it was LA. If was to the Kings, Warriors, Blazers etc no one would care.

The Jazz send Giricek away because of team chemistry issues and no one cares. No other reason than Sloan didn't like to see him in the gym. Fisher leaves and he has to have it wrapped up in a nice family story to give the Jazz fans closure . . . not sure why GMs and Coaches get away with sending players anywhere for any reason but players have to be held to a different standard. . .

Can someone explain the double standard to me?

Anonymous 7:48 - When Derek Fisher made his decision to go back to LA the Lakers didn't have Pao Gasol and, despite having this year's MVP, weren't even close to getting another ring (they got bounced in the first round of the past two years.) Jerry West was long gone from the Grizzlies when they traded Gasol so that point of your argument is also without merit. If your going to whine, at least do it with credibility.

I personally think that losing Fisher actually strengthened the Jazz. Ronnie Brewer is developing into an excellent 2-guard made possible by the absence of Fisher. Let's give Fisher credit for making the right decision to place family obove fortune and then get on with rooting the Jazz into the next round.

Even the short stint with The Jazz showed everybody who actually saw Fisher up close--or on television, that this guy is First Class. Being a lifelong Lakers fan, knowing that he was drafted the same time as Kobe Bryant--a stark contrast, even twelve years down the line with the many changes--Derek is still pretty untouchable.

I`ve been rooting against Utah for twenty of my twenty-nine years here, and moreso than this, the weirdest thing was Karl Malone coming to LA four years ago...but once he became a Laker (I`m sure you guys would prefer to not even acknowledge that tarnished excursion) I appreciated what you guys for years known about him. And am almost positive that when Derek Fisher glued together the Jazz for the 06-07 season, you knew he was a special player.

Even for a moment I thought it was sketch that Derek came back to LA, but at the time, the Lakers were on the ropes and nobody could`ve predicted what this past year was going to be like. Then I thought, "This is Fish, it`s really a family thing and wouldn`t risk his family for his career". I can`t ever see that happening.

Cleveland couldnt pay Boozer what the Jazz did. Boozer signed a contract with Utah for significantly more money.

I am grateful for a person like Derek Fisher. In a world that puts so much importance on money and fame, here is a man that puts his family needs first. Not basketball. And even if the move to LA doesn't make sense to all of us, it made the most sense to him for his family's sake.

I will always remember that playoff game as probably the most incredible game I've ever watched. I was on the top row upper deck screaming my head off when he came into the arena. What an atmosphere, there were times when I was screaming as loud as I could and I really couldn't hear my own voice. It was as enjoyable of a sporting experience as I can imagine having.

Thank you Derek for your example, and thank you for the entertainment you brought to Utah.

The bottom line is this: The Jazz are a better team with Ronnie Brewer starting than Fisher. That's not me saying Fisher sucks, it's just a statement of fact. So the Jazz came out on top regardless of why he left.

That said, I'm sick of hearing people say Jazz fans booed him because he left to provide the best care for his daughter. No, he's gotten booed because, right or wrong, a lot of people don't believe him.

How can he have a press conference one day, saying he hasn't decided where to settle for his daughter's care, then two days later he's already signing with LA? He lied.

How can you move to the West Coast, to move closer to New York?

How can (according to what was said during the game) seeing a Dr. once every 3 months be that big of a deal when you have access to a private jet?

I don't fault him one bit for wanting what's best for his daughter. I just don't believe him when he says that was the reason he wanted out.

Utah Brewer would have still been stuck on the bench. Would have not improved, problably no korver, and fisher didn't play that great last year. I think I can count the number of good games on one hand. Who cares that he left and now plays for the fakers. If he would have stayed the lakers would still be good. Brewer is way better than fisher I don't remember any 2 guards lighting up the jazz for 50+ like last year when fish was the 2 guard

yeah right: the media had nothing to do with the first round; that was the discernment of fans who smelled a rat in Fisher. He plays the sympathy card like the pro slickster he is. He and LA get along so well because it is all showboating for them. Oh boo hoo: Fisher's feelings were hurt because people booed him. How about not making such a sneaky, behind-the-back move in the first place? Watch Fisher's cheating court play: it is not different from his other decisions.

The "media" wants to suck up to the national press that is fervently in love with everything that is Los Angeles. Some people understand that. You obviously don't.

The Jazz don't need Fisher this year. Last year he was the veteran that they needed to get things done. Fisher is a class act. I feel sorry for anyone who questions his motives, that thinks that he would take advantage of an organization that stood by him and his family when they needed it most just to play with Kobe Bryant. It's not true, and I hope Fisher realizes that there are a lot of us that love him and will always remember his one-year stint with the Jazz. I believe that behind the loud boos are even more cheers.

The Moran Eye Institute right here in Utah is as skilled and as experienced as any treatment facility in the world. Fisher just wanted to pick his favored doctor who lives in LA -- it was never a scam or a dis on Utah. "Fans" are aptly named because the word is short for "fanatics." When a man makes a rational decision based upon his preferences and the team owner relents and assents to that rational decision by a player, then it's time for "fans" to stop being "fanatics" and grow up. STOP BOOING A CLASS GUY AND A CLASS ACT, EVEN IF HE IS A LAKER AT HEART. As Sloan is so fond of saying, "This isn't a matter of life and death, it's just basketball." The matters of life and death with which Coach Sloan is all too familiar have always trumped basketball, and that's why he's also a class act.

Derek Fisher is a class act! The booing of Derek Fisher, upon his return to Utah, will be a perminate black mark on Jazz fans. If you Step back, take away the Lakers from the story and insert another team in its place, then Derek Fisher is still a stud/hero. I think that Fisher needs some love from the crowd during introductions during game 3 of the playoffs. Once the game starts it is a different story, but before the game you cheer the man.

Boozer would be a bench player in Cleveland with LeBron the focus -- and yes, he did get more $. Please don't boo Fisher. He asked out of his contract, but Larry, Kevin, and Jerry went along with it. Yeah, maybe a draft pick of some compensation was in order, but it didn't happen. Ronnie Brewer will continue to improve and the Jazz are just going to get better. The real joke about the Lakers was getting Gasol for the palers on the far end of their bench -- and everyone thinks Danny Ainge pulled off a coup in Boston -- which pales in comparison. Wanna boo, boo the Grizzlies management. Maybe we could have had one of those lesser players for Fish, but since we already had the luxury of sending Almong to the D-League along with Fes, I think we probably made out just fine. Go Jazz.

I like to think of the JAZZ and our FANS as the top class of teams in the NBA. I think we all do.

Even though we're a smaller market..
- We have the loudest fans.
- One of the top teams year after year.
- Players with good character. (Graded on a curve)
- Great community. (We have tons of flaws but, a lot of good and charitable stuff happens here when we're not behind the wheel of a car)

Let's show we're above the booing and whining. We are better off. It looked bad the way things turned out, but who cares. We have a younger and stronger team (mentally and development-wise) with Fisher moving on.

D-Will is way more important, to be able to have the added assets ($) to resign him. The development of Brewer and Price and Miles wouldn't have happened and we'd be even further back next year. Plus it brought us Korver who can hit the key Free throws and has brought the women back to games in droves.

It’s a good thing.

Plus it makes us look Juvenile.

Please, if you go to the game don’t boo Fish’.

Represent.

I think that the reason some Jazz fans are angry at the way the entire thing went down was because they feel betrayed. the Jazz team and its fans stood behind Fisher when all of this happened with his little girl, then, I think that the fans feel that the thanks they got was Fish leaving for LA. If he would have went to another team, it would not have stung as hard as LA. Also, Fish was a Jazz starter, the entire year, I personally didn't think that he should have been, but that is my opinion. I wish Fisher the best and his daughter. I am actaully greatful that he left Utah, because it freed up the beginning of Brewers career, which is going to be a great one. Also, we got Korver. I think that Fisher only has so many years left in him, but these other guys that we have, are going to be around for a while. Good Luck Fisher, and don't celebrate the game 1 win too soon. The Utah JAzz aren't done yet!!

I think everone needs to understand where the animosity towards Fisher comes from.

When we first traded for him from the Warriors, he took several days to address the press and fans, leaving some to believe he did not want to come to the Jazz in the first place.

Then there is the belief that the league prefers large market teams. This goes back to the lottery when the Knicks had long odds against them in the lottery and still ended up with the first pick and Patrick Ewing.

It is also known that the league would love a Laker/Celtic final. It's all about MONEY!!! That is what so concerns me about this series. I hope the Jazz get a fair shake from the league and refs.

1. It was NOT a $6.5 million pay cut. He took less than $1 million/year for 2 years to get out of Salt Lake. The 3rd year will be a new contract of undetermined value, at this point.

2. He moved 700 miles further away from Tatums treatment, NOT closer, as he stated was his goal.

3. The Jazz are better without his bloated salary and taking playing time away from Brewer.

4. Fisher is not a true point guard.He is better off with the triangle offense.

5. He is back with his old team, old friends and wife's family.

6. It was win-win for BOTH the Jazz AND Fisher!

7. Let's not make this into a who is the "MOST EVIL" argument. Fisher is a great guy. Tatum has all our prayers and sympathy. BUT, let's get realistic, avoid the LA/Fisher spin, the emotion and just look at the facts.

8. Had it been any team, other than the hated Lakers, he probably would have been cheered.

9. We all wish him and Tatum the best of luck, EXCEPT when he plays the Jazz.

Jazzaholic

People let him alone. Move on. Fisher had a good time and bad time in SLC. and the end girl health matters. No money can buy that one. My prayer goes to little girl.

Anonymous 7:48am: I think you're a sour head! And all the others down on Fisher sounds like you have sour grapes too! He cares about his family more then a sport, ask yourself if you do?? What would you do Mr. Anonymous in his shoes??? A family will last alot longer then a basketball game! I love the JAZZ but I repect and still like Derek Fisher and I won't BOO him.

Call it what it is - Big Market Envy. Utah is a state with 1 pro-team and a hard time filling their roster. They lucked out by drafting stockton, malone and williams. You really think Williams will stay when his contract's up? No one way he stays when he'll get max money in a bigger market. Boozer went cause it was $27MM more than Cleveland offered. Once his contract's up he's gone too because now other teams will want him and will pay good money.

Utah has been extremely well coached by Sloan over the years who gets 150% out of his players but once Sloan retires and players start giving only 100% . . . or less the game will catch up with them.

The fact is that bi markets draw bigger talent. You can't blame LA for that. Chicago, LA, NY, Boston, Miami etc will always have the biggest names . . . unless a smaller market team is winning then they can sometimes steal a good player.

Those posting that Derek was innocent and we need to be better people and he did what he did for family need to get real.
I have posted this in the past and going to do it again and no one has been able to argue against this yet.
1.When it was announced that he was traded to Utah he did not want to come and voiced his disappointment to have to come to Utah.
2.When he asked out of his contract there were only three to four places that could treat her.(New York, Minnesota, Miami, and Chicago.)
3.He was released by the Jazz on 7/12/07 and signed with Lakers 07/23/07.(11 days)
4.He announces shortly after his signing with LA that tumor had shrunk and needed limited Medical treatment.
5.He is still going to New York for her treatments for his daughter.(about every 4 to 6 months.)

If you read this article the Dr. in LA is a Colleague of her DR in New York he is not treating her he just performs checkups for the New York Dr. Something that yes could have done at the Huntsman center in Utah.

Why not cheer for Fisher, I am sure it would throw his game off a little bit? Why boo at all, makes no sense? Kobe will be the first to admit that the booing gets him fired up, and we don't want that. When Boozer, and Williams or Fesenko start booing then I will start booing. Please be a fan but don't be a classless fan. GO JAZZ!

Enough, your mad because Fisher left, your mad because the Lakers got Paul Gasol, your mad because Kobe is good, your mad becasue LA is a bigger market than Salt Lake. Utah fans petty cry babies that dont deserve an NBA title.

I agree with the mindset that there are people that respect Fisher and hate the Lakers. Fisher did a lot for Utah. How many others would catch a plane and play basketball after watching their child have surgery? He also helped in the growth of the Jazz players through last years playoffs. He is a great person who displays many positive traits that are lacking in the NBA.

I respect Fisher and wish him and his daughter the best. However, I hope that Fisher, Kobe and company lose every game :) This may even mean that Fisher gets boo'd. But it is not personal Derek, it's just a Laker thing and it is the playoffs.

Fisher used his good guy image to leave town. From day one, he didn't really like Utah, and Sloans coaching style. It was obvious. He also didn't like playing the 2 guard out of position, and having to backup up Deron. When his daughter was sick, he used it as an excuse to get out of town. He he was really a family man, he would have retired or stepped away for a few years until she's healthy. When he's with the Lakers, he still has to travel to road games, and the Doc is in NY anyway. Pay cut? Common, the man still makes more than all of us on this blog do put together. What a sacrifice to go from 7 Milliion a year to 4 million a year.

I feel badly for Derek Fisher. I have had my doubts about the timing of leaving the Jazz and going to the Lakers in short order. I do think he sincerely is looking out for his family, particularly for his daughter. My best wishes to him.

I'm happy to hear that Derek's daughter is doing well. However, I wish the Jazz would have had the NBA look into possible tampering charges against the Lakers.

I was as cynical as anyone at first, but I slowly realized that this was a decision any one of us would make. I still think he knew he was going back to LA. Once a laker, always a laker.

But please don't boo. Show some class. The man has been through hell and back with his daughter. Don't make Utah come across any worse than we already do to the rest of the country. Respect the man for taking care of his family.

Derek Fisher should have been the back up point guard fo rthe Jazz last year.

Jerry Sloan, for some strange reason, had him playing out of position. Brewer, CJ, Giricek, Kirilenko, or Harpring should have played the two, while Fish backed up Williams at the one.

It was a blessing when Fish left because it took the option away from Sloan to play him out of position. The team is better without Fish than with him playing the two.

The question is, why couldn't Sloan see that?