Moment #3: Lakers Crush Nuggets, Win West

Moment #1: Lakers Win Title No. 15

Fisher For Three ... Twice | June 11, 2009

Sinking the single most important shot of the NBA season wasn’t the first time Derek Fisher had nailed a playoff buzzer-beater, of course, yet when he nailed a three-pointer in the face of Orlando’s Jameer Nelson with 4.6 seconds left in regulation of Game 4 of the NBA Finals to force overtime, his blood became a different kind of cold.

For a player who had all season and particularly in the postseason endured more than a little criticism for his play, that shot alone would have been enough to produce the kind of praise afforded to West, Magic and Horry in Lakers shot-making lore. Yet Fisher not only saved the game, he then won it by canning another three-pointer with 31.4 seconds left in overtime, a shot which ultimately may have won L.A. the championship.

“It’s character,” said Phil Jackson after the game. “It’s not just about talent, it’s about character, and (Fisher is) a person of high character, brings that to play, not only in just his gamesmanship but also his intestinal fortitude.”

Kobe Bryant agreed.

“(Fisher’s) been there before,” said Bryant. “He’s been there and done that. In the locker room I was teasing him a little bit because he was 0-for-5 on threes before he made those last two. But that’s Derek, though. I think those shots at the end of the game are actually easier for him than the other ones.”

The fourth quarter bomb came just moments after it seemed L.A. was doomed in the game and set to find themselves tied at two games apiece with the Magic*, since Orlando held a five-point lead, with the ball, and less than a minute to play. Furthermore, Rashard Lewis had a chance to make it a seven-point game but missed a jump shot, which Bryant immediately pushed the other way before finding Gasol in the lane for a trailing dunk. Score: Magic 87, Lakers 84. Then came the Dwight Howard missed free throws with 11.1 seconds remaining (Amway Arena: gulp) after Bryant wrapped the big center up in the lane. Lakers ball, chance to tie.
*To go through the game moment-by-moment, CLICK HERE for the running diary.

Anticipating that he would be fouled after catching the inbounds pass, Bryant dished immediately to Trevor Ariza, who found Fisher up the floor on the far side of the court. One dribble, two dribbles, pull-up … cash.

Then in overtime, after Fisher’s second triple, Pau Gasol followed a Turkoglu missed three by streaking up the floor to collect a long rebound, taking a few steps and dunking to put L.A. up 96-91 with 21.6 seconds remaining to seal the deal.

“The mood was very somber,” said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy of his locker room. “Very, very somber.”

Fisher, the veteran point guard who came into the league with Bryant, had a chance to reflect a month and change after the best moment of L.A.’s 2008-09 season:

“I have a growing appreciation for the experiences that I’ve had in my career overall, and for this year in particular, with what the 2009 championship means to us and to the city and our fans. It continues to mold my appreciation for the history of the NBA and the Lakers, and what all the moments mean. It motivates me to work even harder this summer to try and be in a position to do it again next year, because it’s just crazy to think about those moments and how they will live on forever. I think I’m just starting to realize that. A lot of these kids that are here and a lot of these parents that have been Lakers fans for 10, 15, 20 years, those moments signify a lot of great memories in their life. For my name and things that I’ve done to be a part of that is a little bit trippy, pretty humbling, but exciting and motivating as well.”

Moment #3: Lakers Crush Nuggets, Win West

Moment #1: Lakers Win Title No. 15