I'm reminded of a playoff series in 2001, the West Finals against San Antonio, a sweep of the Spurs by the Lakers. In the last game of that sweep, which preceded the second of their three titles, Derek Fisher was 6 for 7 from the field - ALL 3 POINTERS. He was also very active defensively.
And recall, two or three straight offseasons, he had to deal with a stress fracture in his foot...both of them, I think, though not both at once. Each time he rehabbed, he came back, he played with heart, he tried to mediate the mess that was Shaq and Kobe...
He was and is all class, and more than the departure of Shaq, the departure of Fisher really signaled the beginning of the end for the Laker franchise. IMO.
He is indeed all class, and is one of those rare individuals who step up when things are toughest. To quote Pacino from "Devil's Advocate": "Some people, you squeeze them, they focus. Others fold". Fisher focused, and then some. An asset to any team. Prayers for his daughter.