Dear Derek Fisher,
I’m so sorry that I ever doubted you. I know that we’ve been through some rocky times lately, but it still doesn’t give me the excuse to doubt you. After all you’ve done for us; you truly deserve the benefit of the doubt. Even though I lost sight of that—you had trust. You knew that you still had what I wanted and desired. Game winning shots are what I desire… I should have remembered San Antonio.
I remember when you decided to leave us for Golden State a few years ago. I was sorry to see you go, but I knew it was what was best for you. Even though we weren’t together anymore—I still watched from afar to make sure that you were still doing ok. I wanted nothing but the best for you. When you were traded to Utah 2 years later, I wanted nothing but the best for you. When you had to endure the horrible problems with your daughter in the 2007 playoffs, everyone around the country knew what Laker fans had known all long—you’re a pretty good dude.
I won’t lie—I’ve had eyes for other point guards lately. I thought that Jordan Farmar or Shannon Brown had what I needed. I think it was just a case that the “grass is always greener on the other side” though. I’ve doubted you plenty this year. I thought your time had come and gone. I thought it was time for us to part ways.
I thought it was time for you to stop shooting the ball (as in, NEVER again). Every time you shot the ball, I was screaming at the television for you to pass. Every time the ball fell unsuccessfully into Dwight Howard’s possession, I yelled for Jordan Farmar. Every time a smaller, younger and quicker point guard beat you off the dribble and took you to the hole, I asked for Shannon Brown.
But in Game 4, you reminded me of all thing things that I had forgotten. At the end of regulation, you reminded me that you were still capable of hitting a CLUTCH shot at the end of the game that would have me jumping with euphoria.
In overtime, you made sure you drove the point home and knocked down the dagger that very well could bring another championship to Los Angeles. You watched Kobe deliver a vicious elbow, calmly stepped into your shot and made the greater LA area’s ground shake like there was a 5.0 at Staples Center.
After Game 4, I’m sorry I ever doubted you. Please accept my sincerest of apologies. I promise that it will never happen again.
Xoxo,
Mr. Cheap Seats
Matt Reitz is the Editor-In-Chief here at ViewFromMySeats.com and former NHL Writer for ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports. When he’s not shoving a mic in the face of NHLers or explaining why home teams should wear white, he’s usually trying to figure out what song to play next on his iPod. It’s a never-ending job.
