Most underrated Los Angeles Lakers of the 21st century: 3) Derek Fisher
While Kobe, Shaq and Pau were the driving forces behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ first five titles of the 2000s, D-Fish was there for all of them, and not just there for the ride. The tenacious guard played a critical role in each and every playoff run as a knockdown outside shooter and trusted leader.
A steady and durable backcourt player with a three-point percentage that frequently hovered around 40 percent, Fisher could always be counted on to deliver in big moments.
Look no further than his miraculous playoff buzzer-beater with just 0.4 seconds remaining against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Kobe once called Fisher his all-time favorite teammate. What more needs to be said?
2000 Playoff Averages: 4.7 PPG, 1.0 REB, 2.0 AST, 0.5 STL, .414 3FG%
2001 Playoff Averages: 13.4 PPG, 3.8 REB, 3.0 AST, 1.3 STL, .515 3FG%
2002 Playoff Averages: 10.2 PPG, 3.3 REB, 2.7 AST, 1.0 STL, .358 3FG%
2009 Playoff Averages: 8.0 PPG, 2.0 REB, 2.2 AST, 1.0 STL, .284 3FG%
2010 Playoff Averages: 10.3 PPG, 2.5 REB, 2.8 AST, 1.2 STL, .360 3FG%