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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 greatest players with two stints in LA

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers catches a pass as he fends off Derek Fisher #37 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May at Staples Center on May 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers catches a pass as he fends off Derek Fisher #37 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May at Staples Center on May 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Derek Fisher

Gail Goodrich was absolutely a better basketball player in terms of his production on the floor but when it comes to overall Lakers legacy, it is tough to argue Goodrich over Derek Fisher. Yes, Goodrich’s play put him in the Hall of Fame and rightfully so, but Fisher did more for the Lakers and was part of more memorable moments.

It is not every day that a player can win five championships with a single team and actually be a producer on those five teams. Fisher may not have been the second or even the third-best player on any of those teams but there is no denying that he was a contributor and exactly the kind of point guard the Lakers needed to play alongside Kobe Bryant.

Fisher was there for the three-peat with Kobe and Shaq and even had one of the most iconic moments from that run. Fisher drained a game-winning shot against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Finals on an inbound pass with 0.4 seconds left on the clock.

The Lakers did not end up winning the title that year but if they did, Fisher’s shot would probably be remembered in the same breath as Robert Horry’s game-winner against the Sacramento Kings.

Fisher left the Lakers after that season and spent two years with the Golden State Warriors and a year with the Utah Jazz. Prior to the 2007-08 season, Fisher signed a three-year deal to return to the Lakers and spent four and a half seasons in LA before LA traded him to Houston in 2012.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

Five championships, over 7,000 points scored and the second-most three-pointers in franchise history; that sounds like the best player to ever have two stints with the Los Angeles Lakers.

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