Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher friendship keeps Fisher with The Lakers

Fisher told TMZ, “I have decided to continue with Kobe, continue with our teammates and the fans of Los Angeles.”

He adds, “While this may not be the most lucrative contract I’ve been offered this off season, it is the most valuable.”

“At the end of the day, there’s one person I could not turn away from,” Fisher tells us. “Kobe Bryant asked me to stay but supported whatever decision I made. He and I have played together for 11 seasons, came into the league together as kids, and has been loyal to me even when others had doubts.”

Pat Riley recently made the biggest coup in NBA free agency, signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh while re-signing Dwyane Wade. Signing Fisher, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, would have been a huge power play.

In the end though, Fisher’s decision was not about money, but instead loyalty — a quality money can’t buy.

The fans will remember that decision.

Derek Fisher

The LA Lakers move ahead in the NBA finals after last night’s game 3 win over the Boston Celtics, scoring 91-84. Derek Fisher, the 13-year veteran, became a hero scoring 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and shooting 50 percent from the field against the Boston Celtics.

In his post-game interview immediately after the buzzer sounded, Fisher was initially at a loss for words.

“I’m sorry I’m getting emotional,” said the Los Angeles point guard. “Nothing means more to me than helping my team win.”

“I love what I do and I love helping my team win,” Fisher said. “Even when things maybe aren’t going the way I’d like them to go for reasons I can control and some I can’t, I still pretty much keep my mouth shut and just keep doing my job and remain faithful that things will come around when they need to.

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