The Leadership of Derek Fisher

"I'm used to having him in the locker room. I'm used to hearing his voice, saying things that he and I have talked about, in terms of the direction of the team and what the team needs to hear, and he vocalizes it. And I don't have that."

--Kobe Bryant, discussing the leadership of Derek Fisher that is missing in the Los Angeles Laker locker room.

Fisher was traded away from the Lakers in the mid-season. Fisher ended up with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who then beat the Lakers four games to one in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

"Leadership. He says stuff every single day that helps us out and motivates us to want to go out there and compete."

--James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder guard, who won the NBA Sixth Man award.

Could Derek Fisher be the difference between these two NBA playoff teams?

Excerpt from nytimes.com (5/20/2012).

LeBron James Having MVP Season

In a win over the streaking New York Knicks in Miami, Le Bron James of the Miami Heat, chipped in 20 points and nearly had a triple-double, finishing with 9 rebounds and 8 assists. James also had five steals.

"He was just so locked in," Joel Anthony, Miami Heat center said of James. "He set the tone."

James played 41 minutes,but his 37-minute average this season is more than two minutes fewer than he averaged last year. He has made the most of his time on the court: a career 48 percent shooter, he is making 55 percent of his shots and averaging 8.1 rebounds - 1 above his career mark.

"He's playing the best basketball I've ever seen him play," Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat forward said, adding, "He's the M.V.P."

Excerpt from nytimes.com (February 24, 2012).