Derek Fisher Leaves Jazz to Care For Daughter - Message Board Basketball Forum

loot · 07-03-2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Utah guard Derek Fisher asked to be released from his contract Monday so that he could concentrate on caring for his infant daughter, who has a form of eye cancer.

Fisher's daughter Tatum famously had a surgical procedure in the middle of Utah's inspired playoff run, a trial that didn't prevent Derek from coming up huge against Golden State the same day of said surgery. Tatum was said to be OK -- not out of the woods, as it so often is with cancer -- but OK.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Fish said he's not ready to retire, but he is hanging up his Jazz jersey. He'll leave $21 million on the table. No update on Tatum's condition has been released, which Fish only relating that "basketball is not a priority right now." Fish's legacy on the court is one of professionalism. He will be missed by basketball fans, but helping his family cope and spreading the word about retinoblastoma is clearly the priority.

You can find out more about retinoblastoma here.

Source : AOL.

He walked away from 21 mil. because he has his priorities straight. I salute Derek Fisher.

FashionIssues · 07-03-2007, 01:06 AM

21 mil is a lot of money to forfeit, but the man didn't have to second guess himself like many other players would do. good luck

Chalkmaze · 07-03-2007, 01:06 AM

We've already had a couple Derek Fisher threads already, be sure to check for them before starting a new topic next time.

But yes... Props to Derek, and the Jazz for understanding.

Clutch_City · 07-03-2007, 01:22 AM

Sad, but I think he'll be retiring. Anyone know where he resides?

lovethetriangle · 07-03-2007, 01:50 AM

Salute

jbot · 07-03-2007, 01:50 AM

wow, he's one hell of a man. i would do the same thing if i were him. he's a great person and i hope for the best for his daughter.

chains5000 · 07-03-2007, 02:45 AM

loot · 07-03-2007, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chalkmaze

We've already had a couple Derek Fisher threads already, be sure to check for them before starting a new topic next time.

But yes... Props to Derek, and the Jazz for understanding.

Then give those topics a good subject title. If I see a topic 'remember derek fisher in the playoffs' or something I wont check it.

Checked it:

"Jazz with a big announcement at 5:45"
"New York knicks have a roster spot for Derek fisher?"
"Revisiting Fisher's big moment!"

Are not good titles (when it comes to this subject). So tell those guys to make better threads instead Chalkmaze.

wally_world · 07-03-2007, 03:58 AM

he's a great player... he's a better father! kudos dude!

FPower · 07-03-2007, 08:32 AM

Best of luck to Derek Fisher and his family.

And sorry to sound mercenary, but this is great for the Utah Jazz. Total buyout of a terrible contract. They should give him a million or two as a nice gesture.

LJJ · 07-03-2007, 08:38 AM

Fisher is a class act.

I hope his kid will be all right.

crisoner · 07-03-2007, 09:42 AM

bless him and his fam...they will make it through.

td21spurs · 07-03-2007, 10:04 AM

After all the most important thing to anyone is family.

i feel sorry for him.

laalaa · 07-03-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Fisher is a class act.

Big time.

Not only has he been blessed with a memorable career championship wise, but actually made a difference each season, always played hard and smart, no matter how much he's been critized by fans who have been expecting another Magic Johnson just to pop up and sign with the Lakers.

Turning down millions of dollars clearly proves he's a class act like said. That's not too common in the league these days.

I hope his kid gets well.

loot · 07-03-2007, 11:22 AM

Update:

Quote:

All the suddenness and sadness from Derek Fisher's Monday announcement he was walking away from his $21 million contract with the Jazz served to cloud what was actually happening: Fisher is looking for a team in a big market.

Salt Lake doesn't have a retinoblastoma treatment center, and Fish is adamant about being with his family while his daughter undergoes treatment for her condition. However, he's not ready to retire -- not while he obviously has so much left in the tank.

It would be a shock if Fish didn't end up back in Los Angeles next season, as Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune points out. The Lakers desperately need a point guard, Fish knows the triangle and Kobe, L.A. is big and has a retinoblastoma treatment center. It's almost a no-brainer.

Still, he leaves behind a 21 million contract.