Derek Fisher News

“That's all I've ever seen. It's kind of scary to talk about.”

Nobody knew what to expect from Kobe Bryant Wednesday night. Not really. Play? Everyone knew Kobe would play. via LA Daily News

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“That seems like an eternity when you're there”

Help from above? On a day when his infant daughter went through surgery for cancer in her eye, Derek Fisher was somehow able to help the Jazz win Game 2 of the Western Conference semis only hours later. via ESPN

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“I don't think there's going to be a less vociferous crowd out there”

The Lakers' bench took another hit Sunday. Make that several hits. Ronny Turiaf was ejected for committing a flagrant foul on Utah Jazz backup point guard Ronnie Price with 10:07 left in the first half. via LA Daily News

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“This was a game where Gasol was looking at the refs every time he got stripped and felt he was fouled”

So what, you wanted perfection? Dared dream of an unbeaten postseason? Of a team that only grew in stature by the game? That Pau Gasol would never have an off-game? Where the Lakers were a whole lot less than ... via LA Daily News

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“We feel like we can. "We feel like we haven't played a good game against them yet. Hopefully we're due for one.”

Oh, they want to. They're trying hard to. You can almost hear the Jazz straining to talk themselves into believing they can beat the Lakers. via LA Daily News

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“It's Hollywood, it's a movie script. The perfect ending would be for us to hold a championship trophy at the end of it”

Kobe Bryant holds the MVP trophy with his daughters Gianna and Natalia in Los Angeles. via Shanghai Daily

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“Jerry has not given into the whole 21st-century pro athlete thing in terms of [a coach] not still being an authority figure”

Just for fun, try suggesting to Jazz coach Jerry Sloan that this Western Conference semifinal series with the Los Angeles Lakers is another chance for him to exorcise part of his history, to slay a personal ... via Salt Lake Tribune

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“Whatever team you're on, that's who you are trying to win with. That's your family right there. We go play Dallas and I hear (former Laker) Devean George screaming out all the plays to his team.”

Derek Fisher is a good defensive player. A smart defensive player. But in this playoff series against the Utah Jazz, he's got an extra advantage. via Press-Telegram

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“This is an award I couldn't have won on my own. I can't thank these guys (his teammates) enough. These are my guys, these are my brothers. Let's get ready for tomorrow.”

Kobe Bryant won his first NBA player of the year award yesterday after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the best record in the league's Western Conference. via Xinhuanet

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“We definitely have to match the physicality of the Utah Jazz. They can't feel like they can overpower us or take advantage of us.”

No one went to Monday's practice dressed in a blue work shirt with his first name sewn on a patch over his heart. via Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

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