The Lakers get back to work tonight, the days of resting Derek Fishers 34-year-old legs are over.
Since Jordan Farmar’s injury, Fishers minutes per game have jumped from 28 to 34 a game, more mileage than the Lakers coaching staff wanted to put on the veteran point guard. However, it’s hard to take him out right now because of how he is playing — Fisher shot 41.3% before Farmar went down and 49% afterward. He is getting more assists but not turning the ball over. He has stepped up his game, like you hope a veteran leader would.
Since the Lakers beat them back on Christmas Day, the Celtics have looked tired and old suddenly, and the Lakers have… sat around and ate leftovers. Mostly.
Sure, they’ve practiced and worked out. And there was that game against Golden State that was sort of like an actual game. But nothing that really constituted getting back to work. All of that was probably very good for Fisher
That pace changes tonight starting with a rematch of the Western Conference Semifinals last year against the Utah Jazz. Except that, these Jazz are not those Jazz.
Those Jazz were probably the most physical team in the Western Conference. Tonight’s version of the Jazz will be without Carlos Boozer, who is waiting for the swelling to go down in his knee so doctors can operate. Paul Millsap and Jerrod Collins may be back tonight, but both are coming off injury layoffs.
The Jazz still have Deron Williams, one of the best point guards in the game. While Williams started the year a bit cold shooting (causing teams to play a pack-it-in style of defense lately against them) there are signs that he is heating up. Williams was 4 of 6 from three and scored 27 against the 76ers just a couple nights back.
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Fisher should get the majority of time spent trying to stop Williams — an even bigger test for Fisher, who has the strength to stay with strong young Williams.
Beyond the Jazz, the Lakers have some real work ahead that is going to test their depth. Games in the next couple weeks include New Orleans, Portland, Houston, Orlando and eventually LeBron James and Cleveland.
Time to get back to work.
