Derek Fisher Is A Leader Of Men - Lakers Should Make Him Their Next Coach

From the LA Times:

Lakers' Brian Shaw, Cavaliers to talk about coaching position

While the team drafts forwards Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter, Shaw receives permission to look into Cleveland vacancy

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The Lakers are playing fast and loose with Brian Shaw, the heir apparent to the coaching job, should Phil Jackson retire.

I have been saying for years (Fu2rman can attest to this) that Derek Fisher will one day go down as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history.

The man is destined to lead men into battle, and to come back with the spoils of victory. Rarely have I seen a man whose face is more marked by destiny.

Perhaps Jerry Buss sees what I see, and figures Shaw is expendable.

And, he is. Fisher for Coach, sooner than later.

But Dengler, you say, Derek Fisher has no experience as a Head Coach.

This is where a little knowledge of history comes in handy. Let's look at how Pat Riley, arguably one of the greatest ever, became Head Coach of the Lakers:

Riley returned to the NBA in 1977 as a broadcaster for the Lakers. During the 1979–80 season, when the team's head coach, Jack McKinney, was injured during a near fatal bicycle accident, assistant coach Paul Westhead took over the team's head coaching duties. Riley then moved from the broadcast booth to the bench as one of Westhead's assistant coaches.

Six games into the 1981–82 season, Magic Johnson said he wished to be traded because he was unhappy playing for Westhead. Shortly afterward, Lakers' owner Jerry Buss fired Westhead. At an ensuing press conference, with Jerry West at his side, Buss named West head coach. West, however, balked, and Buss awkwardly tried to name West as "offensive captain" and then named West and Riley as co-coaches.[4] West made it clear during the press conference that he would only assist Riley, and that Riley was the head coach.[5] Thereafter, Riley was the interim head coach, until his status became permanent.

Riley led the Lakers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. His first title came in his first season, against the Philadelphia 76ers.

You see, Pat Riley had no experience, got hired on the spot, as a mistake, and went on to lead the Lakers to a Championship in his very first season.

One might argue that this was possible because of the fact that Riley was coaching a team led by Magic Johnson. But, Derek Fisher would be coaching a team led by Kobe Bryant. And, Kobe respects Derek Fisher, saying Fish is the only guy on the team he listens to.

Buss remembers the history. If anyone has the balls to make such a move, it is the Lakers owner. Let's hope he follows his own blueprint for Championships.