Los Angeles Sparks coach Derek Fisher named GM

by · December 29, 2020

Some of you probably didn’t even know that Derek Fisher was a coach in the WNBA.  Well now he has been named general manager of the Los Angeles Sparks and will be in his third year as head coach of the team in 2021.  

I was definitely surprised when this promotion came. I was certain he was fired after he benched two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker in a must-win elimination game against the Connecticut Sun in Game 3 of the 2019 WNBA Semifinals. The Sparks lost the game and were eliminated from the playoffs. Would they have won if Parker hadn’t been benched? Does she even want to still play for him?  

Eleven days after the game, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reported that some sources claimed Fisher sat Parker because she went to him with a strategic suggestion before the game and he didn’t like it. 

It also could suggest a retaliatory action on Fisher’s part, who had a different story with regards to the benching. After the Game 3 loss, he said: We’ve had an issue sustaining energy over 40 minutes against [Connecticut] in this series. … I was just trying to get fresh bodies in so we could continue to bang and rebound and run the floor and communicate defensively. It wasn’t in any way to single [Candace] out. 

Fisher is no stranger to drama. Let’s not forget the fight with Matt Barnes over ‘Basketball Wives’ Star, Gloria Govan. Things became really nasty after Barnes discovered that his former teammate, Derek Fisher, and Govan were dating, leading to an all-out brawl between the two men. He briefly served as a Lakers studio analyst were he got into several arguments, before participating in Dancing with the Stars and getting arrested for DUI in 2016, But that’s another story.  

Here’s what Fisher had to say about his promotion: I’m honored to be named general manager of the LA Sparks and continue my role as head coach. This organization has a dynamic history, the most passionate fans in the WNBA, and an ownership group committed to success on and off the court. I’m thankful for the opportunity and excited to guide this team as we pursue a fourth WNBA title. 

How I see it, Fisher is a man who was hired in 2019 with no prior experience in women’s basketball now running a premiere franchise in the league. Is it fair? I mean he wasn’t that successful in the NBA. Fisher was fired midway through his second season in New York, finishing with a 40-96 record as Knicks coach. I guess that is a winning record in the WNBA they only play about 36 games a season. I just think that he should stick to the rivers and lakes or LAKERS that he’s use to: Men’s Basketball! I don’t believe he will be too successful as the coach and GM, something will be neglected! 

PS. Thanks for that 3 in 2004.

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Lala

Lala is a Finance Manager with 11 years of experience working alongside banking executives and financial advisers. Lala was born and raised in New Orleans, La where she currently resides. Lala has also worked with many sports organizations in the city of New Orleans becoming lead coordinator working closely with athletes. Lala owns her own crafting company -Lala’s Closet- and has a podcast-Lalasaidwhat. Lala is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Lala received a bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis, where she played basketball on a full scholarship. Lala is inspired daily by her two sons William and Lincoln. She is very opinionated when it comes to sports and loves to speak her mind. Hobbies include basketball, reading and spectating video games.

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