Sean

Less may be more for Fisher this season

By Elliott Teaford, Staff Writer; Article Launched: 10/14/2007 11:15:19 PM PDT

EL SEGUNDO - Point guard Derek Fisher won't play 48 minutes a game this season, and there's little chance he'll average 38 minutes a game. But 28 minutes might suit him and the Lakers during the regular season.

"I feel like I can still play 30 minutes a game," Fisher said the other day. "I know the minutes will be big minutes no matter how (many they turn out to be)."

Less might be more, however...

Fisher said he would welcome fewer minutes if it means he can play more intensely in his 12th NBA season. He also suggested he would be open to playing a reserve role if Jackson feels the need to start Farmar, although that seems like a long shot...

"I have to be ready to play whether I'm starting or coming off the bench," Fisher said. "I want to make a difference when I'm out there. If (Jackson) feels he needs to keep me within a range until the playoffs, when he might bump it up, then that's fine.

"If I average 26 minutes a game, it would be the first time in a long time that I'll have played shorter minutes, but then that could be better. Sometimes guys are out there an extra seven or eight minutes and they're just getting by, you know?"

Fisher, asked what might be ideal playing time, smiled and said he liked the way Team USA's coaching staff distributed the minutes during the FIBA Tournament of the Americas in Las Vegas in August.

"You can play that hard when all you've got to do is play 20 minutes," he said. "You can't do that for 48 minutes."

NEED FOR SPEED

Jackson said he hopes to have the Lakers playing at a higher tempo this season, although he also acknowledged they probably couldn't outrun teams like Phoenix, Dallas or Golden State.

Farmar and fellow young guards Javaris Crittenton and Sasha Vujacic are especially suited to pushing the pace, according to Jackson.

"For most of these younger players, it's (the style of play) they're born and raised with," Jackson said.

"I don't know if it's our scouts who are giving us these types of players or it's just the nature of the way the game is played now. It doesn't mean we can outrun teams with speed like Phoenix or Golden State and other teams like that. But we can play at their speed, so we're pushing them to their limits."

http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_7179946

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jazzy1

Very odd comments Critt and Farmar must be wearing him out in practice.

I don't like this sorta thing although probably prudent just the fact that a player is saying it is kinda disturbing.

Is Fish Done is the question I have.

KennethTo

Hopefully Fisher will play closer to 15 min, and Critt will be at 30 min per game by midseason.

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elcap15

Is this surprising to anyone? I expected fisher to play 20-25 min a game from the second we signed him. I do expect him to start, and probably finish games, but I always had expected Critt/Farmar to get minutes.

And I still think he will help the team tremendously

CDRacingZX6R

As long as he plays some minutes, and they are quality then I don't care. Just don't get injured or something and go the way of Mckie on us. Another vet on the bench would be painful to watch.

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