DEREK FISHER - A STEADYING FORCE

Pick up a stat sheet after a Lakers playoff game and it would be easy to single out Derek Fisher for criticism. Yet, the numbers don't tell the story of his true significance to his team. They never have.

The 6-foot-1 point guard, born and raised in Little Rock, Ark., may be the smallest and oldest (34) player on the Lakers' roster, but he has undoubtedly been the team's steadying force.

"Fisher's the rock of this team," Lakers forward Luke Walton said. "Basketball has a lot of emotions and ups and downs, and there is a lot that happens on and off the court that the average fan doesn't see, but ever since they brought Fish back, he instantly made us a better team. Just his presence made us better. Just having him on the team and on the court is a bonus."

Fisher's statistical impact in the regular season and postseason this year has been the lowest in five years, but his effect on the team's growth and maturation has never been greater.

It was Fisher who gathered the Lakers when they were down by seven points in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets in Denver and implored his teammates to fulfill their potential. "This is a moment in time when you can define yourself," Fisher told them. "This is a moment when you can step into that destiny." It's a speech teammates cite as a turning point in their postseason, as the Lakers rallied to win 103-97 to take a 2-1 series lead.

In the previous round, it was Fisher who uncharacteristically laid out Luis Scola with a forearm shiver -- earning his first career suspension -- in an effort to dispel the notion that the Lakers were "soft" against the Rockets.

And it is Fisher who constantly works with backup point guards Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown after practice, going over situations that they will face on the court.

"Derek is a leader, he's a spokesperson to the team," coach Phil Jackson said. "He knows what's important to us and what the focus should be. A lot of things that a coach can't say all the time with emotions and expressions, he does. He gives a real essence to the game and he has a great way of presenting it to his teammates. He ignites our team."

In his only season in Utah, Fisher played in every game and served as a mentor for Deron Williams as the Jazz made it to the conference finals for the first time in nearly a decade.

"It's no coincidence that he's made every team he's been on better," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "He's our captain. His leadership qualities are incredible. He's been a champion before and he knows how to win. Derek is a man we look up to on and off the court."

DEREK FISHER - The Vet

On the court, the 33-year-old left-handed guard, a 12-year veteran, plays a tough brand of defense and is a proven clutch shooter.

He was a key part of the Lakers' three titles in 2000, '01 and '02. This season, he started every game, averaging 11.7 points. "He understands the way to do things," Lakers coach Phil Jackson says. "He knows how to get things accomplished. And he has a cool head under pressure."

At practice and in the locker room, he is shining example of professionalism.

"A lot of stuff Derek does rubs off on the rest of the team," Bryant says. "The comments he makes about the game. His execution. His spirit. His approach to practice and preparation and hard work."

Fisher uses the word "blessing" often, and he considers this season one.

It's hard to quantify the kind of example Fisher sets.

"I just try to be a professional every day," he says. "We all go through days where the body is sore, the body is tired. … I just think it's good for guys to see people on their team bring the right attitude to work every day. A guy that's here early, stays late … tries to do the right things. I think that becomes infectious."