Fisher's heroics cap emotional day
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah: Derek Fisher provided the overtime heroics for the Utah Jazz but nothing could match the joy of seeing his daughter come out successful cancer surgery earlier in the day.
"It was very serious," said the Jazz guard Fisher. "My daughter's life was in jeopardy. She has a form of cancer. It is a very rare disease and we could have lost my little girl if we waited any longer."
The operation was performed in New York in the morning and went off without a hitch.
"It has been unbelievable. My daughter's doing very well. She had a successful operation today in New York," said the three-time NBA champion when he was with the Los Angeles Lakers. "I got off the plane and got into the game. I am speechless."
After the operation, Fisher then flew with his wife, Candace, to Salt Lake City for the Jazz's National Basketball Association playoff game against Golden State.
The game was already over half finished by the time Fisher arrived and he drew a loud ovation when he emerged from the tunnel late in the third quarter and took the court against his former Golden State team.
Fisher hit a three-point shot to make it 123-117 with just over a minute left in overtime.
His basket put the game out of reach as Utah went on to win 127-117 and take a 2-0 series lead in their quarter-final series.
"I had to ask my wife for permission to get here," said Fisher, who has four children, including a set of young twins.
"My loyalty is always with my family and faith first. That is how I got through this game tonight."
AFP
(China Daily 05/11/2007 page24)
