Fisher Leaves Jazz

ESPN -
Utah Jazz guard Derek Fisher was released from his contract Monday to care for his 10-month-old daughter, who has cancer.

Fisher and his wife, Candace, said they needed time to search for the best treatment for their daughter, Tatum.

"Basketball is not a priority. I don't have plans to retire ... I would enjoy playing the game, but there are a lot of things to consider," Fisher said at a news conference Monday.

Fisher at times fought exhaustion trying to balance basketball and his daughter's welfare. Once, in May, he spent a day at a New York hospital, then flew back to Utah for a Western Conference semifinal game against the Golden State Warriors

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Family comes first. I read that he wants to play for a team like NJ/NY, to be close to the specialist that does the cancer treatment for his daughter. Otherwise I would say he would probably retire.

Best of luck to him and his family.

Yeah he has a good reason to leave the Jazz. Although he will be a detrimental loss to the organization he had to leave the team for more important reason. Family is definitely more important then basketball. He would be a good fit for the Knicks though if they do decide to pick him up.

You can't question that commitment to family. Hopefully he gets a chance to play and care for his daughter, but I can't imagine many teams running for his service if he is potentially absent on a frequent basis due to his daughters conditions. I really hope it works out for him though. I think the Jazz will miss him greatly as well, as he played an important role for them in their post season.

he is a great man, thats all there is really to say about that. best of luck to him and his family

its sad to see him leave basketball, but its good to see he puts his family before his sports

hes a class act

so it's back to LA? they need a PG.

Very good player in the money time. Hope he will play again (maybe in LA with the lakers or clippers)

Best of luck to him and his family

Yeah, from what I heard its either an Atlantic Division team like Nets, Knicks or Philly or its over. Totally agree with his decision, family comes first.

Veteran Fisher makes Griz wish list

By Ronald Tillery
July 5, 2007

Just because the Grizzlies already have three point guards under contract doesn't mean they'll pass on adding a fourth.
The Griz are interested in veteran Derek Fisher and will explore the possibility of adding the Little Rock native to the roster.

The Utah Jazz agreed to release Fisher from his contract Monday so he can concentrate on finding the best care for his 11-month-old daughter, Tatum, who was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a cancerous tumor in her left eye.
The danger is that it could spread to her brain or the rest of her body.

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, scientists and physicians work in tandem to translate laboratory discoveries into cures for retinoblastoma, according to the hospital's Web site.

Fisher said he wants to live in the city his family chooses for Tatum's care. He didn't rule out playing for another NBA team.

Memphis is one of six or seven cities Fisher is researching as a destination regarding medical care for his daughter. New York, Miami, Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles are also options for Fisher.

Fisher played his first eight NBA seasons with the Lakers before signing as a free agent with Golden State following the 2003-04 campaign. The Warriors later traded Fisher to Utah.

In May, Fisher fought exhaustion trying to balance basketball and his daughter's welfare. He spent a day at a New York hospital and then flew to Utah for a Western Conference semifinal game against Golden State.

Fisher decided to forgo $20.6 million when he asked for his release from the Jazz. It is not known how much Fisher would seek from a potential suitor.

Still, the Griz are interested, even with veteran Damon Stoudamire and youngsters Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley on the roster. Conley was selected fourth overall in last month's NBA draft, and is considered the future for the Griz at point guard.

Fisher, though, would be difficult to pass on given his productivity and positive influence in the locker room.

"I'll be 33 in August. I'm 6-1. I averaged 10 points this year," Fisher told Salt Lake City media earlier this week. "I don't know how many people feel strongly about what I do."

Fisher doesn't want to retire, but his family will be his No. 1 priority.

Only 350 cases of retinoblastoma are diagnosed each year in North America. In most cases, patients lose the eye rather than undergo chemotherapy, but there are exceptions.

"Retinoblastoma is probably the pediatric cancer in which an early diagnosis has the greatest impact. When it is diagnosed early, cure is certain. However, when diagnosed late, it is one of the deadliest cancers," Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, M.D., said on St. Jude's Web site.

With Memphis having one of the best children hospitals in the country and Fisher being a Little Rock native, there is a good chance that he may come to the Grizz. Would definitely give Memphis veteran leadership and also recieve some time at the 1 and 2.

"Memphis is one of six or seven cities Fisher is researching as a destination regarding medical care for his daughter. New York, Miami, Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles are also options for Fisher."

its nice to see miami getting 2 looks, i guess this makes them the favorite????

Fisher will be a Laker. Again.

Fisher will be a Laker. Again.

I was thinking that too, but it depends on rather he wants to play for Phil again or just be closer to home. I don't see why he would want to go to Cleveland because they would look for him to play alot of minutes I'm thinking since they don't have the right PG just yet. Miami is ehhh, why do they need another veteran anyways And everybody should know by now that every player in the league is rumored to go to New York so I don't see that happening at all.

A very noble decision by Fisher, it's clear he has his priorities in order. However, it's also a very classy move on the part of the Utah Jazz as they are essentially letting him out of his contract and freeing him up to go elsewhere (if he so chooses) where his daughter can receive treatment and he can remain in the NBA, with the Jazz receiving absolutely no compensation for losing a quality player.

Not to make the story into something bigger than it is, but in a league where we often bemoan selfishness and childish behaviour, it's nice to see such professionalism from both parties.

that is true, no one has mentioned utah in this. its all fisher fisher and more fisher. imo he did the only thing any real father would do. the jazz on the other hand let him walk for nothing.