Derek Fisher has spent the last few years playing under the “Zen master” in Los Angeles, and apparently Phil Jackson has inspired Fisher to start thinking more seriously about spending more time on the bench.
Even though Fisher intends to keep playing in the NBA beyond this season, he could definitely see himself coaching after his playing days are over, according to ESPN.com.
In a recent survey of GMs who were asked "Which active player will make the best head coach someday?", Fisher garnered 28 percent of the vote — eight percent more than his closest peer.
"I think every coach that I've played for, I've always been a really vocal guy, willing to kind of throw my two cents in about game plans and suggestions," Fisher told the Web site. "I think my coaches have always kind of felt like I was on the staff, anyway."
As he gets older, the thought of replacing the high-tops and jersey with a suit and clipboard has crept more into the 35-year-old Fisher’s mind. One of his good friends — fellow Arkansas native Corliss Williamson — is just two years older than Fisher and recently accepted the head coaching position at Central Arkansas University.
"I just told him to leave a seat open for me, just in case things don't go well for me in July," Fisher told the site with a laugh, alluding to his pending free agency.
Point guards are charged with being an extension of the coach on the court, so the transition for Fisher would be an easy one. For right now though, he’ll put the thought in the back of his mind and focus on winning another title or two in the purple and gold.
