Mark Cuban was not exactly pleased when Derek Fisher signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After being released by the team in December to deal with lingering injuries, Fisher headed to the Thunder without notifying the Mavericks. In his first game back in Dallas, Cuban let Fisher known his exact feelings for the veteran by booing him and encouraging fans to do the same.
Fisher had a short and ineffective stint with the Mavericks. Cuban agreed to release him in order for Fisher to focus on rehabbing an injured knee and handle his duties with NBA Players Association. As soon as he took care of those things, Fisher bolted for the Thunder. He gave no warning to Cuban or the team; they had no chance to offer him a deal in an effort to re-sign him.
Cuban was angry the five-time NBA champion decided to join another Western Conference contender after leaving the team. He believes he helped Fisher restart his career after starting the season without a team. Prior to Sunday's game, Cuban said he will boo Fisher's entrance and hoped other fans would too. Mavericks' fans followed the owner's lead and booed Fisher when he entered the game with 1:45 left to play. They cheered loudly when he received his first foul 10 seconds later. Oklahoma eventually won 107-101.
Cuban sees his booing as fitting since he believes the Mavericks did Fisher a favor by signing him. Fisher has been preaching a new era of openness and transparency in his position with NBPA and did not exactly show that with the way he treated the signing with the Thunder. Fisher does have a history of jumping teams without notice. In 2007, he nullified his contract with the Utah Jazz and quickly jumped ship to the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2012, Fisher was dealt the Houston Rockets and then signed with the Thunder. This is not the first time Cuban has expressed his distaste for a player he claims to be disloyal to the team. Cuban refused to retire Jason Kidd's jersey after he signed with the New York Knicks last summer.
This is not the first time Cuban has expressed his distaste for a player he claims to be disloyal to the team. Cuban refused to retire Jason Kidd's jersey after he signed with the New York Knicks last summer.
