Kevin Durant says Derek Fisher would succeed as NBA coach

May 15, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts with guard Derek Fisher (6) after a technical foul during the first half in game six of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Fisher is 39 years old, and there’s a good chance his seemingly endless NBA career finally comes to a close after this season. And he may follow in the footsteps of another longtime NBA point guard. Almost immediately after retiring, Jason Kidd took over as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

The New York Knicks–without a coach after letting Mike Woodson go–have reportedly pegged Fisher as a potential candidate. Yesterday, the New York Post asked his teammate, Kevin Durant, how he thought Fisher would do as an NBA coach. Durant, as any good teammate would, said that Fisher would be great.

"“Without a doubt. He’s a smart guy, smart mind. He’s a great motivator, great speaker and can really relate to a lot of guys and demands that respect from everybody. He’s a great locker-room guy. I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”"

Fisher’s veteran leadership has garnered him a lot of respect in the Thunder locker room, and he could probably translate well as a coach, but we’ll have to wait until the summer to see if he’s even interested. If he’s not, then everyone who is possibly looking at Fisher will have to move on but there’s obvious temptation both ways for Fisher and there seems to be a lot of pros and a lot of cons no matter which decision he ends up making this offseason.

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