Five-time NBA Champion Derek Fisher compares modern-day NBA to WWE

Photo Courtesy: NBA

Fisher explains why he compared the two.

Throughout Derek Fisher’s pro basketball career, he won five NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. After his playing days, he ventured into coaching and served as President of the National Basketball Players Association. 

Fisher weighed in on the modern-day NBA as he guest appeared on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast. He compared today’s game to the WWE.

So then when I kind of tap into more of — just as basketball fan when I watch the NBA today, I sometimes compare it to if, you know, for those of you that remember when the WWE was WWF. I don’t know if everybody remembers that. But there was a time where WWE was WWF, World Wrestling Federation, and then it shifted to World Wrestling Entertainment. Again, not right or wrong because one could argue that the WWE is a more impactful sport than the WWF was, depending on what side of the conversation you’re on. I feel like all of pro sports to some degree, not just in NBA — even NFL, you listen to guys that played before, coached before. It’s a different game and it’s not a negative thing. It is built more for the entertainment value maybe than the competitive value. We, in previous generations, it was designed as though it was a battle, a war. Gladiator so to speak, and it doesn’t mean the guys now aren’t tough, they’re soft. I’m not saying that. I know that is said in some conversations but, that’s not what I’m saying but it’s definitely a different way that they are able to show up and compete.

The 2024-2025 NBA regular season kicks off in October. All Elite Wrestling was regularly promoted during the NBA on TNT broadcasts. 

A new report emerged regarding AEW’s new television deal with Warner Bros. Discovery and to read more on that, click here.

If the quote in this article are used, please credit Byron Scott’s Fast Break with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcription.

About Andrew Thompson 9441 Articles
A Washington D.C. native and graduate of Norfolk State University, Andrew Thompson has been covering wrestling since 2017.