New L.A. Lakers coach Mike Brown ain't exactly getting a warm welcome from fans -- but point guard Derek Fisher tells TMZ, he likes LeBron's old mentor ... and has a LOT of faith in his coaching abilities.


As for the Dallas Mavericks -- um, let's change the subject.

TMZ has learned the New Orleans Saints are determined to get Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher into their locker room for opening day ... because they believe Fish holds the key to back-to-back championships.



Sources close to the deal tell TMZ that Derek "has been asked by the Saints to address the team before their home opener in N.O. on September 9."

We're told the team especially wants Derek to talk about what it takes to lock down consecutive championships "as he did with the Lakers."
 
Fisher personally received calls from coaches and "other team staff" -- and we're told the courting worked ... because Fisher agreed and will be in the Superdome to pump up the reigning Super Bowl champs before they take the field.

TMZ has learned Derek Fisher has officially decided to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers -- and  the person who had the biggest impact on his decision was his friend and teammate Kobe Bryant. 



Fisher tells TMZ, "I have decided to continue with Kobe, continue with our teammates and the fans of Los Angeles."

He adds, "While this may not be the most lucrative contract I've been offered this off season, it is the most valuable."

As we first reported, Fisher was being courted by LeBron James' new squad -- the Miami Heat -- but ultimately decided to stay in L.A.

"At the end of the day, there's one person I could not turn away from," Fisher tells us. "Kobe Bryant asked me to stay but supported whatever decision I made. He and I have played together for 11 seasons, came into the league together as kids, and has been loyal to me even when others had doubts."

Derek Fisher is currently meeting with Miami Heat team president Pat Riley and owner Micky Arison to discuss the possibility of signing with the Heat ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Fish is meeting with Riley and Arison at the Mandarian Oriental Hotel in Miami. The meeting began around 12:30 PM ET.

Riley has already made the biggest splash in NBA free agency, signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh while re-signing Dwyane Wade. Signing Fisher -- a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers -- would be a huge step towards filling out the rest of the roster.

The Miami Heat aren't done hunting for talent -- TMZ has learned LeBron James' new team is in hot pursuit of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Derek Fisher.



Well-placed NBA sources tell TMZ ... Fisher -- who has 5 championship rings -- has been contacted by several members of the Heat organization including multiple players.

We're told Fisher -- who is a free agent -- is slated to be in Miami tomorrow to hear a pitch from Miami Heat President Pat Riley.

It's been reported that Fisher already has an offer on the table from the Lakers -- but it ain't exactly a killer deal. We'll see if  the Heat have enough cash left to bring the Fish to South Beach.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher wants to make one thing clear -- he's no Waffle House brawler.

Reports surfaced yesterday that the Lakers guard was involved in a fight at a Waffle House in Oklahoma City last week.

But Derek told TMZ the full story, and says the only truth is he was at a Waffle House -- a year ago!

He says the brawl went down when two dudes began scrapping over Derek's autograph.  Derek says he was "an innocent bystander," and cops eventually broke up the fight.

Derek is unclear why this old story is just coming up. 

 

We're sure it has nothing to do with OKC Thunder fans trying to get in Fisher's head before game 6 .

 

 

Derek Fisher was granted a permanent restraining order this week against a crazy fan who claimed they were married -- but we got the L.A. Laker out last night with his actual wife who agreed, "some people need a little help."

A judge just made the temporary restraining order against the woman accused of harassing Lakers star Derek Fisher permanent -- it didn't help her case that she was a no-show.

Fisher got the TRO late last month after alleging the woman had harassed him for years -- claiming they were married, among other things -- despite the fact Fisher claims they never met.

The woman, who changed her last name to Fisher, claimed she was "The REAL Mrs. Fisher" on her MySpace page. Fisher alleged she started showing up at his home, scaring his wife and kids.

We've learned why Derek Fisher couldn't get a restraining order against his alleged stalker a few years back -- she disappeared before cops could do their thing.



Derek filed papers against Symone Anastasia back in March of '06 -- claiming Symone wouldn't stop sending him a flurry of mail and faxes -- she even called his mother.

The case was dropped after Symone disappeared, temporarily moving out of the L.A. area.

Derek was more successful this week. As we first reported, he scored a restraining order, after alleging Symone had become dangerous and delusional.

NBA star Derek Fisher, a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, got a judge to issue an order of protection against a woman who's been harassing him and his family for a long time -- and the danger is escalating.

We've learned the woman is a stranger who may have mental issues. She claims to be in an ongoing relationship with him for years. She started showing up at his home, scaring his wife and kids.

She changed her last name to Fisher ... Her first name is Symone.

Derek Fisher is playing tonight in the playoff game against Utah.

Fisher says Symone has been harassing him for years. They have no relationship of any kind. She believes they are either married, or parenting children together -- she's claimed both. She has said she felt God wanted them to be married.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department -- Major Crimes Unit -- is investigating the matter and recommended that Fisher get a restraining order. The Sheriff filed a declaration with the court, claiming her threats were escalating and a matter of concern.

On her MySpace page, Symone calls herself "The REAL Mrs. Fisher." The court papers include love letters she sent him. "If I give your sexy ass my new # r u going to call me or will u send the po po after me? Meanie." And another: "Yes, I do want to have your babies - the ones you keep showing me. Our beautiful sons. Place them in my womb now."

In Derek's declaration, he says Symone "has repeatedly expressed anger and hostility towards me and my family." He adds, "Given this harassing and stalking behavior, I believe that any sort of further escalation at this point would put me and my family in danger."

According to a declaration from Fisher's security guy, Symone "began sending unsolicited and unwanted packages of compact discs of love songs to Mr. Fisher at the [Lakers] practice facility."

This has been going on for a long time -- We found that Derek applied for a restraining order against Symone back in 2005 but it was dismissed because he didn't follow through in court.

Los Angeles Lakers stars Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Trevor Ariza, Sasha Vujacic and Vladimir Radmanovic hit up hotspot Republic for Ronny Turiaf's birthday party last night -- but none were in a festive mood.


The Lakers were blown out at home by the Phoenix Suns and each Laker that entered the club looked to be in a worse mood than the one before.

It's only a game, guys!