After some debate and speculation about where he was going to sign, five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher ultimately landed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not a bad move by Fisher as it gives him a great chance to win a sixth ring before he calls it a career.

Ironically enough, the Los Angeles Lakers are set to do battle with Fisher and the Thunder exactly one week from now on March 29 at the Staples Center. This will no doubt be an emotional game for Fisher, former teammates and the Lakers organization. Despite being a guaranteed tearjerker for some Lakers fans, Kobe Bryant has other plans by saying the following via Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com:

“Look, we don’t get five championships by being sympathetic towards each other and kissing each other’s a– during the game,” Bryant said Wednesday when asked about the Lakers’ upcoming game against the Thunder next week. “I’m going to demolish him. He understands that. If he switches off on me in the post, there’s going to be problems. I’m sure he’ll put an elbow right in my back, and that’s why we love each other.”

That is classic Kobe Bryant for you as he will show no mercy to Derek Fisher come next Thursday night at the Staples Center. This should be an absolute battle from start to finish between these two teams and it wouldn’t surprise me if there is a Fisher montage scheduled for halftime to commemorate all the years he spent with the Lakers and the five titles he helped this storied franchise win.

It will be interesting to see if things get a bit chippy in this game as it will no doubt be full of physical play between two teams fighting it out to be the best in the west!