Golden Years

Derek Fisher is wearing a new uniform, barely a mile away from his ex-teammates. He might as well be a world apart.

The Golden State Warriors are holding training camp whisker-close to where the Lakers are lodging for theirs, similarities that begin and end with geography.

Fisher now plays for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 10 years. His passes to No. 34 are to Mike Dunleavy, not Shaquille O’Neal. Where his former team held annual championship aspirations, his current team would be happy if it’s not a lottery shoo-in by March.

Fisher recognizes the changes, even embraces them.

He has switched jersey numbers, discarding his familiar No. 2 for a more symbolic No. 4 that he wore in high school and at Arkansas Little Rock.

“We had great things we accomplished in L.A., but it symbolizes the time to move on and establish some new memories and new accomplishments at Golden State,” Fisher said. “I’m looking forward to a new beginning here with the Warriors but also still reminding myself of old times, playing the same way how I played in high school and college.”

For all his success with the Lakers -- three championships in eight seasons -- Fisher rarely rose above role player. He averaged 7.4 points and three assists and started 222 of 544 regular-season games.

He played a more important role as a mediator, a harmonizing voice of reason who often played peacekeeper among the big names and bigger egos.

When the Warriors came calling in July, Fisher was ready to go. An unrestricted free agent, he signed a six-year, $37-million deal. He made $3 million with the Lakers last season.

“It’s almost like the feeling of starting your own business, and you get to express yourself more,” he said at his introductory news conference. “Playing with Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq ... you have to contribute whatever’s best for the team. Some of my leadership skills and abilities were diminished a little bit.”

Fisher, 30, can’t possibly break all the bonds formed through champagne showers and victory parades. At the same time, he hasn’t been able to meet up with his former teammates despite their proximity this week.

The Warriors are practicing at UC San Diego, a short drive from where the Lakers are staying, but conflicting training camp schedules have prevented a reunion. The Lakers are done with practice most days by 4 p.m., and the Warriors have several night practices.

“It’s weird not seeing him,” Laker forward Devean George said. “I talked to him the other night and was like, ‘We’re done with practice, we’re going to go eat dinner.’ He left a message saying, ‘We’re heading to our second practice. I’m not going to be able to make it.’ ”

Said Fisher: “I’ll try to find one evening to grab dinner with a couple of the guys, but I have to spend a lot of time trying to know my new guys. I might not find time on this trip, but we play them a couple of times in the preseason where we’ll be by them for four or five days. Maybe I’ll find a better time to do it then.”

The Warriors have not guaranteed a staring spot for Fisher, who is battling Speedy Claxton at point guard, but they understand what they’ve acquired.

Fisher has been in the playoffs every year of his career, with some memorable moments to boot: He averaged 13.4 points in the 2001 playoffs and hit an unforgettable shot last season with 0.4 of a second left in Game 5 of Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio.

“Derek’s a championship-level player, so there’s a certain amount of respect to give a guy because of that,” first-year Warrior Coach Mike Montgomery said. “He wants to lead, he wants to do the right things. He’s a solid player. I think over time as guys get to know him, they’re going to respect his work ethic, respect the kind of guy he is and I think he’s going to be a real positive for us.”

The Warriors won only 37 games last season and lost two of their top scorers, Nick Van Exel and Erick Dampier. Fisher isn’t flinching.

“It’s refreshing in a sense,” he said. “All of us in our life, we face different obstacles and different challenges. We go through different stages in life. I’m looking forward to a change. Hopefully we can do some good things this year.”