'The professional part comes first before the basketball' - Derek Fisher on how Byron Scott's guidance helped him during his rookie year

Making it to the NBA is one thing, but ensuring one stays there is another. This is something that often gets lost in the glitz and glamour of professional basketball.

According to Los Angeles Lakers legend Derek Fisher, being a rookie in the Association is no mean feat. Fortunately, he and his fellow Lakers rookies on the 1996-1997 squad had veteran guard Byron Scott to guide them through their first season in the league.

Transitioning from the NCAA to the NBA is difficult

Making the jump from collegiate to professional basketball may seem glamorous, and to a certain extent, it's true. From earning huge paychecks to gaining access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the perks of being an NBA player are endless. However, what often gets overlooked is the challenging transition from college to professional basketball.

"It's hard to explain to people how challenging the transition is from not just playing basketball, you know, in college and then moving to the NBA, but just as a young man. You have no idea what the lifestyle is like, the choices, the decisions you're going to have to make," Fisher, a five-time champion with the Lakers, said on "Byron Scott's  Fast Break."

Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, "D-Fish" watched plenty of basketball. However, he soon realized that watching from a distance and living the NBA life were two completely different things. In addition, he quickly learned from the jump that one crucial requirement of being a professional basketball player was to be professional in all aspects of life, not just on the court.

"It's a professional basketball league. And there used to be a requirement that you were professional. The professional part comes first before the basketball. If you weren't professional, you couldn't get access to the basketball," Derek stressed. "If you weren't professional, bro, you were out of here."

Fisher said being professional meant paying attention to all the details and going the extra mile to stand out and make a positive impression. This included being on time for team meetings, practices, and travel, taking care of your body through proper nutrition and rest, and dressing and speaking professionally.

"Lord Byron" was the blueprint

By the time Derek and Kobe arrived in the NBA, "Lord Byron" was playing in his 14th and final season. And with three rings, it was safe to say he already had a solid grasp of what it meant to be a professional and what it took to become an NBA champ. Fisher said he and the younger players on the Lakers didn't have to look far for inspiration and guidance.

"Seeing how B carried himself—the way he came to work, how he showed up, how consistent he was, how he wasn't emotionally high and low based on what was going on—this is from somebody that had already won three championships, you know, who we watched winning at the highest levels, playing with some of the greatest players," Derek remarked. "So if he's' carrying himself like that, then I'm damn sure better show up all time focused, paying attention to the game plan, not goofing off in practice, not talking on the side while coaches talk."

After "B-Scott" retired from the NBA after the 1996-1997 season, Fisher applied all that he learned from the veteran guard to his career. He became known for his strong work ethic and consistent performances on the court, helping the Lakers win three straight titles from 2000 to 2002 and a couple more in 2009 and 2010.