Fish huge fan of Coach K

One NBA personnel director, noting Derek Fisher’s rahrah speeches, salesmanship, excessive use of timeouts as learning experiences and constant rhetoric of building character and culture, is convinced he’d make a terrific college coach.

It’s no surprise one of the Knicks coach’s role models is Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who won his fifth NCAA championship Monday night in Indianapolis.

Fisher revealed one of the motivations of staying in Las Vegas last July for Team USA’s practices after the Knicks participation in summer league had ended was to watch Coach K, whom he calls “a beacon of light.’’

“That was part of the reason, other than going to see Tim [ Hardaway Jr. on the Select Team] last year in Vegas,’’ Fisher said. “I wanted to kind of observe Coach K and his coaches doing what they do. He’s obviously been a model of success for decades.

“Many young people, players, coaches, executives, business people have all learned from what he does. He’ s an inspiration to many people not just in basketball life.

“He’s what I’m striving to become,’’ added Fisher, who considers former Dukie Lance Thomas one of his favorites. “His leadership is consistent. He’s consistent in the kind of guys he brings to the program.’’

Krzyzewski, former coach at Army, took Team USA to West Point for part of training camp last August, and Fisher copied him, bringing the Knicks there, touting the environment of sacrifice and team building.

It hasn’t worked out the way it did for Team USA, which won the World Cup gold medal, or for Duke. But Fisher, who carries a 1562 record into Wednesday’s game against. the Pacers, said he thinks continuity next season will mean more success, even if half the roster will change.

“The guys who are back will understand who we are,’’ Fisher said. “The guy we’re fortunate to draft, the free agents we sign, will be here from Day 1. There won’t be as much transition and turnover with new personalities and new leadership styles. That will work better for everyone.’’