Too Soon to Give Up on Jordan Farmar
Remember when Jordan Farmar was universally considered to be the Lakers' up-and-coming, very promising point guard of the future? It wasn't that long ago – just a few months, actually. For Farmar, it must feel like a lifetime ago.
In December, Farmar underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. In January, he made his return from surgery — a whole month earlier than expected. Since, he has struggled, seemingly making more mistakes on the court than valuable plays, and nowhere near his former self. Some have blamed the early return; others have simply scratched their heads in bewilderment. But few can argue that Jordan Farmar simply hasn't been himself.
As the playoffs drew nearer, Farmar was busy working his way farther and farther down the bench... and then right off it and into Phil Jackson's dog house. In five games against Utah, he played eight combined minutes, split between two games, and did not play (coach's decision) in three.
Many Lakers fans, it seems — including many here at SS&R — have all but given up on Jordan Farmar. He has been too big a disappointment this year, and Shannon Brown has been good enough to relieve any felt need for Farmar on the part of the fans. When Brown continued to deliver at a high level against Utah, as he had begun to at the end of the regualr season, many were convinced that the "future Lakers point guard" torch had been officially passed. The decision was made, the discussion over.
I, for one, was never convinced.
Even those not yet quite ready to write Farmar off seemed more focused on the Lakers' need for him in the short term, rather than any faith in him for the long term. There would come a time, they pointed out, that the Lakers would need Jordan Farmar, and it would benefit us for him to be at least decently productive.
As we learned last night, in the Lakers Game 3 win over the Rockets in Houston, they were right about that. Aaron Brooks had been too quick for Fisher, and his constant penetration into the paint had given the Lakers fits. Even when he wasn't scoring, his penetration opened the game up for his Rockets teammates. Only Farmar had the speed to keep up with Brooks.
With Fisher suspended in Game 3 for a Flagrant II foul on the much larger Luis Scola, Farmar had a chance to prove that his skills were exactly what the Lakers needed. Boy, did he ever. He tallied 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block. His only turnover came off a jump ball that the Rockets won. Meanwhile, he made Brooks a non-factor, limiting him to seven points, three rebounds, and only one assist, while forcing him into three turnovers and drawing three of Brooks' five fouls. In fact, he played Brooks so well that I forgot the Rockets' guard was on the floor for entire chunks of the game — he was that irrelevant.
For many Lakers fans, Farmar's Game 3 performance was a pleasant surprise. I think it was justt pleasant.
Remember, this is the guy who showed up at the Lakers' training facility shortly after the Lakers selected a young point guard, Javaris Crittenton, in the 2007 draft. That was at 9:00 p.m. on an off-season night. To say the guy is up for the challenge is an understatement. While many saw Shannon Brown leap frogging Jordan Farmar in the rotation as Farmar's rotational epitaph, I didn't think Farmar had had his last say yet.
Sure enough, Farmar seems to have accepted the challenge. He understands that his job is not secure, and that he is going to have to earn it. As we have seen in the past, he seems to be at his best when under that kind of internal competitive pressure.
Along the way, Farmar has had to learn some lessons. As quoted in the LA Times, Coach Phil Jackson elaborated, hinting at some of the problems he has had with Farmar:
"I can only hope that he's learned that minutes are not something that are given to you, they're something that you earn," Jackson said. "With the amount of talent that he has around him, he's got to produce. ... I think that's one of the things that he's learned. He's been coming in and shooting, he's been playing hard and doing all the right things."
If Farmar has indeed learned these lessons, his future may yet look bright with the Lakers. If he plays on a regular basis with the kind of heart and passion he showed last night, he will quickly regain his place as a fan favorite. And if Game 3 was any indication of what is to come in the next few weeks, then the Lakers are looking loaded at the point, able to choose between the wily veteran leader (Fisher), the taller, super-athletic defender (Brown), and the confident speed demon (Farmar).
And in the long run, they could have two potential up-and-coming point guards of the future. As observers of Jordan Farmar understand, there's nothing wrong with a little in-house competition.
Welcome back, Jordan. We hope you're here to stay.
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You're absolutely right!
I think a lot of us overreacted when Jordan didn’t play well following his knee injury. I think last night showed that he still has a lot of potential.
by Joey Kaufman on May 9, 2009 3:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I never thought Farmar was out of the picture
But mostly because of Derek Fisher’s age.
He was going to get another shot regardless next year, but he just happened to get an earlier opportunity with Fisher’s suspension, and he made the most of it.
My hope would be that Farmar and Brown would split the majority of the minutes next season, and their mixture would combine to be an excellent tempo change at guard.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on May 9, 2009 3:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
With all that being said
Will/should Fisher start game 4? Since it appears that Farmer matches up better against Brooks, would it make sense to start Farmer and have Fisher come off the bench with Brown.
I’m leaning towards having Farmar start, maybe for the rest of the series. It’s not a knock to Fisher (being the ultimate team player and taking one for the team and all), but if the Lakers want to win this in 5, which appears more likely after last night’s game, couldn’t Farmar be a key factor?
I'm not in denial, I'm just selective about the reality I choose to accept.
by lab_mouse on May 9, 2009 3:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Phil has already said Fisher will start in Game 4
by intuitive on May 9, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess that answers that
But I would still like to see Farmar get the start. If not just to see if he can keep up the same kind of play as we saw in the last game.
I’ll be interested to see then to see how Derek responds after being suspended. Will his 3s be falling in now?
I'm not in denial, I'm just selective about the reality I choose to accept.
by lab_mouse on May 9, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
farmar has been outstanding guarding brooks.
that alone should get him more playing time in this series. i always liked farmar, i just feel his progression is slower than it should be. but he is coming along, and should be retained, he knows the system well by now.
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on May 9, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So as someone who has not seen much of Farmar who does everyone think has the higher ceiling going forward long term Farmar or Brown?
"There are no next times when you're competing for big things." - Tom Izzo
Go Spartans
by msufan23 on May 9, 2009 3:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think
Farmer and Shannon should be the Lakers guards I feel Fisher should go and I’ve felt that way from the begining of the season that Farmer should start and Fisher should come off the bench. Now if we keep Shannon and I hope they do and give Shannon a whole year with the Lakers where he feels more comfortable just like Farmer, Farmer started because he has more familiarity and more comfort with the Lakers so Fisher can go.
by BrittneyM on May 9, 2009 3:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Both of them need a bit more time
They are both really raw
by intuitive on May 9, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I honestly never doubted farmar
I just thought he was just on a bad streak and he would do better after he got used to basketball again. And he did
5 wins down.... 11 more to go
by black mamba on May 9, 2009 4:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So maybe its time to give Sasha some DNP's
and see how he responds because we havent got much out of him at all
by intuitive on May 9, 2009 4:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not his O but we need his D
Thats why Sasha is out there for his D when he even makes one shot I’m happy but as long as he harasses every player he guards then I’m fine with him being on the floor.
by BrittneyM on May 9, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The nuggets take 3-0 lead against the mavs
with carmelo’s 3 near the end of the game
by intuitive on May 9, 2009 5:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If we get past the rockets
the nugs are gonna be tough
5 wins down.... 11 more to go
by black mamba on May 9, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The reason I don't believe in the Nuggets..
because they have noone to guard Kobe they put that short bald dude on Kobe and Kobe gets him in foul trouble and shoots over him all the time, thats why I give them no chance winning against the Lakers and Bynum also plays well vs. the nuggets. I say Lakers in 6 because of Billups.
by BrittneyM on May 9, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha at "short bald dude"

You mean Dahntay?
Bork bork bork!
by Avinash on May 9, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
YAO IS OUT FOR THE REST OF THE PLAYOFFS
:/
by intuitive on May 9, 2009 6:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
link
5 wins down.... 11 more to go
by black mamba on May 9, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4154628
Yao Ming is out for the rest of the playoffs with a broken left foot.
But the Rockets announced later Saturday night that further examination of Yao’s injury revealed a hairline fracture. The Rockets say Yao will need 8-12 weeks to recover, though no surgery is required.
by intuitive on May 9, 2009 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup I just saw the nba.com report also Yao out
Looks like Lakers will certainly move on al they have to do is take care of the rest of the Houston Rockets, next two games should be easy
Here’s the report for others: http://www.nba.com/2009/playoffs2009/05/09/yao.out.playoffs/index.html
by BrittneyM on May 9, 2009 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
YAO IS OUT FOR THE REST OF THE PLAYOFFS
:0 …. :/ …. :l …. :)
by xMUx on May 10, 2009 5:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoevers working the box score in the Cavs Hawks game have wrongly credited Lebron with a couple of assists now…
by intuitive on May 9, 2009 6:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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