Report Card - Jordan Farmar
Some folks were surprised to even see Jordan Farmar in a Laker uni come late October, given how the off-season included the Lakers' drafting Javaris Crittenton from Georgia Tech, then signing Derek Fisher when family matters led to his release from the Utah Jazz. Both developments, along with Farmar's mighty struggles in the 2007 playoffs (albeit against Steve Nash, who often makes many a point guard look bad) led to speculation that the Lakers were putting him on the block. To his credit, the former Bruin didn't sulk upon the arrival of either new teammate and by all accounts, handled the situation by upping an already gym-rat-centric schedule.
Then, despite whatever theoretical question marks were surrounding him,
Farmar found keys of sorts being handed to him during preseason. In
part because of the Jordan's skill set and quickness, Phil Jackson
opted to run (literally) with a pine unit frequently pushing the
tempo. The quarterback was Farmar, who proved himself perhaps not
quite Peyton Manning, but definitely a far, far cry from Ryan Leaf.
The role suited him well and he helped create a chemistry among his
fellow second stringers that became a season-long asset for the
Lakers.
For that matter, so was Farmar.
The work put in during the summer was evident off the bat, as double figures were racked in nine out of fifteen games. Scorching from both the field (51%) and from behind the arc (41%), Fisher's sub constantly attacked the rim, working a sweet teardrop or worming his way past defenders for a layup. A kinship with Andrew Bynum also developed in ASAP fashion, the pair often running a two-man with both greatly flourished. But no matter who shuffled in and out of the second unit, Farmar typically helped them and himself. In just five additional minutes than than his rookie season, Farmar doubled (and then some) his scoring figures, reminiscent of the sizable bumps accrued in just about every major statistical category (the exception being turnovers, which ain't exactly a bad thing).
At times, however, I wasn't enamored with every increased tally. I've never been to Farmar's casa, but as the season
wore on, he appeared to be represent Downtown, too often firing away from behind the arc with results not always kind (most visibly apparent in a disappointing March). And one big weakness from last season still lingers. The second year guard is often good for a timely steal (among those playing a full season, his per-48 ranked only behind Kobe Bryant), but as we saw during the playoffs, Farmar remains susceptible to getting beat off the dribble or, especially, bullied around by bigger players. In particular, Deron Williams destroyed him.
This defensive shortcoming has some doubting whether Farmar is ready for life in the Kobe-Pau-Bynum Lane, a question even more relevant with Fisher having concluded a "better than expected but ain't getting any younger" campaign. To be honest, I understand the uncertainty, especially in regards to Jordan's size. But even if Farmar remains bench bound next season, that's hardly a catastrophe. He'd be one of the NBA's best backup points and with more strides, perhaps among the better sixth men. Either way, he's proved himself at just 21-years-old capable of contributing to a championship caliber squad, so there's little reason to be down on a player who avoided the dreaded sophomore slump.
Final grade: B+
AK
Jordan needs more PT and keep driving to the hoop. With his skill set, he can be a Tony Parker type player without the Hot Latin wife...
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 11:25 AM
GOD DAMNED AGENTS:
http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/
breakout/stories/
PE_Sports_Local_S_web_lakers_
01.4713233.html
I know that the agent is only doing his job but damn. I guess all that "if only Bynum wasn't hurt....." crying we did during the finals has come back to bite us in the @ss . Drew still has the final say so as to what type of contracr he's willing to accept
Posted by: richtown | July 01, 2008 at 11:31 AM
"Gym rat?" With those ears, more like Basket Ball Mouse.
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 11:35 AM
This kid's a keeper. I agree with the Tony Parker analogy, and I'll go a step further by saying Farmar, in only his second season, showed me more moxie earlier than Parker did for SA. Plus, he's a better long-range shooter than Parker.
Posted by: Dalton | July 01, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Dalton,
"and I'll go a step further by saying Farmar, in only his second season, showed me more moxie earlier than Parker did for SA."
And that's on limited PT.
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Richtown,
That's negotiation tactics. Don't get too concerned.
Charles,
"Basket Ball Mouse" -- True. hahahaha
Posted by: HmrHed | July 01, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Farmar is the man. He just needs to slightly improve certain parts of his game. He needs to get a little better at defense. While he got burned by Dwill I thought he played great defense against Boston, ofcourse Boston doesn't have the best pgs, but theres still plenty of hope. I also want to see Farmar do more driving to the lane next year. I believe this is the best part of his game with his 40 inch vertical. He can get up. I don't mind if he shoots 3s, I just want to see him drive too.
All in all Farmar is the Lakers pg of the future. He's got heart, fire, and some skills. I'm excited to see him improve again this offseason. He will never be a Laker great but he will always be an asset to us.
Lamar = Laker for Life
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | July 01, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Charles,
that was funny!!
As for Jordan, keep working on your shot, develop more consistency and an in between game and better efficiency overall and of course, defense..Maybe now, he will do a little less Yoga and hit some free weights!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | July 01, 2008 at 11:55 AM
OH yeah, and Jordan, develop better playmaking skills!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | July 01, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Everyone is right on here. I say drive the basket Jordan and hone the defense - he can be as pesky as Sasha learned to be and that's not such a bad thing.......
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | July 01, 2008 at 11:59 AM
At this point, Bynum's agent is only rattling his saber. They have no leverage because Bynum is technically under contract for the next two seasons. The Lakers have no motivation to make a max extension offer to a 20 year-old player who hasn't proven he can play an entire season of ball at a high level. I'm guessing the Lakers will let the season play out before they negotiate any deals with Andrew. Maybe they wait until they see his recovery, and negotiate something before the season. He'll be training again in a week anyway.
He's just ruffling feathers with inflammatory comments. And sounding like an jerk while doing it.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | July 01, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Charles,
I just found your comment from a couple of days ago regarding the Rampage Jackson and Forrest Griffin fight this weekend. Sorry it took so long, but it's the first time I've been to Vegas in about 2 years, so it took me a couple of days to regain my sanity and do things like "Check the Blog".
I think you're right about Rampage looking like he will destroy Forrest, but you never know in the UFC. Also Forrest seems to do his best when he is "Cut up and bloody". I'm really looking forward to it. It's my first UFC in person.
Posted by: Eric M. | July 01, 2008 at 12:02 PM
I see that the short yellow bus continues to drop off certain trolls at this blog for a stimulating time. However, the bus driver apparently forgets to pick them up from time to time and they soil themselves. We at Laker Nation are not heartless, we will watch you until someone wants you back. We may be waiting a while.
Posted by: HmrHed | July 01, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Richtown - Bynum's agent had to say that or he wouldn't be doing his job. It will all work out.
Posted by: dave m | July 01, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Jackson not looking back on Finals loss
3:57 PM Fri, Jun 20, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted by: PE Sports
It is not in Lakers coach Phil Jackson's nature to look back.
Jackson's motto has always been to be in the moment.
His team lost in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics, getting hammered in Game 6.
His players have spent time reviewing all their wrongs.
Jackson was asked Friday at the team's exit interviews, if like the players, he wondered about making the right moves or the wrong moves.
``I try not to get too caught up in that,'' Jackson said. ``I try to learn from history. I just try not to repeat it. If you get too obsessed with it, then you get in a position where you might just accidently repeat what you've done wrong by trying to eliminate a mistake.''
-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com
[Now that is a contradiction in terms.
PJ does not like looking back at history and then the story goes on he looks at history but does not dwell on it. WTF??
Those who refuse to look back at history tend to make the same mistakes in the future!
So not to dwell so not to repeat mistakes by making adjustments tend to lead to making same mistakes? What has he been smoking? That is like not coaching to learn from Zen and live in the moment. Ooops he already does that.
Better to see past and prepare for future so as not to repeat same mistakes while living in the present.
That is better than Zen. OHMMMMM.]
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 01, 2008 at 12:12 PM
There was a video journal earlier in the season... I saw an episode with Farmar, Luke, Turief and L.O. - did anyone else see it? It was pretty funny - Farmar was saying how everyone calls him 'yoga-boy'.
Posted by: dave m | July 01, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Jordan Farmar can play in this league! The question is will he continue to do what it takes to stay? He needs to build upper body strength as well his legs and defensive foot work. Also stop taking advice from Luke and work on his game every day not once a month!
Posted by: chuck23 | July 01, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Another Wannabe Jordan. Farmar Jordan!
Dude disappeared in the finals?
When Celt fans were chanting "You're not Jordan" to Kobe mabye some were referring to Farmer-boy.
hahahahahhah
Farmar is no good, no good I say.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 01, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Farmar PG of the "future"!
Wa-what?
Yous crazies!
Go C's!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 01, 2008 at 12:15 PM
This kid's a keeper. I agree with the Tony Parker analogy, and I'll go a step further by saying Farmar, in only his second season, showed me more moxie earlier than Parker did for SA. Plus, he's a better long-range shooter than Parker.
Posted by: Dalton | July 01, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Dalton,
"and I'll go a step further by saying Farmar, in only his second season, showed me more moxie earlier than Parker did for SA."
And that's on limited PT.
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Guys,
JF is good back up pg but not all star material. He is not as quick as you guys think as he kept getting beat off dribble and could not stay in front of his man. Can't coach speed. Not as fast as TP.
Yes he did get out muscled by bigger pgs but that is fixable with time in weight room.
He has had more pt than the other rookies and a lot more run as sophmore than others from PJ. He did do well but why has not PJ given C Karl or Crit the same love? At least in Crits case imo he will be better pg in future. But alas he is gone.
JF can be a best 6th man of league type player but will not rank as top tier pg.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | July 01, 2008 at 12:19 PM
AK,
Excellent report card for Farmar. What really sets this guy apart from other players are his mental toughness, ultimate confidence, high basketball IQ, and Kobe-like work ethic. I loved the way that Jordan played fearlessly in the conference and NBA finals and came back strong after the poor showing against Utah and Deron Williams.
I look for Farmar to come back and have a breakout 3rd year much like Deron Williams. He needs to put on muscle over the summer and work on his lateral movement on defense as well as improving his anticipation so that he can draw some charges and beat guys to the screen rather than getting easily picked off all the time. Farmar is exactly the type of player for whom the Lakers should consider hiring Michael Cooper as a defensive coach. If Jordan can learn to use his skills and talents and basketball IQ better defensively, he has the potential to become the Lakers point guard or 6th man of the future.
Offensively, I like his recent play focusing more on driving to the rim rather than just chucking up 3-pointers. Two things that Farmar needs to work on are (1) bringing back his old teardrop shot that he used at UCLA and during his rookie year and (2) learning how to finish his drive to the hoop with a jump stop in the lane so that he can better use his excellent quickness and vertical leap without getting his shot blocked. Finishing with a jump stop will get him more points, assists, and free throws than going straight to the hoop off of one foot via a normal drive, especially when teams are playing physical.
At any rate, Bynum A-, Sasha B+, and Farmar B+ all just support that the Lakers had almost every player on the team play at their career bests. Good job, Andy.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 01, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Dalton
lakersrydeordie
Eric M.
HmrHed
Chest Pound
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 12:41 PM
A very fair report card for Jordan. I think his biggest challenge last season was that 21-year olds are not fully matured in their decision-making abilities. (Scientists say that full decision-making maturity doesn't come until age 24). That, and his size and strength.
A good summer program of working on his basketball skills and some serious weight training, plus just being older should prepare him to share equal minutes with D-Fish.
I expect the team to be better on almost every level next season. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rick Friedman | July 01, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Let's Go C's -
shut up idiot
Posted by: hey jerk, that's my team | July 01, 2008 at 12:49 PM
JustaLakerFan
I never said anything about JF's defensive prowess. Tony Parker does not strike me as a defensive presence of a PG either. (To me, D Will and CP3 are already better than TP)
I just feel with the way he can drive to the hoop, and the work he put in his jump shot, is resembles TP with his offense.
And I agree he will be a great 6th man type player.
I also am very big on Javaris. I wish he was still with us. It kept Jordie and JC on their competitive toes.
I really envisioned JC great for the triangle and would have been our starting PG after Fish. (All Speculation)
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Justalakerfan,
"He has had more pt than the other rookies and a lot more run as sophmore than others from PJ."
Smush for the first year. Fisher coming back and Sasha Moving to the 2.
"He did do well but why has not PJ given C Karl or Crit the same love?"
Coby Karl was being played as a 2 guard. Behind Kobe and Sasha, you wouldn't find PT. And if you see him as a PG; Fisher then Farmar took those minutes.
Best,
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Gilbert Arenas got a max offer from the Warriors???
Wow... the Kwammus is stunned...
Posted by: Kwaminus III, 4th Earl of the Secret Society of the Brimming Calves | July 01, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Jordan's game is at it's best when he's doing UCLA style slashing. Dude can sho-nuff take it to the hole and draw contact in the paint. More slashing and less 3 point shooting this year - along with more of D-Fish's tutelage - and he'll be fine.
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | July 01, 2008 at 01:19 PM
This has gotten little pub -- but check it out, re no proof of funny business in 2002 playoffs.
http://tinyurl.com/6jjeeq
Posted by: HmrHed | July 01, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Pseudo Basketball Intellectual’s BANDWGON:
Giddy up Driver --- LakerTom
Shotgun Side kick -- Fairweather Fatty
Hornwsaggler------ Jon. K
Bamboozler ------- Michael C. Teniente
Cooley ------------- Charles
Wannabe Gunslinger ------- Mamba24
Wanted in Castro,CA - Butler and Let's go C's
Horsethief in Preacher’s robe - utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER
Town Clown------ Butler
Town Drunk - ----- Let's go C's
Edwin Gueco------ Just another town drunk
Bordello Madam – Lakergurl aka Missy
Saloon Dancer – Faith aka Lilly
Barkeep with a cute apron - Jesterguru
Wet Behind the Ears - Hugo Boss
Greenhorn - Caliphilosopher
heehaaw
Posted by: heehaaw | July 01, 2008 at 01:37 PM
I need better D from the Farm. Otherwise good stuff.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | July 01, 2008 at 01:42 PM
GRIZZLIES AGREE TO THREE-YEAR, $10M
CONTRACT WITH PAU GASOL'S BROTHER
by Marty Burns for SI.com
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/marty_burns/07/01/gasol/
The Lakers 207 2nd round draft pick gets bigger rookie contract than Derrick Rose!
Guess that shows that Mitch knew what he was doing in drafting Marc Gasol. As I said earlier to the Memphis critics, Marc Gasol was a major reason that Memphis wanted to make the deal with the Lakers. It will be interesting to see how Joe Crawford and Sun Yue turn out. Mitch is on a great roll as far as his drafting and trading moves.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 01, 2008 at 01:50 PM
heehaaw
I am so far from being a_intelecktual. Check my spelliinngg and grammerr.
Beist Reguards,
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Keep Marc warm for us Grizz -- we'll come calling soon.
Posted by: HmrHed | July 01, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Why are people talking about Arenas, Bynum, in a thread where the subject is Jordan Farmar?
Farmar has a lot of potential and hopefully his confidence will not burden his drive to excel defensively. Until he can play decent defense, he will always be that bench guy providing the offensive spark.
Posted by: Lakafo0 | July 01, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Eric M.
Thanks for the reply.
If you watch Q punch, he throws punches barreling forward with his hips, (same side punching arm) and upper back.
Forrest throws a lot of looping punches after someone throws. A la' Chuck Lidell with the same timing but different power.
The difference is the timing. Q punches and goes on top of the opponents punching acting as both a bulling maneuver to push someone against the fence. Forrest has a heavy Boxer's approach in slipping and counter punching.
But anybody has a punchers chance. I thought Shogun Rua would've eaten Griffin alive. But like all the Pride fighters that have come to the Octagon format, they have not been successful except for Q.
Bellagio Buffet = Beef Wellington and Kobe Beef with at least three Crustacean's available.
One Love and Have Fun.
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Charles:
That is why I picked you as a cooley :)
hehaaw
Posted by: | July 01, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Morning all...I am not totally sold on Farmar and to be honest i am not sure why.Its like some really good stuff them alot of dumb stuff and then some ok stuff after..I know he is still young,but i like the Critter and his size more.I understand that players like Williams(Deron) dont just fall from tree's but how about Jaret Jack.?I would trade Famar for Jack in a heart beat.At 6,3 he has good size and is a lot stronger than Farmar.(Sorry dreaming again)...BTW AK/BK..As you already know,under the heading POST A COMMENT..It says very clearly 'IF YOU ARE UNDER 13 YEARS OF AGE YOU MAY READ THIS MESSAGE BOARD,BUT YOU MAY NOT PARTICIPATE..So why do lets go c's posts get posted?
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 01, 2008 at 02:09 PM
These Celtic fans make me sick. Was it not a year ago that they were chanting MVP to Kobe in Boston. Now come on, they just jump on the wagon. Mchale gave Garnett to Boston for nothing to keep him away from Lakers. So come on with this crap. Lakers started 2000 winning championships they gonna finish 2000 winning championships.
Boston took so many years to rebuild and win one. It took the Lakers a few and we back for more
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: #1 LAKERFAN IN TEXAS | July 01, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Amen Ladies and Ladies,
I've made the "Fanwagon" list.
heehaw! M-fudgers
Call me all the names yous wants, but C's still DOMINATED your Fakers all season and the playoffs.
So much for the "best player on the planet"?
So much for Kobe versus Jordan. I'm not talkin' about Jordan Famer-boi either.
ahahhahahahahahahahah
hehehheeheheheheheheheheh!
Let's go C's!
Whazzz up girls? Where yous at? Home with mama?
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 01, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Texas? Only Steers and Queers come from Texas.
Shoot.
Those weren't C fans chanting at Kobeef, those were bandwagon Faker fans chanting "Kobe how does Shaq's azz taste?"
Wehere yous at?
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 01, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Lakafo0
"Why are people talking about Arenas, Bynum, in a thread where the subject is Jordan Farmar?"
That's the nature of a blog and conversation sir.
Have a good one.
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 02:21 PM
AK,
I agree with grade. Good summation.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 01, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Maybe "The Rat" should be Jordan Farmar's new moniker. I mean that in the best way possible.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 01, 2008 at 02:23 PM
#1 LAKERFAN IN TEXAS,
That is the most annoying part of the present Celtics fan base. They're not diehard fans like Laker Nation. They're primarily bandwagoneers who scream like they've been wrongfully denied for 21 years. Yeah, right.
Lakers now. Lakers tomorrow. Lakers forever.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 01, 2008 at 02:26 PM
It's a little unsettling that I don't think we're really going to have a lot to talk about over the next 100 days or so regarding the Lakers.
Maybe Kwame Brown returning to the Lakers.
Maybe Quinton Ross signing with the Lakers.
Not much else.
The Clippers on the other hand! It's a madhouse over there!
Now, if they sign Baron Davis (who as a fellow Bruin, I like), suddenly the Clippers have a team! I'm all for that!
Baron Davis
Elton Brand
Chris Kaman
Cuttino Mobley
Al Thorton
With Shaun Livingston and Eric Gordon on the bench.
That's a team that would make the playoffs.
I firmly believe that a good Clippers team is good for Los Angeles and good for the Lakers (it brings more passion to Los Angeles basketball).
Go Clippers!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 01, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Pajaro
You are too much in the fun department!
Posted by: Charles | July 01, 2008 at 02:35 PM
By the way, for those who don't know, the Clippers HAVE to get rid of Tim Thomas. That guy is, for the Clippers, Kwame Brown and Smush Parker rolled up into one.
He's a true cancer.
[By the way, I view Kwame Brown only as a cancer when he is expected to play a starting roll on the Lakers. I, personally, think he'd be a fine third string center/power forward.]
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 01, 2008 at 02:38 PM
A LITTLE LESSON IN NBA ECONOMICS…
“Jerry Buss called Mitch and quipped:
‘Who is this LakerTom talking about our money?’” – Edwin Gueco
My answer to Edwin and other bloggers who are concerned about the Lakers payroll being too high and luxury taxes being too great is to stop worrying needlessly about Jerry Buss’ money. He has shown that he can take pretty good care of himself financially. He knows that the luxury tax is just a necessary expense to win in the NBA today.
A recent article from Forbes on NBA franchise clearly shows that the Lakers have a huge financial advantage over most of the rest of the NBA because the franchise generates more gross revenue and net income and is subsequently worth more as a salable business than any NBA franchise except for the New York Knicks. This means the Lakers have the money to pay the luxury tax and still make more money than other teams.
The numbers from Forbes tell the entire story. Based on figures from the 2006/7 year, the Lakers are the second most valuable NBA franchise at $560M – that’s right, more than one half a billion dollars – right behind the New York Knicks at $608M and almost twice as valuable as the Clippers at $294M. The Lakers $560M value was a net $50M increase over their $510M value in 2005. Remember this is before this past season.
Winning by the way obviously has great impact on the franchise value of everybody but the Knicks, who just happen to have the biggest market and their own television network. The #3 and #4 franchises after the Knicks and Lakers? The Chicago Bulls, winner of 6 championships, at $500M and the Detroit Pistons at $477M. As for the Boston Celtics? After 20 years of futility, the fabled Celtics franchise is today worth just $391M – or 70% of the value of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise and $100M less than the top teams.
It’s not just the appreciation of the franchise that is involved, however, as it is also the revenue generated by tickets and merchandising. For 2006/7, the Lakers grossed $170M, again second in the NBA to the Knicks $196M. That revenue gave the Lakers an income after salaries of $31.8M for the year, which was the 4th best in the NBA. Again, these figures were for 2006/7 and should improve again for 2007/8.
Jerry Buss and the Lakers front office obviously know what they are doing business-wise. Expect the Lakers franchise value, gross revenue, and net income to rise dramatically this year due to their winning the west and competing in the NBA Finals. There should be no doubt that the Lakers can pay more salaries and luxury tax than any team other than the New York Knicks and still end up with more money in the end.
NBA Team Valuations:
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/32/biz_07nba_NBA-Team-Valuations_Rank.html
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 01, 2008 at 02:52 PM
LA Times is reporting Clippers are close to signing BD.
Deal probably to be closed on Wednesday.
Interesting...........
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | July 01, 2008 at 02:56 PM