Jordan Farmar in Israel
A few updates on Jordan Farmar's trip to Israel, a trek done in participation with the Peres Center for Peace. Just outside Jerusalem, the Lakers point guard has been playing host to a series of basketball clinics providing Israeli and Palestinian kids the chance to sharpen their skills and discuss the mutual problems affecting their often chaotic lives. For Farmar, whose background has exposed him to black, Jewish American and Israeli cultures, melding different worlds is a well-practiced walk of life that speaks to him on a personal level.
Farmar also talks about sports' ability to unite people of different cultures, races and economic backgrounds, an observation with which I absolutely concur. An argument could be made that there's no single greater impetus for bringing close people with- on the pure surface- little to nothing in common. At the very least, an increased awareness, tolerance and even appreciation for cultural differences will emerge. Obviously, it's hardly the "cure-all" to what's often a very complicated, political and emotional issue. But for the most part, the minute you become someone's teammate, the other stuff falls to the wayside, since the desire to win is a very powerful mutual interest. I think society often sets themselves up for trouble (or at the very least, disappointment) when they declare athletes as "role models." But along these particular lines, we could do a lot worse than taking a cue from sports.
In discussing this thread, if we can keep the Israeli-Palestinian analysis to a minimum (and by "minimum," I mean, "let's not go there"), that would be great. Obviously, the subject matter makes the conflict impossible to ignore altogether, but the post's purpose was to give an update on Farmar and perhaps discuss sports' role on a societal level. Moreover, this blog isn't the proper forum for a detailed breakdown of an international/religious/political situation. Thus, better to stay on point.
Thanks.
AK
Anonymous,
"And their coach is an idiot. In an interview he explained how part of this happened because he didn't understand what Brett wanted, that he THOUGHT Brett didn't really want to come back, and then he THOUGHT Brett wouldn't have the proper mind set to sit thru a film session on a Thursday night?
Huh?"
Maybe it's because Favre has been waffling the last 3-4 years. And maybe it's because Favre actually retired this time. And maybe it's because Favre, by his own admission, historically has not been one to pore over film during the prep for the next game. And maybe it's because they know that Favre is near the end of his career, that a repeat of two seasons ago is as likely as a repeat of last season. And maybe it's because they know that they are not a Super Bowl team with Favre, and he will be gone in a year or two anyway. And maybe it's because they need to see sooner rather than later if Aaron Rodgers is a QB who is capable of helping a team get to the Super Bowl. And maybe it's because they know that it's better to let someone go a year early than a year late.
Nah - it must be because they are stupid.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 07, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Paul Pierce is a tool.
'Nuff said.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 07, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Airlock,
Nice to see you contribute to the blog. It would be good to see more of you.
Airlock, Let's Go C's! is a Troll. He really doesn't care about the Celtics or the Lakers. He's just an emotionally retarded loser who needs attention and is so powerless in his personal life that he feels a sense of personal empowerment by annoying/offending other people with impunity.
He finds our passion towards the Lakers to be silly and through the inverted lense of an extreme inferiority complex he wants to prove to himself that he's better than us by poking fun at our passion.
Since I can't reach through his computer screen and strangle him (which would be the kindest thing anyone could do to him), we just have to accept him for who he is (an emotionally retarded loser), not try to change him or reason with him, and most importantly IGNORE HIM.
Starve the Troll.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 07, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Benjamin,
I'm sure Farmar is as aware as anyone regarding the gravity of the situation and under no illusions (which is why he is devoting his time and energy to it presumably) His interest draws attention to it if nothing else.
The NBA cares program is very hypocrytical in all sorts of ways and you laud it while at the same time Farmar can accomplish nothing by acting on these values.
As long as individuals do what is right and what is good even if it is a drop in the ocean - it makes a difference.Even if it's merely drawing it to the attention of younger generation californians and helping them to realise what you already know.
Posted by: Kiwi | August 07, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Lets go C's
It doesn't surprise me that you are obsessed with Kobe being able to get off at any time.It's called jealousy becasue you are unable to get off the blog,Your obsessional pet topics ,or your medication...
and it was the mailman who allegedly hit on the mambas wife... but once again failed to deliver in the clutch.Maybe if his wingman stockton had been there things would have been different. (he might have suggested to ditch the cowboy hat and it might all have been different who knows?)
If it had been shaq (another fantastic piece of credibility inducing research on your part) it would have been some serious revenge for the Colorado debacle from Mrs hottie Bryants side of things but wait...kobe's kinda like THE man so she stuck around wheras Im guessing yours left when you left the lid off the vasoline jar once too many times
Is that your problem with Kobe? is it that he goes home to a hot wife while all you have is lakers blog while you wait for your videos to download?
Anyway I see the improvement in your social interaction lets go C's - keep working on your people skills and you too might have a real live girlfriend one day.Ive heard they can be a bit rough over Boston way so she's unlikely to be in Mrs Bryants league (or have teeth for that matter) but she may add something to your life and you will no longer have this dependency on negative attention.Otherwise we'll just have to suck it up and wait until a year or so down the track when the celtics are no longer contenders and the lakers are hitting their peak with this group.I guess you'll move on then.
and you have a distaste drama? once again you are the hypocrate my lepracaun loving friend...why try to stir up people in a blog you dont even support if you have a dislikefor drama?
Nice talking to you Lets go C's.If you want to discuss anything I'll send you my email.Sometimes its just good to talk.
Take care now
Posted by: Kiwi | August 07, 2008 at 09:00 AM
By the way with all this talk about opening schedules
Why not have the first game of the NBA season as a rematch of the two finalists?
A rematch that takes place on the turf of the winner so the beaten finalist has to watch the ring ceremony.
Then we watch an emotionally charged game full of hatred....
THAT would be the way to kick off the season!!!!!!
Posted by: Kiwi | August 07, 2008 at 09:04 AM
"...I feel like he's hopelessly naive. Helpful, hopeful and positive, but still naive."-Benjamin on Jordan Farmar
I don't feel that way at all about Jordan Farmar. I'm sure Farmar knows how deep things are over there. Just because he's over there as an ambassador and role model doesn't mean he's trying to be the beacon of change over there.
Sure, he'd probably like to be given credit for it if the violence miraculously stopped because of Jordan Farmer's philanthropy. But he knows. He's a UCLA guy, even if only for 2 years.
I don't find it naive at all for Jordan Farmar to go to Isreal to teach basketball at a basketball camp for Isrealis and Palestinians.
Naive is when you make an issue and then make jokes about inflating tires when every automobile expert in the world say it saves gas. Now that's naive. Either that, or it's just simply taking pride in ignorance.
Posted by: Rocky | August 07, 2008 at 09:05 AM
------Sorry for posting this here guys, but I had to respond to this....this...whatever IT is------------
Can someone tell me why Mr. I Can Get Off At Anytime is averagin 13 points per game averaging the lowest FG% for Team USA? Can someone say forcing shots?
That is why you all lost in the Finals. Mr. I can get off at anytime is trying to "get off" too much.
Simple as 1, 2, 3.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 06, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Man, I've been quiet for a while...hmm, where do I start. Its called taking a role and being comfortable with it. Let Kobe average 13 points a game, he is pretty much the heart and soul of that US Team defensively. You name one person who has played better D on that team, Kobe makes at least 4 highlight passes per game on offense too. AT least he's averaging something on a team representing this country while your boy Paul Pierce averages one gang sign per game. (You better not say anything remotely smack about the US Team) Then you talk about class....You called what Paul Pierce did talking about he's the best player on the planet class?
That was a spit in the face of KG, Ray Allen, James Posey, and PJ Brown who really won the Championship for Boston...take anyone of those players off that team and it would have been a loss. For years Paul Pierce ran around with scrubs in the Eastern Conference and couldn't even lead them to the playoffs, for years Kobe led a bunch of scrubs to the playoffs two years in a row in the Western Conference.
Lets go Cs, really? I'm talking now and you do not want to get it started with me. They won once and I'll tell you why they won, its not because they are better than the Lakers, its because the Lakers weren't as aggressive. You wanna glorify a team that almost got eliminated by the Hawks and Lebron James (Not the CAVS, Lebron James) and thanks to some messed up officiating and Rasheed acting up...fine do that. The way I see it, not to make excuses, is that it took three All Stars to beat the Lakers...reminds me of playing pick up ball and the good guys on the loosing teams cry and pout until they form a team of thier own in order to win, you know, kinda like toggling with the difficulty levels on NBA live to run the tables. BTW if you think Kobe hasn't been listening think again...Pierce and Shaq they opened thier mouths and that is exactly what Kobe needed, we've seen it time and time again.
Posted by: Rhon | August 07, 2008 at 09:24 AM
I can't wait till Christmas when the Lakers with Bynum SPANK the Boston Celtic's
Merry Christmas one and all !!!!
Posted by: tomK | August 07, 2008 at 09:35 AM
What's the point you are trying to make, Let's go Celtics?
Speak to me, I am here for you.
Posted by: The Psychologist | August 07, 2008 at 09:45 AM
I'm with the K Bros. on the whole "Starve The Troll" thing. It's out of hand. And...it's hypocrisy on all of our parts. Every "Starve The Troll" rant is loaded with backhanded insults at the trolls we're trying to starve in the first place. That's like handing a plate full of raw meat to a tiger.
The K Bros are right. It's all smack talk. No matter how witty our responses and how clever our retorts, the facts remain the same. We lost the 2007-08 NBA Championship to the Boston Celtics. LGC's isn't going to relent from reminding us of that fact from now till next June when the next NBA Champion is crowned. So suck it up, Laker Nation. It is what it is.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. The only way to truly STARVE THE TROLL is to WIN THE 2008-09 NBA Championship - preferably against Boston, but we'll take whomever we can get. Until that happens, the trolls will keep on coming. Period.
Get mad at me if you want, Jon K. Just speaking the truth in love, bro.
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 07, 2008 at 09:53 AM
At small forward,
out of the Univerity of Kansas.
Let's give it up for #34, Paul "Staaaaaaarbury" Pieeeerce
lol PP= psycho,
nuff said.
Posted by: Outsidergua | August 07, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Rocky,
You're missing some subtlety by quoting me out of context. I said if Jordan believes blank, then he's hopelessly naive. I don't know what he believes exactly so I feel it would be presumptuous on my part to make certain judgments about him.
Kiwi,
It should be pretty obvious that even if I like NBA Cares in principle I obviously see a weakness in one of its programs in particular.
Posted by: Benjamin | August 07, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Why is there this impression that the Finals were so lopsided in favor of the Celtics? Is it the fact that in the final game the Lakers just mailed it in and didn't show up? Other than that look at the scores - the games were close. The Lakers blew a huge lead and lost; the Celtics blew a huge lead and hung on to win the game. The first game, without some dubious officiating clearly favoring the Celts the Lakers nearly stole the game despite playing like crap.
Game 1: 98-88 Celts Game 2: 108-102 Celts Game 3: Lakers 87-81Game 4: Celts 97-91 Choke city by Lakers! Game 5: Lakers 103-98 then Game 6 Celts stomp Lakers. Hmmm not exactly blowout city in favor of the Celts in the first five games. An 8 point margin of victory for the Celtics save the final game thrashing is not exactly stuff of legend. The big lead the Lakers blew and the final game give the impression that it was lopsided.
The Celtics deserved to win, I think they are a slightly better team than what the Lakers had on the floor. With Bynum and Ariza being healthy I think some of those close games would have likely tipped in favor of our squad. But that wasn't the case and the Celtics with KG, Pierce and Allen - Posey too, - along with Cassel and PJ Brown played better. Sadly the Lakers had too many players that are not that mentally strong (physically as well) so it shouldn't have been a shock that the Lakers didn't win, despite the nice play of the Lakers earlier in the playoffs. Lamar folds like a cheap chair in pressure situations - Pau really didn't play that bad but he certainly didn't play like he had earlier in the season. So if Bynum comes back playing like he was, Ariza comes back to the level he was at pre-injury the squad will be better next year. Throw in that Sasha, Farmar, Bynum and Ariza are all young and should improve should have Lakers fans optimistic. Then if Mihm and Luke can improve health wise they could possibly contribute to the overall game.
I think the other thing is that the Lakers will revamp their now that the personnel are different from the start of last year. Maybe new defensive schemes will help one of the Lakers big weaknesses. Say what you will but they were only outstanding on defense part of the time. I am sure they will also tweak the offense to take advantage of Pau and Bynum in particular.
Peace,
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | August 07, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Ex,
Of course Packers management and coaches are dumb. Didn't you know that random fans on message boards with no coaching or playing experience are smarter than NFL and NBA coaches with several years of coaching experience?
I mean, you did read the Jackson Journal, right?
Posted by: Xodus | August 07, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Rhon
'reminds me of playing pick up ball and the good guys on the loosing teams cry and pout until they form a team of thier own in order to win, you know, kinda like toggling with the difficulty levels on NBA live to run the tables'
This was a great call Well done !
Posted by: Kiwi | August 07, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Eagleboy,
Hum?
Biggest comback in NBA Finals history (Game 4)
Biggest blowout in a closeout game in NBA history (Game 6)
Starlet going 1 on 5 the whole time. Doesn't that remind you of the 2004 finals?
Cheers, mate!
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 07, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Mr. Utz is a man among boys here on this blog. You Fakers should look at Mr. Utz as an example of how to take it like a man.
I have to give credit where credit is due. Well done!
Yoos gots to put up or shut up in sports.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 07, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Xodus,
"I mean, you did read the Jackson Journal, right?"
I printed out copies and put them in document protectors. Gave one to my son for Christmas. He was very appreciative.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 07, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Eagleboy,
Absolutely agree with your comments on the finals. The Lakers were within a few points of a sweep. Which is why this team doesn't need major adjustments to be one of the favorites in 2008-9.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | August 07, 2008 at 10:43 AM
utzworld, Jon. K
Good luck trying to convince everyone.
Only a few of you are strong enough to ignore this Laker fan playing this sick little game posting as lgc.
If a tree falls in a forest but...
Posted by: Fire32 | August 07, 2008 at 10:53 AM
"Yoos gots to put up or shut up in sports"
And I suppose you are "putting up" by not having a normal discussion on basketball with ANYONE but yourself?
Yoos gots no huevos!
Posted by: PPIG | August 07, 2008 at 11:07 AM
LGC's,
Game 6 I said was choke city, they mailed it in, didn't show up. So I think we agree on that point. Both teams had trouble holding the big lead. So, advantage Celtics for actually winning while the Lakers only came close. While it is an advantage that the Celtics won, the Celtics didn't dominate other than the final game. Look at the scores, watch the games. The officials handed the Celtics a game that could have changed the finals. Luck of the draw - officials are inconsistent and all teams have to deal with it. It was 4 games to 2 correct? One game the officials played a big part in the Celtics victory - that could have forced the series to seven games. If the Celtics had swept I would agree it was a blowout. If it had been 4 to 1 - blowout at 4-2 not a blow out series, especially when you consider how close all the games were except for game six. If you can't understand that point of view then that is your problem. I am not saying the Lakers should have won the series, I am simply saying the facts as I see it don't show it is a being a Celtic blowout overall as a series. Game 6 sure - other than that no. Big lead collapse sure but the Celtics had a near collapse of their own which a dominant team wouldn't have allowed to happen - especially not to the marshmallow challenged Lakers!
Peace
Eagleboy
Posted by: Eagleboy | August 07, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Do you mean the Celtics sweeping the Lakers?
I certainly hope so, otherwise yoos are sorely delousional.
hahahhaah
Sweep my buttox.
Pathtic.
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 07, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Refs gave the victory to the C's?
I thought Donagy wasn't reffing anymore.
OMG, unbelievable. Yoos Fakers (besides Mr. Utz) make soooo many excuses.
Look, win next season, then LGC will apologise.
Lose and LGC will accept apologises from yoos.
Deal?
Posted by: Let's go C's! | August 07, 2008 at 11:19 AM
ex,
Yep, that's exactly one of the things I had in mind.
Jon K.,
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is special. Of all political issue, I've encountered it's easily the most contentious. Think Mike T's crazed obsession with Kwame Brown X 100 on both sides and you get an idea of the madness we'd be dealing with if they allowed discussion of the issue.
I assume the K bros are of Jewish descent so they know what happens when this issue gets "discussed."
It's a maddening free for all every time. Trust me, you don't want that here. It would be worse than anything you've seen thus far.
Posted by: Benjamin | August 07, 2008 at 11:25 AM
LOL,
You guys have allowed Let'sGoCeltics to take over this Laker blog.
Every other post is dedicated to "starving the troll" or to LGC directly. Come on guys!
Posted by: Lakafo0 | August 07, 2008 at 11:28 AM
For all that want Team USA Olympic Basketball schedule here you go.
http://tinyurl.com/56d5gp ----- Link to L.A.Times Olympic blog with schedule
Posted by: The Infamous El Guapo | August 07, 2008 at 11:41 AM
AK/BK, fair enough.
Benjamin,
I apologize if I took your post out of context. I just don't think it's right to imply that Jordan Farmar might be naive. I probably would have liked it more if you had implied that Farmar might be noble.
Posted by: Rocky | August 07, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Rhon, totally agree with you. PP is an over-rated wind-bag.
But this a J-Farm thread. Let's talk Bruins.
How de we feel blog...Is Jordan Farmar the PG of the future for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Last year I would have said, very probably, barring mega injury or huge contract dispute. But last year I think we saw that Jordan has a pretty rough time on defence. He cannot guard a guy going around a screen of any type to save his life. He strayed from his early season success and started shooting 3 pointers within the first 6 seconds of the shot clock, ignoring a wide open Machine (I also notice the strain between the two, but that's natural-they're competitors for the 4th quarter playing time), and I don't think he's a very good passer.
He has a hard time with alley-oops (not a terrible detriment, but for a PG, should be a skill in the arsenal), needs to work on his skip pass (something Luke, Lamar, Pau and Kobe can do). He makes poor entry passes and his recognition suffered after he lost confidence in his shot.
He also was pretty ineffective in the Playoffs/ Finals. Now, I realize he's a second year guy, coming up on his third, but we need him coming into the game ready to take it to the defense. I'm not sure if Phil pulled the plug on the quick scoring offense that they ran early last year, but they strayed from it as the season progressed and I think it revealed how limited in the triangle that Jordan actually is. He's about as good a jump shooter as Luke (at this stage of his career, maybe he'll get better), he'll never be a rebounding guard 9a la Q Ross), so I think he may always be a back up.
I think he might be the Laker most on the bubble as far as moving up in the rotation. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kobe, Ariza and Sasha getting more of his minutes and bringing the ball up court (as the triangle doesn't need a guy with mad handles, just a body to get the rock across mid court) because they are MUCH better defensively.
I love Farmar because A: He eats at Good Burger in Santa Monica (mmmmm, good burger), B: He's a local boy done good, C: He's the littlest Laker and there's something darn cute about writing that. But I don't see him as the PG of the future, especially as long as Phil is coach.
Thoughts?
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | August 07, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Personally, I like Trolls.
they keep the goblins and orcs away.
stay away, orcs and goblins!!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | August 07, 2008 at 11:50 AM
There's an unintended empowerment thing that happens when discussing certain posters.... the level of discourse ABOUT them begins to take over. These posters find themselves validated by the number of responses generated - like the disruptive kid in the classroom who takes time and energy away from others.
I know how tempting it is to respond. But honestly, it's just feeding the flames. This blog is so great... it's something I truly look forward to reading. I'd humbly and sincerely suggest trying a moratorium of sorts... even if just for a few days. Scroll past the gibberish. Respond to something else, say hello to a blogger friend.
I realize that by writing this, I'm violating my own suggestion... I'm taking time and space to comment on that which I advocate ignoring. My apologies for that - my intentions are good. I'm a fan of the Lakers, a fan of basketball and a fan of this blog.
Posted by: dave m | August 07, 2008 at 12:06 PM
"You're a dirty pirate hooker. [...] Why don't you go back to your home on Whore Island?"
What movie was that line from? No cheating!
Posted by: Charles | August 07, 2008 at 12:19 PM
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER,
So, does it feel good that one of your biggest fans is Let's Go C's?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 07, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Benjamin,
One of my degrees is in the Study of Religion, so, yeah, I know how deep the rabbit hole goes.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 07, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Charles...Anchorman - a classic
Benjamin.I love it when you address me as if i'm incapabale of understanding your profound logic when its you actually missing my points.
You 'disagree' with the program?
So this is such a black hole that no time or resopurces should go into it?
Enlighten me ...please! I really dont understand
Posted by: Kiwi | August 07, 2008 at 12:41 PM
J Sweet,
Where is Good Burger? I live in SM and never heard of it.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | August 07, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Jon K: What IS your problem? Has losing the Finals driven you into some sort of mad depression or something? You're picking unnecesary fights with your own Laker Nation family and babbling "Starve The Troll" like some drunken dude in a bar - even after the K-Bros asked us to shut it down.
And you say I'M THE ONE who's lost his way? Look in the mirror, bro. You are a shadow of your former self, dude.
Take a nap, dude and don't wake up till 10/28. Seriously.
Posted by: utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER | August 07, 2008 at 01:15 PM
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER,
Dude, screw you! What the hell is you problem?
We can do the civil thing and Starve the Troll or we can continue to insult a scumbag who enjoys being insulted.
Personally, I'm as tired of people responding to the Troll as I am quickly scanning past the Troll's vomit that's been splattered throughout this blog.
I say, "Stave the Troll" and that's my position. If you disagree, fine, but don't fricken pick a fight with me!
You keep spouting this nonsense of "Nothing Gets Rid Of Trolls Like Winning The Championship!" Sure. That's right, but we shouldn't do anything until fricken June of 2009?
Because that's when we win the Championship.
That's approximately 300 days of having a major component of this blog be childish banter back and forth between some kid in a basement somewhere and dozens of otherwise sane bloggers.
So, if I suggest we as a group try and do something about it (because the Kamenetsky Brothers aren't going to do anything about it) and I use the playful term, "Starve The Troll" to suggest that we ignore him, where's the problem with that?
I just don't get it. I have no idea why you've started being a jerk.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | August 07, 2008 at 05:10 PM