Jordan’s Last Chance

Monday, September 14, 2009
by Rey-Rey.

From Fox Sports via Associated Press.

"I want to run a team and be the lead guard," Jordan Farmar said Tuesday on the sidelines of a basketball clinic in Singapore. "Hopefully, it can be here (with the Lakers)."

"There's a lot of jobs out there. I feel I have a lot to offer."

Maybe because I tend to ignore a lot of the "Laker faithful" but I had no idea that Jordan Farmar is often criticized by these fans. Yes, I totally understand that he has a swagger that makes people want to punch him in the face (I have no problem with his confidence). And, yes, I totally understand that he had a down year. After a decent start of last season, his offensive output went from 7.9 PPG (before his knee injury in December) to 6.4 PPG (at the end of the year). He was maddeningly inconsistent after he came back from that injury. And people are all telling him to shut the hell up because he said that he wanted to start.

Yeah, I may be giving him a free pass but people seem to like seeing the worst of Jordan Farmar. They're all saying, "Send him to the D-League!" "Shannon Brown is the future!" "He doesn't deserve to be in the NBA!"

It's like Jordan Farmar is suddenly a no-talent hack. Did they forget his production in the previous year? He averaged 9.1 PPG and shot 46 percent on the field. And more often than not, he finished games with Sasha Vujacic at the backcourt. And he's still a young guy (will turn 23 this season) so he's still learning the position a little bit more. Do people remember him when he replaced a suspended Derek Fisher? 12 points and 7 assists. Not bad, right? And I was even calling for Farmar to start when Fisher was having a horrendous postseason.

In fact, with Fisher on the way down, why not GROOM Farmar as the starter by starting him now? Fisher can come off the bench in a John Paxson/Steve Kerr-type of role and he can finish games. This can't hurt Farmar and the team. Plus it'll only build his confidence. Just do this for next season and see what happens.

However, I do agree with the fact that this is Jordan's last chance to prove that he can be a starter for the Lakers. If not, then I believe he can be a starter somewhere else. He just has to get a chance to show his stuff.

And don't be too hard on the kid. I mean, don't people want others to set their goals high? And it's not like his goal is far-fetched. What is he supposed to say? That he wants to be the tenth man of the team? Please. Newsflash: everyone wants to start. SHOW SOME SUPPORT, LOS ANGELES.

Here's what some people had to say about Jordan Farmar.

DJ TYRANT: "As long as he doesn't get too emotional, he's a strong asset to give the starters room to rest while still scoring some."

CASSIE LEI: "I hope he stays with LA. Prove the haters wrong. I think last season really helped put his role on the team in perspective."

JON LEE: "His ears prevent him from changing directions quickly limiting his lateral quickness and thus stay in front of other pgs." (Ha ha. Funny.)

I'll say this much: with Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and even Andrew Bynum on the team, at least there isn't TOO MUCH pressure on him to perform. Hopefully, he has a fabulous 2009-10 season. And, hopefully, his jersey change to #1 helps in that department.

Look for me on Twitter as @TheNoLookPass. Admittedly, it's hard to do an NBA blog post in September... especially with Monday Night Football going on.

Posted in: Los Angeles Lakers.
Tagged: · · · · · · · ·

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  • mork
    He's got a great head on his shoulders and the potential to be, at the very least, a solid starter in much the same way Fish has been; albeit with a much different style of play. He's not the kind of guy to back down from a challenge, from Kobe or anyone. And Jordan isn't the type to pout and run away because it's hard for him in LA, or anywhere else. If Kobe yells at him, I guarantee he listens and responds, but doesn't go home bitter about it wishing to play somewhere else because it's hard. Dude just wants a shot, and he feels like he deserves it.

    Didn't the old Celtics and Lakers dynasties get by holding young players on the bench until they worked themselves into a froth over their minutes, then reap the rewards when the guys were finally let loose?

    And Shannon Brown may be an athletic dude who D's up better, but mentally it's no contest, and this team is going to need a leader on the floor once Fish is gone. There is no one on this roster better suited.
  • Rey-Rey
    I seriously don't know why the "Laker faithful" is angry that Farmar wants to start. I mean, who DOESN'T want to start? He was asked a question and he answered honestly. Again, Jordan Farmar is pretty wild out there but it's not like he's been a total detriment to the team. As for Shannon Brown, dude played over his head last year (it's the best he's ever played in his career) and I wish him well next year, too, but I see more upside in Jordan. Maybe more minutes will do the both of them good with Fisher being 78 years old now.
  • yoohoos
    i don't know about you guys, but seems to me that there's a dysfunctional relationship between kobe and jordan. From what I've seen, kobe gets on jordan's case too often for jordan's liking.
  • Rey-Rey
    Kobe Bryant does that to everybody but Fisher. It's pretty much known that Kobe gets on teammate's cases a lot, not just Jordan.
  • Jordan Farmar = YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Rey-Rey
    Again, I think people forget that his play went downhill after he came back from an injury. I'll give credit to Shannon Brown for playing well down the stretch but I think Farmar is better suited as a starter than Shannon is.

    Jordan's shown that he can be a potent offensive player. He needs to defend better and he'll be fine. Again, both Farmar and Sasha had down years (it's amazing how Sasha's shot has left him) so maybe we'll see a resurgence from both. Jordan gets that resurgence and he'll be penciled in as the starter when Fish retires. If not, then he can try again somewhere else.

    DNP-CD's all day long on Farmar, though? Don't think so. He's too talented to ride the pine.
  • Jams
    Farmar's biggest weakness is weakness. He does not do anything well apart from play out of control, which he excels at. Having him and the Machine in the same backcourt is a gamble, i say trade him for a serviceable power forward or something. With Shannon Brown there, he will be grooving to DNP-CDs all season long.
  • Rey-Rey
    Oh, yeah. Elie Seckbach mentioned himself how active he is in helping the community. Bless his soul.

    I think he'd be a solid starter for any team; if he becomes an all-star, I'd be pleasantly surprised. But people have seen what he can do. Obviously, his biggest weakness is defense. Maybe Ron Artest can teach him a thing or two about D.
  • Reggie Smith > Reggie Jordan

    But seriously, Farmar is a nice player.

    Will he ever be a star? No.

    Will he develop into a solid starter? Quite possibly.

    Hating on him is ridiculous. Plus, he's a solid citizen -- something more teams need.
  • Reggie Jordan>Jordan Farmar
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