<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It was close, down to the final minute. Wednesday's game against Dallas? Not quite. But rookie Lakers guard Jordan Farmar almost played more minutes than starter Smush Parker, a trend that continues to take place in the team's backcourt. Parker played 24 minutes against Dallas, Farmar played 23 and they each scored 12 points. If he hadn't already, Coach Phil Jackson has dispelled the notion he doesn't like using rookies, with Farmar scoring 10 points in the first half of a road game against a playoff-tested team. Farmar and Kobe Bryant were the Lakers' only dependable scoring options at the time. Parker, 25 and in the last year of his contract, continues to be the starter and has hit double-figure scoring the last four games, although his playing time is down more than four minutes per game from his average last season of almost 34 minutes. "He knew this, obviously, from what happened last year in the playoffs, and our first-round draft pick, that Jordan was going to be a player that was going to have an opportunity," Jackson said recently. Parker's struggles against Phoenix last spring in the first round were notable after a regular season in which he established career highs across the board. He made only four of 26 three-point attempts (15.4%) in the playoffs, and his turnovers outnumbered his assists, 12-11. Seven weeks after their playoffs ended, the Lakers drafted Farmar with the 26th pick. "At first I was concerned that Smush wouldn't be able to come back and play with the same" intensity, Jackson said. "He showed us [recently] that he's improved his play." Farmar, 20, is in the first year of a contract that could keep him with the team through 2009-2010, at which point he would become a restricted free agent.</div> Source I am down for this move!
This would be a great move, I like smush but if this means more wins then let it happen. Hopefully Smush will try harder and improve his game in attempt to get his starting job back that's if he does lose it. I'm not overly concerned with Lakers PG because when you have passers and ball handlers like Kobe, Odom and Walton there's no need to worry. Especially after watching LA v Houston the other night, ignoring their collapse in the fourth there was some amazing passing which is what basketball is all about, team play.
I hope Phil put Farmar in the starting lineup today vs Rockets. I have some numbers for you: Field Goal Porcen. Parker .429% Farmar .495% Free Throw Porcen. Parker .623% Farmar .636% Three Point Porcen. Parker .324% Farmar .353% Points Per 48 Minutes: Parker 16,1 Farmar 17,0 Rebound Per 48 Minutes Parker Off: 0,8 Def: 2,7 Total: 3,5 Farmar Off: 0,7 Def: 3,9 Total: 4,6 Assist Per 48 Minutes Parker 4,2 Farmar 6,2 Turnovers Per 48 Minutes Parker 3,1 Farmar 3,1 Fouls Per 48 Minutes Parker 4,0 Farmar 3,1 What are you waiting Phill?
Wow...even though your comparison is not 100% accurate. I still feel that Faramar plays better defense than Smush and that alone should be an advantage to have him as our starting pg. Yet, his disadvantage is that he is a rookie.
I'd say his defense is not that much better. He gets some steals by intercepting passes and such, but Smush also gets steals. Smush is sometimes a good defender, sometimes lousy, but Farmar is mediocre to bad. Furthermore, I think Farmar takes too many ill-adviced shots, and he holds on to the ball for too long. With Smush, it's usually directly either a drive, pass or shot, which at least keeps the offense moving.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Is Farmar a better defender than Smush?</div> Hard to judge, but I'd argue Farmar is the more consistent defender. Farmar has some great instincts at jumping the passing lanes and anticipating post-entry passes. Smush has some quick hands and uses his winspan effectively. Smush has the better physical tools to defend, but doesn't exhibit the consistent energy to slow down opposing guards. I'd give Farmar the edge as the better team defender as well. Farmar is undoubtedly the better offensive player.
What I don't understand is why the Lakers don't use Smush Parker more effectively? Why is he always sitting out around the perimeter? Make some plays for him cutting to the basket, he is VERY effect that way. Behind Kobe and Lamar, Smush is 3rd best driving to the basket.
I dont know if Farmar is better defending than Smush, because, here in Chile, only once a month ESPN shows a Lakers Match. I have to follow Lakers by HTML on NBA page, thing that its boring but its the only way I have. I only have statistics to compare Smush and Jordan, and in numbers, Farmar plays better than Parker.
<div class="quote_poster">illmatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What I don't understand is why the Lakers don't use Smush Parker more effectively?</div> It has nothing to do with the Lakers using Smush effectively. Its smush taking an active role with the team. He slacks off too damn much. You can see it. Many times his head is not in the game. He shoots FT's like a center too. I can't stand it.
<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It has nothing to do with the Lakers using Smush effectively. Its smush taking an active role with the team. He slacks off too damn much. You can see it. Many times his head is not in the game. He shoots FT's like a center too. I can't stand it.</div> Well as pablitocesar pointed out, they are near identical in that category. Hell they are practically the same with everything when it comes out statistically.
I guess Smush read this article before the Rockets game, haha Way to go Smush, I knew you had it in you. Now that we've seen what you're capable of, let's see some consistency!
<div class="quote_poster">illmatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I guess Smush read this article before the Rockets game, haha Way to go Smush, I knew you had it in you. Now that we've seen what you're capable of, let's see some consistency!</div> Haha seriously. Maybe someone posted it in his locker at halftime. He was a completely different player in the 2nd half and a major reason we won last night. Maybe his a personal vendetta against Rafer Alston from their AND 1 days. Those two were going at it last night. Hopefully this game motivates Smush to play with the same energy the rest of the season. Otherwise the LA writers need to whip out another Farmar piece.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Haha seriously. Maybe someone posted it in his locker at halftime. He was a completely different player in the 2nd half and a major reason we won last night. Maybe his a personal vendetta against Rafer Alston from their AND 1 days. Those two were going at it last night. Hopefully this game motivates Smush to play with the same energy the rest of the season. Otherwise the LA writers need to whip out another Farmar piece. </div> Yeah bro, I think Smush caught us all of guard. My face during 2nd half: I hope it wasn't just become it was against Rafer Alston and he wanted to prove something. If he can bring it like that every night, I think we'll see Jordan keepin the bench a lil warmer than expected. Smush's shooting has gotten a lot better too I think. All in all, I'm happy, just hope this wasn't a one time thing to tease us all.
Smush has been playing well lately. If he can keep it up, he deserves to stay as a starter. He's also underrated in clutch periods. How many times has he hit a key 3 pointer?
I agree. Now if Smush can play at the same intensity and fierceness he did last night against the Rockets, I'd keep him as a starter. We'll win many more games with him playin at that level.
Farmar is miles ahead of Smush at this stage if you ask me. Overall, he's a more solid defender, as shape mentioned earlier. He's also some fantastic instincts in the tri. The offense flows so much better and runs much more efficiently when he's on the court. Offensively, he's also shown to be more reliable than Smush. The only thing is, Smush might be coming off his best game of the year the other night against the Rockets. He hit some big shots for us and was actually very good on defense in the 4th quarter and OT. So, while I'd like to see Farmar start, I think we're still going to have to wait. However, if we must, I want more games like Friday night out of Smush.
