Um, What???

Lost One · May 8, 2010

Jordan Farmar is going to be a starting point guard next year in the NBA.

He is certain about it.

He doesn't know what team he'll be playing on, and he isn't sure what city he'll be living in.

But he will be a starter.

"Absolutely. I will be," Farmar said.

Farmar and his Lakers teammates are in Utah tonight for Game 3 of their second round playoff series against the Jazz. A victory gives the Lakers a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

As usual, Farmar will come off the bench tonight as a backup to Derek Fisher, a role he's played since joining the Lakers in 2006 as a first-round pick out of UCLA, and one he is determined to do as diligently as possible to help the Lakers defend their NBA title.

Farmar is playing 13.1 minutes per game through eight playoff games, averaging 5.6 points per game as one of the Lakers primary role players along with Shannon Brown, Lamar Odom and Luke Walton.

Everyone but Odom is averaging below 17 minutes per game.

"We just have to make the most of it and try to be as effective as we can with the minutes we get and just keep a clear mind," Farmar said.

But that doesn't mean he has to like it.

And it certainly doesn't mean he views himself as a long-term bench player.

He aspires for a much bigger role than that, and feels he is more than ready to assume it.

Beginning next year.

"I am going to be a starter next season," he said confidently.

Ideally it will be with the Lakers, but that remains to be seen.

As a fourth-year player, Farmar is in the final year of his rookie contract, and if the Lakers decide in the offseason to extend a qualifying offer to him, they will have the right to match any free-agent contract he receives from another team.

All of those decisions, on both the Lakers' side and Farmar's, will in part be based on a set of other unrelated decisions that still have to be made.

Namely, whether Phil Jackson returns as head coach and continues to run the triangle offense - which doesn't suit Farmar's skill set - and whether Fisher, who is also in the final year of his contract, remains with the team.

As a result, Farmar is preparing for the possibility he'll be playing for New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, or for any other team that needs a starting point guard.

"That's my goal, that's the caliber of player I feel I am and the type of player I am in this league." Farmar said.

It just hasn't happened with the Lakers, and while Farmar accepts his current role, that doesn't mean he likes it or isn't constantly fighting through bouts of frustration while trying to make the most of his minutes on the floor, only to be yanked back to the bench if a play or two doesn't go his way.

The fourth quarter of Game 2 is a good example.

Farmar made a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up by 11 with 9:16 remaining, but two minutes later his shot was blocked on a drive to the basket, and the Jazz followed with a basket to cut the lead to five.

Farmar was out of the game on the next timeout, and he was visibly frustrated.

"Not so much with getting pulled out of the game," Farmar said. "Just with the understanding that that was it, my night was over. Now I have to go back to the bench and watch. That's a tough feeling. It's something I'm still sort of adjusting to."

What makes it even tougher for Farmar is the Lakers don't run any particular sets to get their bench players offensive opportunities. In fact, they really aren't on the floor to score, they're in to play defense, maintain any momentum the starters created or provide energy and a change of pace.

Finding your niche within that narrow scope is extremely difficult, and for a player like Farmar, who was the focal point in high school at Taft of Woodland Hills and one of the main focal points at UCLA, it's something he still hasn't quite mastered.

"It's very uncomfortable," he said. "It's a very uncomfortable feeling."

Make no mistake, Farmar understands his role with the Lakers, the team he grew up rooting for; the club he's won an NBA title with and been with to two straight NBA finals.

But understanding and completely accepting are two different things.

Farmar views himself as more than a good player off the bench, he considers himself worthy of a starting job.

That isn't the case with the Lakers, and it's a mental challenge trying to fit in when his roll is so narrowly defined the opportunities to do what he does best - put the ball in a basket and run an offense - are rarely available.

"The way I play basketball and the way I was taught, it was to let the game come to me, get everybody involved and then pick my own spots," Farmar said. "Not having the opportunity when I go out there every day is very uncomfortable. I have to be more of an energy guy, I have to come in fast and do as much as possible while still letting the game come to me. It's a tough balance."

One he has to accept, for the time being.

"It's understanding you're in it for a bigger goal." Farmar said. "Nobody is looking at their personal stuff, that's not going to come with the way we play basketball here. It's buying into what we do, trying to do that the right way and playing hard."
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http://www.whittierdailynews.com/sports/ci_15042330

In Farmar's mind, he's on the same level as Chris Paul. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised...

NJNetz · May 8, 2010

He talks too much. Even I've noticed it.

Mamba · May 9, 2010

Moo2K4 · May 9, 2010

At least he's confident?

Shapecity · May 10, 2010

He can't even beat out Shannon Brown or Sasha Vujacic consistently in the Laker rotations. He hasn't been able to outplay the worst starting point guard in the league. Who is he trying to kid?

DynastYWarrioR6 · May 10, 2010

He seriously needs to get over himself....

huevonkiller · May 10, 2010

Farm saved us in the Houston series last year. Fisher had a nice game 3 in utah but I want to see what he does from here on. I suspect he reverts back to his normal self which is not a good sight.

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Lost One ...

NJNetz BBW Banned

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Moo2K4 NBA West Producer

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

DynastYWarrioR6 JBB SmurfY

huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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