Jordan Farmar wants to be a starter

[CowsMoo]

Am I the only one who read his comments in a different way? I don't really see a big problem with what he said. I guess it's normal a bit for him in his contract year, and I don't think it was that offensive to the team sense. He needs to look out for himself. In terms of his playing time, it doesn't seem that he was too critical. Maybe it's just me.

I don't think his attitude is that big of a problem, I just see it as part of his personality. I think he works fairly hard, and is motivated to be really good. I think his want for money is normal as long as he plays to deserve it. I also have faith in his skills, and I don't see him as much of a whiner. Sasha is a pretty big whiner. I also like Farmar's passion and fire. I think he can become a pretty good starter for any team, but I also think the triangle offense might limit what he would prefer to do, which is be a ball handler and be aggressive by ball dominating. To me that doesn't meant he's a selfish player or he sucks, I just think he might to better in a different system. I like him because he's an LA guy, and he has that arrogance and swagger that can go well with his raw skills and potential (assuming he achieves them). I think we all know his potential, but he isn't much of a triangle guy. Phil knows what he is doing as well. It's just kind of hard to see Farmar as a triangle guy.

However, if he doesn't thrive well in the first half of the season, I think he might be moved during the trade deadline. I think it would be heartbreaking in terms of chemistry on the team, and it would suck to see a LA guy go (like Ariza), but it could possibly be a good way to get better talent.

I don't take that much offense to his comments...

[Erik Eleven]

Wow, he sounds like a douchebag. Get rid of his whining ass.

Yeah. I was hoping he would humble up as he grew up, but I guess not... Weak sauce. I bet you he'll work his arse off to back it up, though. He'll be a gr... decent lead, on another team. Still very good insurance to have.

[DubaLakers]

"Just based on his comments about Kobe and his refusal to pass to him previously" DD

DD, please elaborate, I'm not sure of what comments actions you are exactly refering to.

[crazyeights]

The whole "he doesn't pass to Kobe thing" is weak, IMO. I heard a number of Laker fans (on this board included) laud Ariza because of the fact he "wasn't afraid to NOT pass to Kobe."

IMO Farmar is one of these players. He has the balls to not just toss it to #24 (even if he wants it) and let him do all the work. Farmar wants more from himself as a player and there's nothing wrong with that.

Now it's literally time for him to put his money where his mouth is.

[Kilroy]

Yeah, there are lots of times when Farmar absolutely shouldn't pass the ball to Kobe even though Kobe's calling for it...

That's not my problem with Farmar...
He's lazy on D, his shot doesn't fall, and he doesn't get the Triangle flowing... His main asset is as a runner off the bench... If he doesn't like that role, then he's useless to us....

[TonyMontana]

He has the balls to not just toss it to #24 (even if he wants it) and let him do all the work. Farmar wants more from himself as a player and there's nothing wrong with that.

Brah, he has balls not to pass it to Kobe??? Your kidding me right?
In this clip, wtf is guarding Kobe,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRTVOlT1 ... re=related
NOBODY. Him not passing the ball to Kobe doesnt prove his manhood or how brave he is, its proves his stupidity. IMO as I see it............. Kobe standing there WIDE OPEN for at least a few seconds with the closest defender at least 5 feet away from him. Thats not having balls thats called being stupid for whatever reason that he is denying Kobe the ball. Its not like he has doubts about Kobe's shot like Sasha or Fish........ITS KOBE. And yet your justifying his stupidity by saying he's got balls. Haaaaaaaaaaa?

Denying the ball to the team captain and the best player on the court isnt going to do you well with him and the coach who favors that player a million times over you. Also it isnt going to do you well when you want to add more P.T, specially on a contender and your contract season.

[Dexmor]

I want Farmar starting which should hold alot of weight with Phil Jackson. I will call him and talk to him about Farmar and with Farmar wanting to start it should happen. O.K. im kidding about the knowing Phil but I really think Farmar should start.

[Danny Darko]

"Just based on his comments about Kobe and his refusal to pass to him previously" DD

DD, please elaborate, I'm not sure of what comments actions you are exactly refering to.

"It's hard. He's the best," Farmar said when asked about playing with Bryant. "He demands a lot of attention. He demands the ball a lot of the time."

"It's tough for any young player to come into a really good team and try to find their niche.


Ok demands attention is a compliment if you are defender and an insult if you are his teammate in this context. He's taking a shot at Kobe.

Regarding the actions- there was a video in this thread that showed him not passing to Kobe, but that was just one of many. The one that sticks out in my mind was a fast break where Jordan looks at Kobe and denies him a dunk only to blow a selfish layup. Kobe gave him an earful and Jordan just looks at him like FU Kobe. Teammate fail.

Confidence is a good thing, it makes Jordan a very good last second finisher, but I think he'll become a cancer and I don't think he passes well for a guard at all.

[what would jack bauer do?]

Farmar was pretty horrible last year, but I still think he can be a starter in this league. I think his stats would benefit from being a starter even if his minutes only slightly increased. Farmar's game and attitude don't really fit what we need here though, it'd be nice to have him "earn" the starting spot over Dfish and then trade him while his value is high.

But honestly I wouldn't mind keeping Farmar on the roster only playing spot minutes because he's our best player to defend the smaller point guards. That just doesn't seem fair to the guy though. At least he only has a year on his contract.

[what would jack bauer do?]

Confidence is a good thing, it makes Jordan a very good last second finisher, but I think he'll become a cancer and I don't think he passes well for a guard at all.

I agree with the passing thing. Farmar is a pretty poor passer at times. He has the vision but he doesn't execute all that well. At least he's not as bad at pg as Westbrook, that guy has no vision and he can't execute.

[microfib4thewin]

"Just based on his comments about Kobe and his refusal to pass to him previously" DD

DD, please elaborate, I'm not sure of what comments actions you are exactly refering to.

"It's hard. He's the best," Farmar said when asked about playing with Bryant. "He demands a lot of attention. He demands the ball a lot of the time."

But the thing is, Kobe does demand the ball all the time. How often does he play off the ball? Maybe when Gasol is holding it.

When Shaq was supposed to be the main piece of the offense and Kobe was complaining about it, did anyone of you say Kobe should shut up and accept the complimentary role? Young Kobe was a great player but was extremely inefficient, and he didn't have the maturity to lead the offense until two years ago. No, I am not saying Farmar will become as good as the young Kobe, but the situation is the same. In both cases said player has an ego and felt they should be able to handle a bigger job for the team even though they haven't shown the ability to do so. Farmar does need to improve, but at the same time that's his personality. He wants to play a bigger role, and I think he's capable of doing that, just not with this team. Don't make it out as if he's demanding to shoot 20 times a game, as a traditional PG he should be given a chance to run the offense, and with Kobe around he never had that much opportunity to do so.

[doozyj]

Farmar is subpar IMO. To be honest we should have kept Critteton. Farmar needs to be on a run and gun type team and fits horribly in the triangle. His defense is weak and can't read the floor well enough to be a Laker starting PG. I think Shannon will have a tremendous break out year and will get more minutes, while Fisher will start to save his stamina for in times we need clutch plays late in the game and for the playoffs. (ala Brian Shaw). Hopefully Mitch can shop Farmar some more.

[Mamba Venom]

Not a good soldier... theres no reason to push it w/ Fish turning 36. Let it come and stay happy as a role player on a championship.

I'm not liking what Farmar said... somewhere else, don't make the same mistake Ariza did

Its better to be part of something great as a role player than to be a starter for a losing team

[doozyj]

"Just based on his comments about Kobe and his refusal to pass to him previously" DD

DD, please elaborate, I'm not sure of what comments actions you are exactly refering to.

"It's hard. He's the best," Farmar said when asked about playing with Bryant. "He demands a lot of attention. He demands the ball a lot of the time."

But the thing is, Kobe does demand the ball all the time. How often does he play off the ball? Maybe when Gasol is holding it.

When Shaq was supposed to be the main piece of the offense and Kobe was complaining about it, did anyone of you say Kobe should shut up and accept the complimentary role? Young Kobe was a great player but was extremely inefficient, and he didn't have the maturity to lead the offense until two years ago. No, I am not saying Farmar will become as good as the young Kobe, but the situation is the same. In both cases said player has an ego and felt they should be able to handle a bigger job for the team even though they haven't shown the ability to do so. Farmar does need to improve, but at the same time that's his personality. He wants to play a bigger role, and I think he's capable of doing that, just not with this team. Don't make it out as if he's demanding to shoot 20 times a game, as a traditional PG he should be given a chance to run the offense, and with Kobe around he never had that much opportunity to do so.

Please don't compare Kobe to Farmar in any form or fashion, not now, not ever. Please.

[Joe Kleazy]

This kid has had PLENTY of time to show his stuff and EARN a better role whether is was in game or practice. Obvioulsy he did not do that se his role is what it is. I understand that he is not an ideal Phil TRI point, but you would think that he would make the best out of it by giving the team what it needs.

Too many young players feel that scoring is the only way to a decent contract, Jordan falls into this fold. Its obvious he has the tools to be the quick defensive pg we NEED right now. We have one of if not the best offensive squads around so if he wants that starting spot he should be focused on re-gaining that outside shot and playing the best defense he can. This is what made ariza so successful and is the path that I see shannon brown following.

The whole thing with kobe can be seen differently, but we know there are some hurt feelings there but kobe is the MAN on this team. Kobe has shown that if you put forth the effort that while your on the court with him he will get you involved. Being a TRI pg means you wont be on the ball like a traditional pg and jordan should have figured this out during his YEARS playing under phil. To still be complaining is ridiculous, seeing as though the offense will not be changing for him.


Without knowing the accurate numbers I would like to try a swap of jordan for duhon. Duhon can defend and play on or off the ball and WOULD APPRECIATE PLAYING FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP.

[ALL HAIL]

If Farmar is given close to 20 minutes a game he'll have an OUTSTANDING year ... most players do well when given the opportunity in a contract year (that's a simple fact).

Also, I think he will get close to (if not more than) 20 minutes per game, so cosequently, I think he'll have a great year as our backup PG.

Shannon Brown will play a little backup PG but will get the majority of his minutes backing up Kobe at SG and backing up Artest at SF by pushing Kobe to SF.

Farmar will have a great year just like Walton, Vujacic, and Ariza before him have all had great years in a contract year.

More than likely, though, he doesn't belong on this team as long as Phil Jackson is coaching. And I'm one who thinks that Phil Jackson will continue to coach as long as he can walk and the Lakers can win championships.

[Joe Kleazy]

If Farmar is given close to 20 minutes a game he'll have an OUTSTANDING year ... most players do well when given the opportunity in a contract year (that's a simple fact).
Also, I think he will get close to (if not more than) 20 minutes per game, so cosequently, I think he'll have a great year as our backup PG.

Shannon Brown will play a little backup PG but will get the majority of his minutes backing up Kobe at SG and backing up Artest at SF by pushing Kobe to SF.

Farmar will have a great year just like Walton, Vujacic, and Ariza before him have all had great years in a contract year.

More than likely, though, he doesn't belong on this team as long as Phil Jackson is coaching. And I'm one who thinks that Phil Jackson will continue to coach as long as he can walk and the Lakers can win championships.

This is the whole problem, he should be bustin his azz at all times, not just in a contract year. This is the problem with alot of players in the league nowadays.

[Dexmor]

If Farmar is given close to 20 minutes a game he'll have an OUTSTANDING year ... most players do well when given the opportunity in a contract year (that's a simple fact).
Also, I think he will get close to (if not more than) 20 minutes per game, so cosequently, I think he'll have a great year as our backup PG.

Shannon Brown will play a little backup PG but will get the majority of his minutes backing up Kobe at SG and backing up Artest at SF by pushing Kobe to SF.

Farmar will have a great year just like Walton, Vujacic, and Ariza before him have all had great years in a contract year.

More than likely, though, he doesn't belong on this team as long as Phil Jackson is coaching. And I'm one who thinks that Phil Jackson will continue to coach as long as he can walk and the Lakers can win championships.

This is the whole problem, he should be bustin his azz at all times, not just in a contract year. This is the problem with alot of players in the league nowadays.

Thats an understatement. Juwan Howard and Erik Dampier tricked teams 2x