Farmar

Post #1 » by **jazzfan1971** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 12:07 am

I figure that Phil probably LOVES Fisher. But, Fisher is getting up there in age. He might not be over the hill yet, but, the clock is ticking, for him as it does all of us.

I was wondering how much run Farmar would get this year. Would he get a larger role in mind of the eventual retirement of Fisher? Would he have a chance to start? Or will he be looking at about 20mpg again as everything at PG stays steady for one more season.

Personally, I'm guessing that we see about a 28/20 split just like last year, but, I wanted to hear what you guys that follow the team think.

Post #2 » by **Slava** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 12:30 am

Well Jordan Farmar was supposed to take on a much bigger role last season but he hasn't showed himself ready for it. He was spectacularly good in the regular season as the leader of the Bench Mob but he did slow down heavily after the ASB. He was alright in the first round and then got literally abused by Deron Williams in the 2nd. He made a very good recovery against the Spurs but lost it again in the finals.

He will bounce back though. He has a tough character and a willingness to spend time in the gym working on his weaknesses. He improved his 3 pt shot which was essential if he wanted to play with the starters but Fisher is just light years ahead of Farmar in defense and once again I think he will get plenty of action in the regular season but his playoff minutes and his future as a Laker PG depends upon how good he can be defensively. He also needs to work on distributing the ball and get more assists too.

By the way Phil Jackson loves Farmar but the management did have second thoughts on him towards the end of last season and were believed to be shopping him along with LO in a few rumored deals to get a better starting PG who could distribute the ball and reduce the play making burden off Kobe.

Frantik · Post #3 » by **Frantik** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 12:40 am

^^ well... there u go... :clap:

Speaking of lightyears gap... I believe farmar will close in on that gap this coming season.

I dont think farmar will completely take over as the starter this coming season but with the kind of hardworking mentality the kid has, I look for much improvment coming into the next season. He will average more minutes than DFish for sure....

That Nicka · Post #4 » by **That Nicka** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 3:03 am

I suspect it will be about a 24/24 split between Fisher and Farmar

Post #5 » by **kno** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 3:03 am

There is no doubt in my mind Farmar will have more minutes this season. Sasha will also get more burn, but I dont really see him playing point guard unless Phil decides to go big (a situation which will be pretty rare seeing as Odom/Bynum/Gasol is a big (pun semi-intended) mismatch as is).

Given the work ethic, leadership, and passion Farmar has, there's no doubt in my mind he is working on improving his game as we speak.

I still dont think Farmar will start any games this season (given Fish stays healthy) because of the fact that Fish is a better spot up shooter (will be needed next to Kobe and the never-ending double teams down low with Gasol/Bynum). Farmar is also a better distributor than Fish, which will help with leading the second unit. His drive and kick to Sasha/Radman will be much needed.

All in all, I see Farmar playing 25mpg this season.

Squirrel Boy · Post #6 » by **Squirrel Boy** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 4:03 am

I see 24/24 between Fish and Farmar. The gap is closing. Fish is coming up in age.

Post #7 » by **tkb** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 7:28 am

Actually I think Farmar will play more minutes than Fisher this year too (not a lot more though, but around 25-26-27 mpg). Not because he's better. but because I think Phil will want to save Fisher as much as he can until the playoffs. In the playoffs I expect the roles to reverse with Fisher getting more minutes.

daddyfivestar · Post #8 » by **daddyfivestar** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 2:45 pm

Since we've been hearing about Farmar since he was 14 or 15, we tend to forget... he's 21 as we speak. That's with 26 NBA playoff games under his belt including a Finals run, ncaa Finals run, LA City Championship, lost in State Semi's to Darren Collison's team. Guy has always been a winner.

Farmar improved scoring 200% from year 1 to year 2, assists improved 44%, steals increased 50%, boards 30%, both FGs and 3FG percentages improved significantly, while gaining 33% extra playing time. I expect more growth and maturity with the experience of last season, 24-25 minutes per game and similar increases in all categories expect PPG which might be tempered a bit with Bynum back and Pau in for a full year. 12.5p/3r/4a on 47.5% shooting and 40% threes.

One more year, imo, of shared time with Fisher and then next year they swap roles preparing Farmar to take over the reigns permanently.

Erik Eleven · Post #9 » by **Erik Eleven** » Mon Sep 8, 2008 11:15 pm

It depends on what Phil does with his defense next year. If we'll play hardnosed, lock-down defense and run the fastbreak a lot next season, keep him. But only if he holds his own within that defense. He's a very good ball handler and decision maker on the break, I think. Lots of damage can be done with Farmar running the break surrounded by Kobe, Odom, Bynum and Gasol.

Farmar is a gamer for sure. He's a big-game type player that is not scared of the big moments. He's just not 100% ready for it yet, in my opinion. He still makes cheap mistakes. Next season, I'd like to see 24/24 (Fisher gradually taking on bigger minutes after the ASB, and Farmar taking bigger minutes up until the ASB. I'm hoping we can split it 20/28 between Fisher/Farmar to start the year, with Fisher as a starter, and then gradually reverse those numbers as the season goes along.

As high as I am on his potential (always were), Farmar is as we all know not a perfect specimen as a PG for the triangle offense. He's the complimentary speedy point guard we needed so badly a few years ago. But, even if he doesn't improve his perimeter defense and offensive decision making, he will still be a very good trade bait who could be a better fit in a faster paced offense.

laduane1 · Post #10 » by **laduane1** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 12:01 am

Farmar is getting better and I hope he used this summer to get even better. All the great ones try to up there game all the time. JF might never be a allstar. But he could be one of the better second level tier point guards.

lakersfan182 · Post #11 » by **lakersfan182** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 3:06 am

laduane1 wrote:Farmar is getting better and I hope he used this summer to get even better. All the great ones try to up there game all the time. JF might never be a allstar. But he could be one of the better second level tier point guards.

even if he worked hard this summer, i dont think hes quite at all star level

Post #12 » by **kno** » Tue Sep 9, 2008 6:03 am

lakersfan182 wrote:
laduane1 wrote:Farmar is getting better and I hope he used this summer to get even better. All the great ones try to up there game all the time. JF might never be a allstar. But he could be one of the better second level tier point guards.

even if he worked hard this summer, i dont think hes quite at all star level

I think you misunderstood what he wrote.

He pretty much said Farmar will never reach all star level, which im sure is a consensus around here.

lakersfan182 · Post #13 » by **lakersfan182** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:33 am

Kno wrote:
lakersfan182 wrote:
laduane1 wrote:Farmar is getting better and I hope he used this summer to get even better. All the great ones try to up there game all the time. JF might never be a allstar. But he could be one of the better second level tier point guards.

even if he worked hard this summer, i dont think hes quite at all star level

I think you misunderstood what he wrote.

He pretty much said Farmar will never reach all star level, which im sure is a consensus around here.

oh yeah, for some reason i read that as "JF might even by a allstar"

DEEP3CL · Post #14 » by **DEEP3CL** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:59 am

Well the thing is Jordan has to get stronger physically to endure carrying the load a point guard must carry for 35-40 minutes a game. Jordan has shown burst of energy in early stages of games but can't carry that same energy in the second half. If you look at the two elite point guards in Chris Paul and Deron Williams they seem to maintain or exert more energy as the games wear on.

The first stage of taking over will be Jordan having to finish games off, meaning Phil must come to a comfort level of believing he can maintain the tempo of the offense. So far he's in a role that he's comfortable playing which is when Phil sends in the second unit to speed up the game.

Looking around the league right now I only see CP and Deron as the elite of the young up and coming guards and there is room for at least three more. Jordan could be that third but he has to believe he's as good as Paul or Williams. Both are better penetrating guards then Jordan, but Jordan could be a better outside shooter then both if he continues to develop his jumper.

Most here don't see Jordan as a ALL STAR, but there is no reason he couldn't earn it with hard work. The point position in the West is slowly changing, Baron is the last of the best maybe with Tony Parker but after that I don't see who's dominating nightly besides CP and D-Will.

Jordan has to want it cause it's there for the taking in this conference.

Patterns · Post #15 » by **Patterns** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:27 am

Did I just hear someone put Farmar with CP and Deron? Farmar will never be anywhere close as good as those two players. He will never be an all-star. He might not even be a starter in his career.

I'd say package him and Lamar for a legit starting/shooting SF and a backup PG.

DEEP3CL · Post #16 » by **DEEP3CL** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:38 am

You got it all wrong Patterns, I said he could be third in that tier. How do you know if he'll ever be an all star or not ? I'm not saying he will or he won't that's why guys have to put in work. It's not like it can't be done.

TruSkool · Post #17 » by **TruSkool** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:06 pm

i am not a farmar fan. big ego, less work.

trade him for a veteran pg like bobby jackson, carlos arroyo, etc

daddyfivestar · Post #18 » by **daddyfivestar** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:15 pm

DEEP3CL wrote:You got it all wrong Patterns, I said he could be third in that tier. How do you know if he'll ever be an all star or not ? I'm not saying he will or he won't that's guys have to put in work. It's not like it can't be done.

Exactly. Did anyone think Nash would be a TWO time MVP in this league after his 2nd year? With 17 mpg and 7 ppg avg at 24 y.o.? No. Everyone knew Nash had loads of talent and would be a starter in the league, but he "put in the work" to become an MVP, HOF, caliber player. Not saying Farmar will, but it can be done. It's the growth from year to year that counts more most players that gets them from solid first round talent to All Star potential.

Post #19 » by **milesfides** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:02 pm

Farmar is a very hard worker. By all accounts, he's a gym rat.

His production is solid, his PER is already above average, his shooting percentages are excellent.

Like DEEP3CL said, Farmar needs to get stronger. He gets pushed around too easily, and he can't sustain his level of play - in short, his impact is not consistent.

The biggest thing about Farmar is that he's 21 years old, and he's at the cusp of being a legit starter and quality PG in the NBA. Considering the jump in his sophomore year, I wouldn't rule out another year of improvement from Farmar.

Also, I wouldn't say he has ego problems - the guy is just passionate about competing. He wants it, he wants success, he wants to be the best. I love Farmar's attitude actually, I love his game, I love everything about him, except the fact that his body and his game might not be ready right now, but our team needs them to be.

Post #20 » by **milesfides** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:10 pm

Also, Chris Paul is a 1.5 years older than Farmar, and Deron Williams is 2.5 years older than Farmar.

While Paul had the keys to the team handed to him his rookie season, Williams was brought along slower in his rookie season, which was comparable to Farmar's soph season (this past season).

Not to imply that all players can make such vast improvements, but one certainly can't rule it out, especially considering the combination of Farmar's tangible talent and youth.