When Jordan Farmar agreed to take less money to re-join the Los Angeles Lakers this season, it’s likely the Los Angeles native didn’t envision being part of a team that is 21 games under .500 and out of the playoff picture. Prior to signing with the then New Jersey Nets, Farmar spent four seasons with the Lakers, learning the culture and winning two NBA championships.
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With the Lakers clearly not contending for an NBA title this season, Farmar voiced his frustrations with how the season has gone following Friday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets:
Farmar: “I hate being on losing teams, losing atmospheres, it gets to be contagious. It gets to be okay & it’s not okay w/ me.” (on TWC)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 8, 2014
The attitude of being content with losing that Farmar speaks of seemed to be present in the Lakers’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. As the Clippers blew the game open, several Laker players appeared to be going through the motions. Phil Jackson often half-heartedly criticized Farmar in years past for the point guard’s emotional play, but he has since matured and has been able harness it.
Aside from the losing record, Farmar has put together a productive year on a personal level. He’s averaging 9.9 points per game, which is just under his career-high of 10.4. Farmar is also shooting the ball well from 3-point territory, currently hitting 44.1 percent, which would set a new career-high for the seventh-year point guard. Despite his productivity, Farmar has only started five games, but he has often been the point guard on the floor in several fourth quarters. One reason that can possibly explain the low number of starts is Farmar’s bouts with two separate hamstring injuries.
To this point, Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni has resisted moving Farmar into the starting lineup, but with just 19 games remaining, coupled with Farmar’s level of play, that may soon change. Set to become a free agent in the summer, the final stretch of the season could have implications on the contract offers Farmar will receive.
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