In Vegas: What a Difference a Year Makes for Farmar



Jordan Farmar has been here before, only the view is different this time around. Jordan Farmar entered last year’s NBA Summer League as a wide-eyed rookie. This summer, he comes to Las Vegas one year wiser.

“It’s a little different aspect,” said Jordan Farmar. “I’m coming in as the guy who knows what he’s supposed to be doing.”

Jordan Farmar knows what to expect after getting his rookie year under his belt. Last season, he played in 72 games for the Los Angeles Lakers and also appeared in one game for the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League. His teammates may have showed him the ropes in Los Angeles, but he was on his own at last year’s Summer League.

“I didn’t get much [advice],” he said. “I was kind of just thrown into the fire. It works. When you’re forced to just go out there and defend yourself and play as hard as you can, good things will happen.”

The 6’2” guard is trying to make good things happen again in Las Vegas. But just because he knows what he’s doing, that doesn’t mean his teammates do. Jordan Farmar, 20, is the only current Laker on the summer squad that also includes first round pick Javaris Crittenton.

“There are guys who just learned the triangle two days ago and they’re making mistakes,” he said on Sunday after the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Milwaukee Bucks, 66-64. “I’m trying to keep my cool and just make sure that everything continues to run smoothly.”

Jordan Farmar’s perspective of the game is different than most. It’s not his job to run up the scoreboard. Rather, he has to make sure that the ball gets in the right hands at the right time.

“On the offensive play we all have to compliment each other,” Farmar said. “We all have to play well together, so I keep it moving as one. If we’re doing that, we’re playing well.

While many on the Los Angeles Lakers summer team are fighting for a roster spot, Farmar wants to take advantage of the one he already has. Even though he has garnered accolades, including a selection to the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam during All Star Weekend, he still has something to prove next season.

“[I want to prove] that I’ve improved,” he said. “[I want to prove] that I’ve worked hard in the off season on the things that I needed to, and I’ve come back ready to contribute even more so to the team.“

This year, Jordan Farmar has a different view of Summer League and hopes he will have a different view of the NBA.

Said Jordan Farmar, “Hopefully I’m the starting point guard.”

The view from the starting lineup may be the best one in the Staples Center.

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