Former Bruins Farmar, Afflalo face off in summer league



LAS VEGAS - For two seasons Arron Afflalo and Jordan Farmar ruled the backcourt at UCLA and helped return the Bruins to prominence, taking them to the NCAA championship game in 2006.

They were together on the court again Saturday, Afflalo playing for Detroit and Jordan Farmar for the Los Angeles Lakers, going at each other and defending each other.

Afflalo, who was taken with the 27th pick in the first round of the June draft, finished with seven points on 3-for-10 shooting. Jordan Farmar, selected No. 26 in 2006, had five points.

"Jordan is improving every day. It was good to get out there and see him," Afflalo said.

At 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, Afflalo had an advantage over the 6-2, 180-pound Jordan Farmar.

"It's good to play and compete against him," Jordan Farmar said. "He's a big, strong guard, so for me to guard him and hold my own and do well is a good thing."

Summer Slump for Jordan Farmar

In his final summer league game, Jordan Farmar missed all eight of his shots. He made 5 of 7 free throws, but that did little to appease him after shooting a dismal 35.5 percent from the field in five games.

When asked to evaluate his play, Jordan Farmar was succinct.

"I was terrible, man," he said.

Why?

"I expected so much more out of myself," said Jordan Farmar, who was playing in his second summer league and will be entering his second NBA season. "This time I knew what I was doing, so I would try to do what I knew was right in the next step of the offense. It's my responsibility when things don't go right."

As soon as last season was over, Jordan Farmar went to work on improving his shot. He'd shoot in the morning and then come back at night.

But he didn't see the results he wanted in Las Vegas. Jordan Farmar was 16 for 45 from the field, including 6 for 18 from three-point range.

"It just bothers me," said Jordan Farmar, who played with a pulled right hip flexor. "You work hard for a reason. You want to see it pay off. Back to the gym, back to the lab and get back to work."

Pistons top Los Angeles Lakers, 84-81

The Los Angeles Lakers lost their final summer league game to Detroit, 84-81 at Thomas & Mack Center.

Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Javaris Crittenton had 28 points, hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 79 and made two free throws to pull the Los Angeles Lakers to within 83-81.

But the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't get the defensive stops they needed and finished 2-3 in the summer league.

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