Grizzlies challenge Farmar
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Grizzlies challenge Farmar
LONG BEACH - During his two years at UCLA, Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar penetrated through the lane and controlled the Bruins' offense at will.
Through three games of the Long Beach Summer Pro League, Jordan Farmar experienced similar success, as he led the Lakers in scoring as well as assists.
On Saturday at the Lakers vs Grizzlies the Memphis Grizzlies in a standing-room-only crowd of 5,000, however, Farmar found the harsh new reality of moving to the NBA.
Not only was Jordan Farmar stifled defensively by the Memphis Grizlies and former Villanova guard Kyle Lowry, he also had trouble running the Lakers' offense, committing seven turnovers and finishing 4-12 from the field for 10 points.
"He has great instincts for the game and is very knowledgeable basketball-wise," Lakers summer coach Kurt Rambis said. "But he certainly struggled a little bit today."
Farmar, the Lakers' first-round draft pick, struggled with his outside shot, finishing 0-5 from beyond the arc, and had trouble matching up against the Grizzlies' taller and more physical guards Tarence Kinsey and Junior Harrington.
When asked about his struggles on Saturday, Farmar didn't seem too worried.
"The team and I just had an off day," Farmar said. "It happens when you play basketball. I'm sure the coaches will work with us on what to improve."
Rambis envisions Farmar playing a pivotal role with the Lakers once training camp begins in early October, but until then he feels Farmar can improve his outside shooting and gain a better grasp of the offense.
"He has done an exceptional job of picking up the offense so far, but there are still many things to learn," Rambis said. "And in terms of his jump shot, there are some things he needs to change fundamentally."
Farmar thus far this summer has benefited from playing with a traditional big man in Andrew Bynum - an experience he never had at UCLA - and from playing in an offense that adapts to his playmaking abilities.
But the summer league schedule has been brutal, with the Lakers often playing games on back-to-back nights.
It has been quite a change for Farmar, who was used to playing only twice a week in college.
"It has taken some time to adapt, but hasn't been too much of a problem," Farmar said. "The guys just need to get their feet under them and we should be fine."
Farmar, who said he will take a week or two off after the summer league ends, now has two games remaining (Tuesday against the Wizards and Wednesday, also against the Grizzlies) to prove to Lakers management and fans that they made the right choice in selecting the 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound point guard.
Until then, Farmar will just continue enjoying playing in front of his home crowd and learning under the tutelage of Rambis and Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw.
And, despite his minor struggles on the court, he is just enjoying his "dream come true."
"To have everyone chanting my name and playing in front of family is awesome," Farmar said. "You couldn't have asked for anything better."
FEY APPEARS: Graduated senior center Michael Fey is also playing on the Lakers' summer league team.
Fey struggled on Saturday during six minutes of action, committing two personal fouls and scoring zero points.
Fey wasn't concerned, however, saying that if he does not get picked up by an NBA team he would consider playing in the NBA developmental league or playing overseas.
"I'm optimistic," Fey said. "We'll see how things turn out in the coming weeks/p>
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