Viewing Single Post From: Los Angeles Lakers

Viewing Single Post From: Los Angeles Lakers
illemRecords	Nov 17 2008, 07:00 PM
New Member Posts: 59 Group: CZC Member Member #2,797 Joined: October 23, 2008	WHY IS IT THAT I AM ALWAYS RIGHT??? See now I am PRO. I know my stuff I knew this long before, good thing I called it before It Hit the news. LATEST HEADLINES - NBA NEWS E-mail RSS Feeds E-News Sign Up Add Widget farmarfish608.jpg Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images Western Conference Insider: Farmar to carry on Fisher legacy By Dave McMenamin, NBA.com Posted Nov 17 2008 8:15PM LOS ANGELES -- Derek Fisher's legacy with the Lakers is set in stone after being a key member of the Lakers three-peat from 2000-02, hitting that impossible shot with 0.4 seconds left against San Antonio and starting with the team in the same rookie class as Kobe Bryant and serving as perhaps the lone teammate that Bryant trusted and respected for his level of dedication throughout his whole career. But while Kobe's level of play continues to rise in his 13th season, time is starting to catch up with the 34-year old Fisher who is shooting .349 from the field. Fisher is still Phil Jackson's most trusted option at the point guard position, still starting and playing 27.9 minutes a night, but while Bryant doesn't have to worry about Trevor Ariza nabbing his spot at the two guard, Fisher has somebody waiting in the wings. Third-year point guard Jordan Farmar just might be the most underrated player in the league. Despite playing eight minutes less per game than Fisher, he averages more assists, steals and rebounds than the vet and shoots a higher percentage from the field. "My shooting has definitely improved," Farmar said. "If the defense is backing up, I'm becoming a professional in learning not to force the issue or push it too far. If the defense gives you a shot, you just take it and knock it down." After a breakout preseason leading the Lakers in points per game, Farmar has settled into his role off the bench. Fisher has one year remaining on his contract after this season as does Farmar on his rookie deal, but expect the 21-year old to take over the reins and be granted a contract extension. Farmar is still learning, but as the leader of the Lakers' second unit, he is always looking for an opportunity to give his team a spark. "I'm going to make mistakes but they're going to be errors of commission, trying to make something happen, not make mistakes because I'm afraid," Farmar said. "I want to be aggressive and take it to them all the time." While Fisher relies on strength and a sneaky lefty stroke, Farmar excels with his speed, leaping ability and outside jumper that looks like he shoots with two hands. One thing the pair have in common is their maturity. Fisher is the president of the player's association and Farmar has long been wise beyond his years from sending SAT studying books to fellow L.A. native Nick Young when they were both in high school when he heard that Young was struggling with his test scores to running basketball clinics in Israel this past summer to promote peace for Israeli and Palestinian children through the game. "I think what Jordan has done is he has not become complacent in his success," Fisher told the L.A. Daily News. "That's why he's continued to separate himself so early in his career. He's willing to put the extra hours in. Extra time watching film, looking at what he's done wrong and what he's done right." The Lakers face a pair of point guards that draw interesting parallels to Farmar and Fisher this week when they play the Bulls on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET, NBATV) and go up against the young, up-and-coming Derrick Rose running the show, followed by the Suns on Thursday (10:30 p.m. ET, TNT) who trot out the experienced former MVP, Steve Nash at the one. Edited by illemRecords, Nov 18 2008, 12:58 AM.


Los Angeles Lakers · Sports

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