Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash have both been shut down for the season due to injuries, Pau Gasol has quarreled with head coach Mike D’Antoni through the media and injury woes to marquee players have trickled down to the entire roster.
Despite a surplus of negatives, however, one player has stood out above the rest as a guy who deserves more credit—perhaps via a new contract in the offseason.
Veteran point guard Jordan Farmar has had his season cut short due to health concerns, but he’s made a surprisingly impressive impact when healthy.
Despite not playing in the NBA during 2012-13—instead choosing to play overseas—the 27-year-old has posted arguably his best professional season in his return to LA.
Bench Contribution
D’Antoni needed players to step up in the absence of Bryant and Nash. Farmar was able to do that and so much more when he was out on the court.
In 31 games off the bench for Los Angeles, Farmar averaged 10.5 points on 44.5 percent shooting from the field and a scorching-hot 47.1 percent from three-point range, according to NBA.com. He also dished out 4.4 assists per game in slightly more than 20 minutes of action as part of the second unit.
His ability to provide instant offense and veteran leadership off the bench is one of the biggest reasons for Lakerland’s 180-degree turnaround in that department.
In just a one-season span, the Lakers’ second unit improved from 28th in bench scoring to second in that category thus far in 2013-14, according to Hoops Stats. Lacking a consistent starting five forced the bench into more action than...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
