Jordan Farmar’s stock had fallen.
The Lakers back-up point guard had lost favor with Phil Jackson. And with fans. And he didn’t play a single minute during the final three games of the opening series against the Utah Jazz.
“It’s been up and down trying to stay level-headed and consistent and continue to improve and help this team however I can. I’m still only 22, but this is my third year and I wanted to be farther along. Starting or close to it, definitely playing a lot of minutes,” Farmar told me last month, before the Jazz series. “I have no concerns it’s going to work out for me. I care too much and I work too hard. Hopefully, we’ll be able to come home with a championship this year.”
Tonight he made his triumphant return.
With an opening in the starting lineup brought on by Derek Fisher’s one-game suspension, Farmar was given a chance to quarterback the team in game three against the Houston Rockets. He didn’t disappoint.
The league’s only Jewish player, who rather than pout during his team on the end of the bench had readied himself for his chance, put up more than respectable numbers: 12 points, five rebounds and seven assists, not to mention two steals and a block.
Mazel tov—and I don’t even like the Lakers.
For the lengthy profile of Farmar that I wrote last month, click here. An excerpt is after the jump:
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