Final Stats: 73 G, 18 GS, 24.6 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 5.0 APG, 2.3 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 39% FG, 36% 3PG, 82% FT, 14.11 PER
Though the field goal percentage left a lot to be desired for a guy who was on the court for nearly half the game, you really couldn’t ask for more from Jordan Farmar given what he was brought to New Jersey to do. After the organization seemingly struggled for years to find stability at the back-up PG, Farmar provided it, first giving Avery Johnson ample time to rest the oft-injured Devin Harris, and then once Deron Williams was brought aboard, serving as a change-of-pace back-up and SG component in two guard sets.
But there are some things about the numbers that lie. Despite averaging 5 assists per game (and nearly 10 assists per 48 minutes), I would have liked to see Farmar look to create more, especially in the pick and roll game where he almost exclusively ignored his roll-mate and instead looked to shoot threes from the top of the key. He hit some big ones, no question, but there was obviously a reason why he seemed to fall out of favor with Phil Jackson and Los Angeles, who’s triangle offense did not seem to mesh with Farmar’s necessity to shoot to be involved in the game (a 21.8 usage rate seems a bit high for a back-up PG who is also used in two PG sets).
The Pink Shirt: For a Nets team still trying to prove that they were going to be better than last year’s 12-win campaign, Farmar was unexpectedly shoved into a major role on November 15 in Los Angeles, when Devin Harris was ejected in the second quarter for a flagrant foul on Blake Griffin. Farmar calmly stepped in, scoring 15 points and collecting 12 assists for the short-handed Nets, securing their first west coast road victory in what seemed like an eternity (but was actually about a season-and-a-half).
The Paper Bag: In a flip-flop of his pink shirt moment, Farmar scuffled on March 9 against the Golden State Warriors when Deron Williams was out attending the birth of his child. Yes, the Nets won the game against a bad opponent, but this stat line from Farmar was becoming commonplace once he started getting some spot starts in the second half of the season: 4 points on 2-10 shooting, including 0-5 from 3PG. The assists (9) were nice, but Farmar would go on to shoot 50 percent or better only 3 more times in his next 11 games with Deron Williams fighting a wrist injury.
Final Thoughts: I haven’t been shy about my thoughts on Farmar. With Deron Williams hopefully a fixture at PG going forward, a back-up PG like Farmar becomes unnecessary. I personally hope another team looks at Farmar’s three-point shooting and assists numbers and ignores his 21.8 usage rate and his overall field goal percentage. That way, the Nets could unload Farmar’s remaining salary, keep Sundiata Gaines and Ben Uzoh as cost effective back-ups for DWill, who will hopefully be able to play about 35 minutes a game next season.
Grade: B
