One of the newest Nets talks about turning around a franchise.
by David Cassilo / @dcassilo
After winning back-to-back NBA championships as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jordan Farmar signed a three-year contract this offseason with the New Jersey Nets. Going from last season’s best team to its worst team is a significant drop-off, but Farmar should see an increase in playing time, especially if starting point guard Devin Harris is traded.
At 23 years old and with four seasons under his belt, Farmar can actually be considered an elder statesman on one of the youngest teams in the NBA. He will be a key player in the team’s rotation as the Nets try to turn things around.
Appearing Sunday in Englewood, NJ, for the Hoop Farm clinic, an event presented by the Jordan Farmar Foundation, he discussed the differences between starting a season with the Lakers and the Nets, the role Avery Johnson played in his decision to join New Jersey and how he deals with trade rumors that might make him the team’s starting point guard.
SLAM: You started Hoop Farm out in Los Angeles, and now you’ve brought it with you to New Jersey. How are things going with that?
Jordan Farmar: I’m just trying to find my roots a little bit and give back to the kids. Today was a good day. The kids are having a great time.
SLAM: This was your first week practicing with the Nets. How has the adjustment been?
JF: It’s been really good. I had a lot different of a situation in Los Angeles, so things here are totally different and totally new. Playing for Avery Johnson has been good so far. I’m really looking forward to getting started.
SLAM: What is difference like between preparing for the season as a defending champion and preparing for the season after the team had the worst record in the NBA?
JF: Every year you go into the season with expectations and just looking at your task at hand. Everything last season was committed toward winning a championship, and this season is committed towards improvement. That task is just as important to me to be one of the guys that turns this organization around.
SLAM: What made you choose New Jersey over other teams?
JF: The newness of everything. New ownership, new management and a new coach — Avery Johnson was a big part of it. I had seen what he did in Dallas and his winning ways and how he helped Devin Harris become an All-Star caliber point guard. He talked me into it. We talked a lot over the summer about my skill set, what I needed to work on and how he could help me. I’m at a stage of my career where I just want to grow and get better.
SLAM: Is it weird to be 23 years old, but still be one of the older guys on this Nets team?
JF: I like it a lot. In Los Angeles, I was always going to be one of the younger guys, but here, I’m coming in with two championships. I’ve been down that road before. I definitely embrace that aspect of it.
SLAM: What have you seen out of Derrick Favors, Terrence Williams and the young guys?
JF: They’re going to be good. It’s just a matter of time before they understand the NBA level. They’re terrific players.
SLAM: There have been a lot of trade rumors recently, and if they go down, you could wind up the starting point guard. Does that affect you at all?
JF: Not necessarily, but I want to be a starting point guard one day, regardless. That’s what I’ve worked for my whole life. I’ve led teams to championships in high school and college so I definitely feel like I have that capability. It’s just a matter of time before the stars align for me in that aspect of my career.
SLAM: How has the adjustment been of living on the West Coast all your life and now being in New Jersey?
JF: It’s been good too. I’m a gym rat, and it’s the same temperature in every gym. I just try to spend as much time in there as possible and enjoy the whole journey.
SLAM: A high school teammate of yours was New York Giants wider receiver Steve Smith. Have you been able to get together with him since moving to the area?
JF: Yeah, he lives pretty close to me. I’ve won two NBA championships, and he’s won a Super Bowl, so it’s been pretty cool for us.
SLAM: What other events can we expect from Hoop Farm in the area in the future?
JF: We’ll figure some stuff out. We’re still figuring out the community and working it into my schedule. I definitely will reach out the best that I can.
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