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Tue, Mar 17th 2009, 09:35
Jordan's Playboy.com Blog - Five on 5: Week 18
I’m blogging from Staples Center in downtown L.A. just after we beat the Mavs in an early afternoon game on the NCAA’s Selection Sunday. I’ve just found out on my iPhone that both my Bruins, along with other Pac-10 rivals Washington, Arizona State, Arizona and California, made the field, as well as our great cross-town rivals, USC Trojans, who got in by winning the conference tournament. Someone joked that the selection process, the seeding and bracketing for the NCAA tournament, may be harder than reading the US Tax Code, lol. But, looking back on my own college experience, the key going into the tournament is being on a run and having momentum. When the Bruins went to the tournament in 2006, we were on a 7-game win streak going in, and then took that streak up to 12 during the tournament. But before all that, we had an eye-opening loss to USC and it was a wake-up call, something that motivated us all the way to the tournament final. The thing about the tournament is that you have to bring your A-game and leave nothing in the tank or it’s one and done. Anyway, I’ve seen all the top four seeds play (North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Connecticut) and they all look strong. They’re going to be hard to beat. Who are you guys picking?
Did any of you get to see Pau and me on that Numb3rs TV episode? I liked that line the writers gave me, commenting on the coach’s new scheme called the Pi Triangle. My line went, “Looking at it, it’s pretty much the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.” I can’t see the Pi Triangle scheme making it into the NBA anytime soon. I really had a lot of fun, and my next goal is to get my SAG (Screen Actors Guild) card… when I have time.
Reader Melissa asked what my teammates and I do off court together. Well, starting March 21, we play seven straight games on the road. Going into the trip, we still have the best road record (23-9) in the NBA. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together, eating together, catching up on movies, maybe playing video games, trading stories, checking out and trading new music, just doing all kinds of things. It’s an opportunity to get closer, find out more about your teammates, like new guys Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown. For example, last time we were in Boston, the day after the game, we went to a private sports club to lift weights together, then played some 3-on-3 to run it off, and it was a lot of fun. Another reason that being on the road brings you together is that it’s just you as a team against the world. You get the whole city against you. You see those “Beat LA” signs and hear their chants. It’s true that the Lakers have a lot of fans around the country. But especially going into places like Boston and Cleveland, the 14 or 15 guys you travel with are up against 20,000 pumped up fans and then your opponents as well.
Readers have been asking about the Lakers’ two different units and how we play different styles of ball. When the second unit, the Bench Mob and I, come into the game, we play an up-tempo game, try to make a lot more things happen defensively in terms of just scrumming the game up. It’s about making steals and creating turnovers, making it a lot less organized, less comfortable for our opponents, make them get out of what they do every day in practice. If we get them out of their comfort zone, that’s when they make mistakes and turn the ball over. It’s more of a run-and-gun style but still in control. Our starters play a little more solid at a steady, methodical pace. They have bigger guys on the first unit so they can make others take bad shots and grab the rebounds to go execute on the offense. So having those two different styles of play during the course of a single game makes it tough for teams to adjust to.
But because of injuries, suspensions and things like that, there have been some personnel changes on our second unit. Lamar has gone to the first unit since Drew went down. More recently Josh Powell and Trevor Ariza have started. But it gives the rest of us an opportunity to play more, and we do love playing together. The team also traded Vlad and Chris Mihm, and then we brought in Shannon and Adam. When new people come in, when guys go down, the changes in personnel can’t help but impact the consistency of your unit’s play. But with these changes, it’s a matter of getting comfortable with each other, playing well so we can all be on the same page and help contribute overall. We’re fine though, playing unselfish basketball, giving each other a chance to be successful, and stay on course with our mission.
In response to some Playboy.com readers’ comments: Amsterdam-based reader Lo asked about going to school in L.A. Anyone who’s ever visited here knows what SoCal is about, we’re blessed to have good weather, the ocean, the mountains, and did I say good weather? Thanks to Sharky for adding Five on 5 and Playboy.com to his “newsreader” service and to others like Yvette who are just discovering my blog. Finally, Jennah asked about what I eat regularly and I’ll talk about that soon but here’s a hint, I love In–N-Out burgers!
Hey, how’s your spring break going? Let me know some stories, and check back next time.
JFarm
Comments
Angela | on 23/3/09
Hey Jordan
I have a theory, and I want to request you to pass it on to Andrew Bynum to help him get back on the court faster.
Don’t you think that the more a player gives back, the faster he bounces back from injury? For example, Gilbert Arenas gets HUGE contracts, but I don’t think I ever heard him do anything in the community. But like you’ve done A LOT and are generous, and also got back from your injury faster than expected. Also, I haven’t really heard Tracy Mcgrady do anything, and he’s also injured a lot. But Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan give back alot, and they’re usually healthy. SOOOO in a recent interview, Andrew Bynum said that he has 10 cars. And for his last birthday, he was “making it rain” with dollar bills. Even if they were only $1s, don’t you think it’s kinda wrong since some people would be running to pick those dollars up? Anyway, what I’m saying is maybe Andrew needs to get involved in the community more and donate more of his money… and that will help him come back from injury faster. I mean, if he gets injured in Janurary against the same team in consecutive years, and both in the knees, don’t you think he should fix some things outside of basketball? He should give back. Since he’s so into technology.. maybe he can partner up with Apple and donate some Macs or stuff like that.
Please pass this to Andrew.. since you read all these comments. Even if my theory is wrong.. it’ll do him good and make himself appear more grown up and more aware of what’s going on in the world.
Tay | on 21/3/09
holy f*ck excellent game today jfarm! Can’t wait to see more of that!
Tay | on 21/3/09
First thing I did first day of spring break? Fly to LA to watch the Lakers-Warriors game. Best start of a break ever. Good game with your assists man.
Although, TOs and bad defense are killing you guys though.
Anyway, all the best for this upcoming road trip and the rest of the regular season, it’s quickly coming to a close and we’d better finish strong, right?
Cindita | on 20/3/09
Hi Jordan, I just want to say that I am a huge Laker Fan and that you are one of my fav players. I also think that it’s so amazing all the good things you do when you are outside the court… The Charity you run is wonderful and you will be blessed with so many wonderful things each and everyday you are a good inspiration to many, I am a senior in college and I will be doing an internship with either Fox Sports or Staples Center and hope to sometime see you in person… I as well as others that have written will be watching your games on TV and at Staples Center WHOOHOO GO LAKERS and have much respect and love for YOU!!!!!
helping hanf | on 19/3/09
I used to volunteer at Chase Place children hospital, I did an activity with the kids that really effected me, the children, and their families. I see you are working on opening a green room for the hospital you help with, my question is if someone were to want to be a part of this, who do we contact? I would love to do the things i did a Chase Place again, and I’m sure you would be 100% behind the ideas because you seem to be more hands on with wanting to know these kids and wanting to be their friends instead of just giving them money.
Is there someone on your foundation that I can get in contact with to organize ideas or be involved in anyway?
please let me know.egabdav@gmail.com
Vanessa Michele | on 19/3/09
Hey Jordan!
How do I find out more info about your Golf Tournament at Sherwood Golf Course?
My friend Amy and I play golf every week in/around Westlake. Is it open to the public?
We would love to play and support the cause..
Thank you!
Vanessa Michele
Taryn | on 19/3/09
Can you cook?
Carissa | on 18/3/09
OMG its not even spring break yet for UC’s (ucla, uci, ucr- my school!) its finals week! spring break is next week :( i needed a break so i read your blog. and i agree i love so cal weather :] my main reason for NOT leaving cali for college.
oh yeahh that last shot by iguodala on tues totally killed me. i was crushed.
best of luck the rest of the season!
mirna | on 18/3/09
hey jordan! i wanted to ask, do you have a girlfriend? also have you ever dated a latina?lol ;)
Aviana | on 18/3/09
HEY JORDAN =D
I’VE BEEN READING YOUR BLOGS AND I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THE WORK YOU DO WITH KIDS, OVERSEAS IN ISRAEL AND IN THE HOSPITAL. I THINK IT’S SO AMAZING THAT YOU TAKE TIME OUT OF YOUR LIFE TO HELP KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN NEED. I COULD IMAGINE THAT YOUR EXTREMELY BUSY, BUT THE FACT THAT YOU GIVE BACK IS SO INSPIRING. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE THAT OUT THERE. I’M GONNA GRADUATE NEXT YEAR FROM CSULA AND GET INTO THE SOCIAL WORK FIELD DOING SIMILAR THINGS WITH KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES SO I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. (AND ON THE COURT TOO!!) THANKS FOR BEING THE POSITIVE INFLUENCE THAT YOU ARE.....GO LAKERS!
Bob Levitan | on 18/3/09
I’m interested in sending my 2 boys, ages 7 and 9 to your basketball camp this summer. They love the game (currently play at VNSO, as you did) and are eager to learn. I’d like to know, though, how much hands-on interaction you have with the kids, especially the younger ones. We did another camp last summer (Paul Pierce, ahem) where he just stood on the sidelines chatting with his homies. He hardly said a word to the kids one-on-one, much less working with them on their skills. I know that some of these camps use the NBA star to get people in the tent. From what I know of you, I’d like to think you bring more than that to the party.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond to this question.
Priscilla | on 18/3/09
I left a comment a few comments above. I went to last nights game and it of course was great, the energy from the audience was crazy. Last night was a BIG shock to us all, but I was curious to find out…What do you guys do after a game? Do you stick around, go home and sleep it off, go out for a bite? Just curious. :)
staci | on 18/3/09
Hello, my name is Staci as you can see. I would consider myself a huge fan of yours… every since the UCLA days… I really don’t have a story but I would like to mention how my friends called me on senior ditch day (later that night) saying that they saw you @ NORDSTROMS in the south bay galleria… I was so mad they could have called me… lol they was saying how cute you looked blah, blah, blah. I was so sad. BTW I was thinking like since ya’ll about to go on this longgggggggggg road trip you should like stop by my school (king drew high School) and say hey (to me of course) lmao… Seriously though… Staci
Steph | on 17/3/09
Hey Jordan!
I think it is very sweet of you to take the time and have some interaction with your fans. On the other hand, I was wondering whether you are single or not. Rumor has it that you have a girlfriend, but you never speak of her. I know it really is irrelevant, but since you take the time to mention things you like in girls, the certain ‘breeds’ of girls out there, and a whole lot of other things, I would think that you would have at least mentioned her once. And if you do have a girlfriend, does she have a lot of the attributes that you talk about liking in women? And since we are on the subject of dating, are a lot of NBA players into having one steady girlfriend to play it safe because they think everyone is on the prowl for their money and their status? Because I am sure that there are a lot of girls out there that are not just looking for a famous basketball player, they may have an initial attraction towards a basketball player(in the most general of terms), but it may be the same reason you are attracted to Alicia Keys. My point is, do you, if single, label everyone who might think of you as ‘a bit attractive’ as a ‘psycho’ fan out for your money? Men claim to like independent women, but if a woman takes the time to go after a crush, especially someone who is in the NBA, which, to some, could just mean you have a job, it means another crazy gold digger fan on the list.
Honestly, I don’t mean for the negative connotation, I am just really curious to see how our societal ladders work. I am not saying that YOU do these things, but it would be nice to get a point of view from the other side of things. I mean, I think you are cute, but if I mention it to you I might be automatically labeled. It’s very intriguing because this whole message might get labeled. But its alright. In the end things are what they and you have to just let them be because you can’t be identified with labels. Being a fan is not a bad thing at all. it’s the ’psycho’ fan no one wants to be. But everyone is different so perceptions of things are all different also. C’est la vie! I respect the fact that guys in the NBA probably do have a lot of INSANE fans that freak the crap out of you, so I understand your side of the game too. My dad always says, “the day you learn to put yourself in others shoes, is the day your life gets that much easier”, and I totally believe it.
Thanks for reading this GINORMOUS message. I appreciate it! Sending positive energy your way! GO LAKERS!
Morgan | on 17/3/09
I know you went and played for UCLA, so without being biased how far do you think they’ll get in the tournament this year? My dad has worked there for forever so i was raised to love them. G’luck tonight.
Joanne | on 17/3/09
Hey Jordan,
I’m a huge fan and I’m so glad you have these interesting blogs to let your fans, as well as Lakers fans, know what is going on. Since we all saw you and Pau do a great job on Numb3rs this past Friday, I just wanted to ask- what television series would you like to be on? (Cause I know you would be a successful actor as well)
Thanks
BRIT | on 17/3/09
Hey J, you mentioned playing video games which is your favorite?
Kevin Manuel | on 17/3/09
My spring break is doing good so far..We actually went to a field trip to watch whales.. I didnt know what I was going too because I get sea sick. But I wanna try something new. And whales and dolphins are my favorite sea animals. How about your spring break? Doing anything fun ?
Jessica | on 17/3/09
Jordan,
I wanted to share a story with you. My boyfriend has been a Lakers fan for years. At the time that I met him I really hadn’t watch too many Lakers game. Well I knew I had to jump on the bandwagon because I knew that most of our night were going to be watching the Lakers game together. The first night we watched a game, my boyfriend told me that I needed to pick a player. I didn’t know anyone on the team so I picked someone randomly. Well the player that I picked was you. I even came up with something creative that when you make a basket I will do something called the “Farmar dance” It sounds kind of silly but cute at the same time. Even at this day with me being a huge Lakers fan you are still my favorite player. It is really exciting watching you play.
Thank you for taking your time to read this.
Jessica
Pris | on 17/3/09
I’m going to my very FIRST laker game TONIGHT!!! I’m so excited. I’ve never been into watching basketball before and this season the Lakers have been doing so well that the team has caught my fascination. Now I have the game on whenever you guys play :) Good Luck. You’re my fave tho, for obvious gorgeous reasons. Sorry, I had to throw that in.
Love, Pris.