Orange County Register

But big picture, Farmar’s regular-season-ending slump is a major issue for the Lakers, who have grappled with the whole question of whether Farmar is arrogant or just confident. Ever since the March 24 game in Oklahoma City — which is the same day we published this column with a bunch of excuses for why Farmar wasn’t playing better — he has been pretty bad. In the last 12 games, Farmar has shot 15 for 60 (25 percent) from the field and often looked totally unsure about what he wants to do out there.

Phil Jackson keeps telling him to “be aggressive,” and despite the struggles and dwindling playing time, Jackson said: “I think he’s looking like he’s coming back with more energy.”

Here is what Farmar had to say about Brown’s emergence, Jackson not explaining much to him about the playing time and how to move forward in the playoffs from here:

“This is how it was in my rookie season when I started, he didn’t tell me. It’s part of it. He likes to test people and put people in positions to be successful. Shannon’s playing great basketball. He’s knocking down shots, he’s playing good D, he’s going to the hole — so as long as he keeps playing like that and we keep winning, it’s all good.

“Life is a test. Every situation, it’s all in how you approach it and how you look at it. It’s not always going to be easy; it’s not always going to be what you want. But I just want to win. Whatever it takes for this team to win, I’m willing to do it. Five minutes, 20 minutes, whatever it is.

“Whatever it is out there, I’ve got to give all I’ve got. Whether it’s to pick up full court and make it tough on other guards and wear them down a little bit, push the ball back at them, make the right decisions, make the extra pass and knock down shots … I’ll try the best I can to do all of them.”