Farmar back before All-Star break?

L.A Times

Lakers guard Jordan Farmar took part in a series of shooting drills and punctuated it with a dunk half an hour before Monday's game.

Ahead of schedule? Sure looks that way.

"I don't even know what the schedule is," Farmar said, smiling. "But I feel good."

Farmar has missed 15 games because of torn cartilage in his left knee that required surgery last month. He is supposed to be back near the All-Star break, which is more than three weeks away, but his rehabilitation is going well and the Lakers are cautiously optimistic about an early return.

Farmar is averaging 7.9 points and 2.4 assists in 19.6 minutes a game. The hard-charging reserve was injured after stealing the ball and going in for a layup Dec. 19 against Miami.
His return would cause instant relief for Derek Fisher, who had averaged 39.3 minutes in his last nine games before Monday.

"We know we have to get Fish off the floor a little bit," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

The Lakers have experienced a spate of injuries in recent weeks, though Farmar is their last player still on the sidelines.