LOS ANGELES – Maybe wearing red shorts and a dark blue warm-up shirt is what made Sasha Vujacic feel out of place.
More likely, getting dressed in the small visitors locker room at Staples Center and heading to the opposite side of the sideline — near Jack Nicholson’s seat — is what caused Vujacic a few strange moments Friday night before the New Jersey Nets played the Lakers.
For the past seven years, Vujacic played for the Lakers. He wore purple and gold, and the spacious Lakers locker room was his second home. Vujacic was traded Dec. 15 to the Nets in a multi-team deal that not only uprooted the guard but boosted his career.
“It felt different the first time for a shoot-around in Staples Center in a long time,” Vujacic said. “It felt in a way different, but right.”
What makes the trade right in Vujacic’s mind is that he is getting more playing time with the Nets than he had been with the guard-laden Lakers. Vujacic, who did not appear in many Lakers games this season before he was traded, is averaging 27 minutes off the bench with the Nets.
He is making the most of his opportunity, averaging 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
“It was time for a change for me in my career,” Vujacic said. “I had seven great years in L.A., but it’s behind me now. I got to refuel, restart and I’m looking forward to new challenges in my life with the Nets.”
Vujacic said he possesses many great memories during his Lakers days and misses some things. But not all.
“Phil’s mind games I don’t miss, so it’s good,” Vujacic said of Lakers coach Phil Jackson.
FAMILIAR RING
Jordan Farmar, now of the Nets, didn’t know what to expect from those in the Staples Center crowd when he stepped onto the court Friday to receive his 2010 NBA championship ring.
Would they cheer? Would they appreciate his four seasons with the Lakers and his efforts in bringing the team back-to-back NBA championships? Would they boo?
Turned out, Farmar had nothing to worry about. The crowd gave him a standing ovation at midcourt.
“It’s a little bit different,” Farmar said of playing as a visitor Friday.
