It's been an interesting rookie campaign for Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette. While the 10th overall pick has experienced both the highs of being an emerging star, notching four straight double-digit scoring games, as well as the lows of being an unproven first-year player, getting a pair of DNP-CDs (did not play due to coach decision), he never lost confidence in his shot or playmaking ability.
Over the first 16 games of the season, the former Brigham Young University star, who led the NCAA with 28.9 points per game last year, averaged just 6.9 points on 33.1 percent shooting (28.6 from downtown) in 22 minutes of action.
“[I’m trying to] just continue to get more consistent, [so] I think that’s the biggest thing,” he said at the time. “Consistency is a challenge for rookies a lot of times, [and] that’s what I’m trying to work on.
“But when I get into the game, I just play as hard as [I] can – the shots will fall and I just go out there and [do] whatever it is that the coach wants me to do, and whatever it is that’s best to help the team win that night.”
Asked to be a more aggressive scorer by coach Keith Smart, the sharpshooting rookie filled in admirably for the Kings' leading scorer, Marcus Thornton, who was sidelined with a thigh injury. Fredette set NBA career highs in points (20), assists (6) and free throws (7) against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 21, and averaged 16.5 points on 45.7 percent shooting during a four-game hot streak, knocking down a league-best 14 out of 23 attempts from behind the arc (60.9 percent).
“I think [the NBA game] is starting to slow down a bit for me, for sure,” he said. "I'm starting to get used to everything – seeing the ball go in you gain confidence automatically.
"If you continue to try to play well, it will get easier as you play. I still have a lot of things to work on and that keeps me driven, but it's getting a little bit better."
Yet, on January 31, Fredette was in for only 19 minutes against the Golden State Warriors, scoring five points, and didn't play at all during the ensuing two games once Thornton returned to the starting lineup. After once again receiving limited playing time against the New Orleans Hornets on Monday, the rookie appeared to be headed for another quiet night against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Article comments
1 - chad
at the end where marcus thorton has to immediately turn it into a team competition, its obvious to me what i have expected all along.. this team see's fredette as the enemy... for the most part.... not the big guys per say. but def the other guards... there is a stand off nature that occurs when he is in the game towards thats hard to stomach
2 - Alex Kramers
@Chad: I don't think anyone on the Kings sees Jimmer as the enemy at all. Marcus was asked about who is the best shooter on the team, and he gave Jimmer a lot of credit with his answer. I'm sure there's some friendly competition behind the scenes, but all of the guys want is to win games, regardless of who gets the credit. Jimmer is still a rookie learning the ropes, and he's gained respect from the team's veterans and coaches for his work ethic and poise.
3 - Killerbees
That's ridiculous that Thornton would propose a team wide contest, it's quite obvious on the court there is already a contest going on, see who can pass the ball to Jimmer the least. It's one thing to hit contested 3's but if Jimmer's team mates pass to Jimmer when he is wide open screaming for the ball, he'll shoot 60% all season and lead the Kings in scoring and make a run for the top 3 pt shooter in the NBA. Just look at his numbers at the Combine and training Camps. The guy can shoot better than anyone in the league, such a sweet stroke. Jimmer is the future of the Kings, unless he gets traded and it appears that may be the best thing for him as the Kings and his leadersip appear to be what's standing in the way from him being a star in his rookie campaign. Please, let Jimmer be Jimmer, he has proven his worth in the past 5 games he has played in, if he plays 35 minutes a game, he will lead the Kings in scoring and the Kings will win games. I am sick of hearing he has struggled, take a good look at what he has accomplished in limited minutes on one of the worst teams in the league.
4 - BBalljunkie
Jimmer will be Jimmer. He will work harder than anyone else on the team and be grateful for the time he gets on the court. Over time he will work himself into a starting slot and the team will respect him much the way Stockton became a fixture on the Jazz. (Jimmer has more scoring potential.) Give them several solid seasons and they will learn to trust/value each other's skills then be able to compete with the leagues best.
5 - CLD
I've watched every minute of every Kings game this season. To say Jimmer has NOT been isoloated and ignored, would be false. John Salmons is the worst, and I have the "tapes" to prove it. He looks the other way when Jimmer is in the game.
6 - dlounsbury
I too have seen every minute of every game and Jimmer definitely gets isolated which is why he plays best on offense when Isiah Thomas is in. However, that usually puts him on defense against a taller shooting guard. When Coach Smart said last week that he is "trying to put Jimmer in situations he can succeed." I initially interpreted to mean situations where Jimmer isn't getting schooled. Now I think he was saying he needs to have him in the game when his team mates will pass to him.
7 - Gstev
Both Jimmer's high school coach and college coach figured out when you put the ball in his hand from the start lots of good things happen. Yes the competition is another challenge he's up against but by leaving this guy on the bench is crazy. Forget the physical side of the game this guy has proven to many it doesn't take him long to figure out what needs to happen with the ball when it starts in his hand. This guy has a burning desire to win and the smarts to adjust quickly. I'd give him his fair share of playing time and make sure when he's open the ball is in his hand for the shot. Never been a loser in the 10plus yrs i've watched him. Let him play through his mistakes and the confidence will grow and trust me the wins will come. Givem the green light to lead and he will produce more points passing/shooting than he gives up.
8 - JoeCoug
As a HUGE BYU/Jimmer fan, I'd like to see him implement more sound bball 101 mechanics. Though I haven't seen that many games of his, the ones I do show him not even trying to block out when he's near the bucket. I think that's a carry-over from BYU when he shot, shot, shot, but he's on a different level and those little things will translate. I wish him nothing but the best, and feel like he's going to do very well.
9 - Quanter
Jimmer sticks out like a sore thumb. Everything about him from his skin color to his mannerisms are completely different from the other kings. It would be very hard for them to not treat him differently even if they wanted to.
10 - mgrealdeals
REALLY ? Is it possible to have such an IDIOTIC coaching move go by without pissing off real fans? ..not to mention reporters...You cant get much hotter than Fredette was that night in the 4th quarter . Besides his 13 points and %83 shooting-- he had 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals all in the fourth quarter. He was dominating on both end of the court and in a tremendous rhythm..and with the game on the line Coach DUMBass takes him out AGAIN ! Are you kidding me !!!?
That was outrageous.. and do NOT give me the excuse "he put in his best defensive team" ..Fredette was not only scorching the net he was playing great defense and anticipating like a 10 year ALL STAR veteran. HE WAS PLAYING BETTER DEFENSE THAN ANYBODY.
The fact is this Coach and a few of the players resent Fredette and all the hype he has received coming in. They dont understand or care, that the kid earned that attention by putting on Freakish scoring displays against the best teams in the country night after night in the NCAA. They have tried to freeze him out and have done a pretty good job and whenever Fredette gets on a roll Coach 'smart" is sure to sit him down.
It is hilarious to me that more people dont see how blatantly unfairly he is being treated.It is CREEPY. It is clear to ANY real basketball mind that Fredette, when it comes to ability, basketball IQ and team generalship is simply the best all around player on this team. The fact that he doesnt play 35 to 40 minutes a game is a testament to just how stupid or biased.. his coach is...
This kid has shot 60% from beyond the arc his last 6 games, makes Nash-like passes, averages close to a steal per game and he only gets to play a quarter and a half...or sometimes not at all!
Get rid of 'smart" now . Get Isiah and Jimmer and Chuck Hayes and anyone else who wants to play team ball on the court..
11 - yeahboy
Karl Malone on Jimmer.
"Jimmer Fredette, are you kidding me? I'm a fan. But anyway, a kid like that? I know he probably went early, but how do you not try to get a kid like that?...
"What I think they said was, 'He don't play defense.' I know you want to play defense...but [expletive], if I shoot like that, you play defense.
12 - RL
Watched most Kings games and agree with comments on players isolating Fredette when he does get in.The coach needs to go and paying fans should get their money back. Ferdette is their best and the future. It's a bad situation, Ferdette deserves better.
13 - Coach
Saw Kings game tonight. No one could score but the so.called coach kept Ferdette on the bench.What's with that? Just about given up watching the Kings and that sorry situation.
14 - Lin
Kings need to get rid of setting up plays for this guy and that guy. Put the ball in Fredette's hands, let him come off high screens and you will see him create whether it's enough of an opening to shoot or drive to the hoop and dish. Guarantee you will see more team ball and less 1on1. He was drafted and being paid for that reason. What's going on in New York right now could happen in Sacramento but it's all up to the coach