http://mweb.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/25441167/far-from-jimmer-mania-fredette-tries-to-find-his-way-back-to-the-nba

Far from Jimmer Mania, Fredette tries to find his way back to the NBA

Ken Berger / NBA Insider
January 07, 2016 03:45 PM
SANTA CRUZ, California -- The only sign of Jimmer Mania was the line of reporters waiting for him after the game. Three writers and then a radio host, all wanting to find out what it's like to be Jimmer Fredette these days.

To have been Jimmer Fredette in 2010-11 must have been amazing -- consensus college player of the year for BYU, fairy-tale shot-maker, pop-culture icon and YouTube sensation. Before Stephen Curry made it ordinary to make 3-pointers in triple-coverage five feet beyond the arc, Fredette was doing it regularly at BYU. If it happened to you, it meant you'd been Jimmered.

As for what it's like to be Jimmer Fredette today -- after unfulfilling stints in Sacramento, Chicago and New Orleans and a brief run with San Antonio in preseason -- it seems to me he's still trying to figure that out.

"It doesn’t matter what your past is, you’re always going to have a fresh slate when you get to the NBA," Fredette said after his Westchester Knicks lost to the Texas Legends 105-103 on Wednesday in the D-League Showcase. "It doesn’t matter who you were before, it’s going to be a different type of game and you’ve got to prove yourself over and over again."

This is the existential struggle in which Fredette finds himself. He still is who he was before, though not in a basketball sense.

He was drafted way too high in 2011, going 10th overall to the Kings in a three-team trade that might have presented him with the worst possible start to his NBA career -- with lottery standing to live up to in as chaotic an environment as there is in the league. The Kings have been to four more lotteries and have fired four coaches since then. Fredette is looking for his fourth NBA team.

Why too high, you ask? The proof is public record. Whether it has been lack of opportunity or belief from his coaches, not enough playing time or not enough shots, the fundamental truth is that Fredette is an undersized shooting guard with one NBA skill: shooting. There simply aren't many players in that predicament who stick around for even as long as Fredette has.

“He has skills, but he’s a high-volume guy," one Eastern Conference executive said. "What team is going to be able to give him the kind of volume he needs to be effective? Because if he’s not getting the volume of shots he needs to score enough to help you, what else is he doing?"

Fredette, now 26 years old but still only 6-foot-2 at best, is still trying to prove the disbelievers wrong. He's dutifully toiling with Westchester of the D-League, the affiliate that shares a practice facility with the Knicks about three hours south of where Fredette grew up in Glens Falls, New York. Here he was on the floor in the D-League Showcase on Wednesday -- the best player on the floor, I might add. He scored 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting with seven assists and three steals, and his game-winning 3-point attempt at the buzzer went halfway down and rimmed out.

"It was in fully and then, it just popped out," Fredette said. "One of those things that wasn't meant to be. Wasn't meant to be."

This was a far cry from Jimmer Mania, in the makeshift Kaiser Permanente Arena, which is really just a basketball court with a bubble over it. In the D-League, you carry your own bags and fly commercial. You get dressed in a makeshift locker room that looks more like a temporary trailer, the chilly El Nino winds whistling in through a nearby open door. There were maybe 200 people in the stands, many of them scouts and executives from the NBA who are looking for a serviceable player worthy of a 10-day contract, and at some point, maybe more.

"If I have an open shot, they want to see me make it," Fredette said. "You want to be aggressive, get others involved, make the right basketball play, but they obviously want to see me knock down shots. I think that’s what’s going to keep me in the NBA."

Based on the discerning eyes and harsh opinions of the assembled talent evaluators, it's going to be an uphill climb. One exec suggested that the best course for Fredette would be to play in Europe, make decent money and enjoy playing the game and being a star there. Another wondered where he'd find the open shots he needs to be productive in the NBA, where defensive coaches are paid handsomely to prevent them from happening.

“He’s a 6-2 shooting guard, a system guy -- and all the system teams pretty much have tried him already," one of the execs said. "It’s tough. It has to be a very unique situation. I never say never about anybody -- maybe someone will give him a shot and he’ll turn into gold -- but I just don’t see it.”

Here in the quaint seaside town of Santa Cruz, Fredette is undeterred. He fancies himself as "a Jason Terry-type guy who can come off the bench and really be able to score the basketball -- shoot it, get some others involved and be able to be a consistent guy on a nightly basis."

In Chicago, sources say, then-coach Tom Thibodeau pushed hard for the Bulls to sign him in 2014 after he was bought out by the Kings -- then, hardly played him because of his defensive limitations. In New Orleans last season, Fredette found his way into 50 games, but only got off one 3-point attempt per game, shooting 19 percent (9-for-48).

"I think the biggest thing for me is a coach that believes in me, wants me to play and believes in my skills," Fredette said. "... People are always looking for scorers and shooters, and it doesn’t matter what system you’re running. It’s more about the coach having that confidence in me to put me in the game and let me go out there and play consistent minutes."

But for those evaluating him and for Fredette himself, there's still the matter of separating who he is now as a basketball player from who he was at BYU.

"The things I’ve done in the past, I’m proud of and I’m grateful that I had that opportunity to have a great college career and have a great senior year and have fun," Fredette said. "It’s something I’ll remember forever. But at the same time, I want to continue to further my career and take some of the things I learned my senior year and apply them to me as a basketball player. That was me playing basketball, so I’ve got to be able to be me when I’m out on the floor."

That was Fredette in 2010-11, and this is Fredette now. Despite his predicament, there's a certain charm and satisfaction that comes with being able to lead a team again, get the shots he wants, make them and move onto the next game.

"Whether you’re playing in the D-League, the NBA, Europe, wherever it is, you’re not going to be able to play forever, so enjoy every moment," he said. "I’ve been very blessed to be able to play this game and I try to savor it as much as I can. But the goal, obviously, is to be able to hopefully get back to the league."

It's a long way from here to there, and there are no straight paths or shortcuts. Emerging from the locker room on Wednesday with a bag over his shoulder and a few interviews in front of him, Fredette seemed to be embracing his new reality.

"A showcase like this just reminds me of AAU back in high school," he said. "You have 20 minutes to get warmed up and you go out there and play. That’s the way it is. ... It brings you back to your old days, just playing basketball and having fun. It’s a little bit different, but once you get out on the floor, everything’s the same."

Well, not everything. The truth is, things may never been quite the same for Jimmer Fredette.

nixluva wrote:I agree that it's odd that they didn't mention that the team he plays for runs the Triangle similar to the Knicks and as such it's a system made for COMBO guards more so than pure PG's. I see Jimmer as someone who can be an effective catch and shoot player, push the ball and look for early offense. Make simple passes to open or cutting teammates. This isn't a role that requires a John Stockton or Jason Kidd. It should relieve Jimmer of a lot of that kind of responsibility. From what i've seen Jimmer looks like he's more than capable of playing Guard in the Triangle at the NBA level. It could be that Phil is still holding out to see if there is an even better player that shakes loose.

Yeah, and like we've all seen - Jose is playing pretty well right now, the nine man rotation is working pretty well right now. Maybe the team needs a boost in a few weeks and you try Jimmer on a 10-day. We'll see...

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:I agree that it's odd that they didn't mention that the team he plays for runs the Triangle similar to the Knicks and as such it's a system made for COMBO guards more so than pure PG's. I see Jimmer as someone who can be an effective catch and shoot player, push the ball and look for early offense. Make simple passes to open or cutting teammates. This isn't a role that requires a John Stockton or Jason Kidd. It should relieve Jimmer of a lot of that kind of responsibility. From what i've seen Jimmer looks like he's more than capable of playing Guard in the Triangle at the NBA level. It could be that Phil is still holding out to see if there is an even better player that shakes loose.

I think he will have difficulty getting his shot off in the NBA in anything but a wide-open catch and shoot opportunity.

Why????? A well run offense usually requires guys to set picks to allow a shooter the necessary space to launch. The Knicks do need to improve in that department, but I see no reason why a shooter like the Fredette I saw in college can't be effective

nixluva wrote:

Knicks1969 wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:I agree that it's odd that they didn't mention that the team he plays for runs the Triangle similar to the Knicks and as such it's a system made for COMBO guards more so than pure PG's. I see Jimmer as someone who can be an effective catch and shoot player, push the ball and look for early offense. Make simple passes to open or cutting teammates. This isn't a role that requires a John Stockton or Jason Kidd. It should relieve Jimmer of a lot of that kind of responsibility. From what i've seen Jimmer looks like he's more than capable of playing Guard in the Triangle at the NBA level. It could be that Phil is still holding out to see if there is an even better player that shakes loose.

I think he will have difficulty getting his shot off in the NBA in anything but a wide-open catch and shoot opportunity.

Why????? A well run offense usually requires guys to set picks to allow a shooter the necessary space to launch. The Knicks do need to improve in that department, but I see no reason why a shooter like the Fredette I saw in college can't be effective

I think people tend to forget how many wide open looks our guards get and pass up. How many times has Jerian been wide open and refused to take the shot? It's not about individual shot creation in the Triangle. It's a motion offense and as such they get open without having to always break down their defender off the dribble.

Another thing is that Jimmer is REALLY good at getting his shot off against any defender!!! I think people don't realize that he is skilled enough to create just enough space to get his shot off.

Bit of a mixed message to show highlight reels from a league he hasn't been very good in.

Hard to believe that Fisher and Phil would allow Jimmer the freedom to shoot himself into the kind of scoring rhythm he had in college or in the DL.

The writer had the cookie-cutter story ("former high draft pick toiling in minors") already written and just put Fredette's name/team in the appropriate places.

No original thinking (like duh, the Knicks run the Triangle System???) at all.

Just a hack trying to make a living . . .

nixluva wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:

Knicks1969 wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:I agree that it's odd that they didn't mention that the team he plays for runs the Triangle similar to the Knicks and as such it's a system made for COMBO guards more so than pure PG's. I see Jimmer as someone who can be an effective catch and shoot player, push the ball and look for early offense. Make simple passes to open or cutting teammates. This isn't a role that requires a John Stockton or Jason Kidd. It should relieve Jimmer of a lot of that kind of responsibility. From what i've seen Jimmer looks like he's more than capable of playing Guard in the Triangle at the NBA level. It could be that Phil is still holding out to see if there is an even better player that shakes loose.

I think he will have difficulty getting his shot off in the NBA in anything but a wide-open catch and shoot opportunity.

Why????? A well run offense usually requires guys to set picks to allow a shooter the necessary space to launch. The Knicks do need to improve in that department, but I see no reason why a shooter like the Fredette I saw in college can't be effective

I think people tend to forget how many wide open looks our guards get and pass up. How many times has Jerian been wide open and refused to take the shot? It's not about individual shot creation in the Triangle. It's a motion offense and as such they get open without having to always break down their defender off the dribble.

Another thing is that Jimmer is REALLY good at getting his shot off against any defender!!! I think people don't realize that he is skilled enough to create just enough space to get his shot off.

Bit of a mixed message to show highlight reels from a league he hasn't been very good in.

Yeah but his overall lack of success doesn't have to be due to his inability to get his shot off, which clearly he has the ability to do.

When one says he'd have difficulty getting his shot off, doesn't mean it's impossible. Of course he has and would occasionlly, and make some too. I just don't think he'd be good at it, as his career suggests.

I don't know that his career has proved he can't get his shot off. It's also important how a players is used and in what system he plays in. Jimmer isn't the smallest or slowest guard to ever try to make it in the NBA. I don't think Jimmer ever really had a good shot to show what he can do offensively. There are LOT of reasons for that not having to do with his shooting. Defense is one and his ability to run a team could be the other. I see no real evidence that it had to do with his not being able to get his shot off. I see a guy that wasn't getting a lot of minutes. Maybe his role wasn't right for him.

Season	Age Tm  Pos  G  GS MP   FGA  FG%  3PA  3P%  2PA  2P%  eFG%  FT  FTA  FT%  TRB  AST  STL  BLK  TOV  PF  PTS
2013-14	24  TOT SG   49 0  10.6 4.6  .471 1.7  .476 2.9  .469 .559  0.4 0.4  .905 1.1  1.3  0.3  0.1  1.0  0.7 5.6
2014-15	25  NOP PG   50 0  10.2 3.3  .380 1.0  .188 2.4  .458 .407  0.9 0.9  .956 0.8  1.2  0.3  0.0  0.7  0.9 3.6 

IMO Jimmer has looked really comfortable playing for the W Knicks. I am very curious to see how he would handle a role with the big team.

At the moment his role with be guy wearing suit.

He isn't leapfrogging Galloway and Grant into PT.

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:

Knicks1969 wrote:

Knickoftime wrote:

nixluva wrote:I agree that it's odd that they didn't mention that the team he plays for runs the Triangle similar to the Knicks and as such it's a system made for COMBO guards more so than pure PG's. I see Jimmer as someone who can be an effective catch and shoot player, push the ball and look for early offense. Make simple passes to open or cutting teammates. This isn't a role that requires a John Stockton or Jason Kidd. It should relieve Jimmer of a lot of that kind of responsibility. From what i've seen Jimmer looks like he's more than capable of playing Guard in the Triangle at the NBA level. It could be that Phil is still holding out to see if there is an even better player that shakes loose.

I think he will have difficulty getting his shot off in the NBA in anything but a wide-open catch and shoot opportunity.

Why????? A well run offense usually requires guys to set picks to allow a shooter the necessary space to launch. The Knicks do need to improve in that department, but I see no reason why a shooter like the Fredette I saw in college can't be effective

I think people tend to forget how many wide open looks our guards get and pass up. How many times has Jerian been wide open and refused to take the shot? It's not about individual shot creation in the Triangle. It's a motion offense and as such they get open without having to always break down their defender off the dribble.

Another thing is that Jimmer is REALLY good at getting his shot off against any defender!!! I think people don't realize that he is skilled enough to create just enough space to get his shot off.

Bit of a mixed message to show highlight reels from a league he hasn't been very good in.

Yeah but his overall lack of success doesn't have to be due to his inability to get his shot off, which clearly he has the ability to do.

When one says he'd have difficulty getting his shot off, doesn't mean it's impossible. Of course he has and would occasionlly, and make some too. I just don't think he'd be good at it, as his career suggests.

I don't know that his career has proved he can't get his shot off. It's also important how a players is used and in what system he plays in. Jimmer isn't the smallest or slowest guard to ever try to make it in the NBA. I don't think Jimmer ever really had a good shot to show what he can do offensively. There are LOT of reasons for that not having to do with his shooting. Defense is one and his ability to run a team could be the other. I see no real evidence that it had to do with his not being able to get his shot off. I see a guy that wasn't getting a lot of minutes. Maybe his role wasn't right for him.

Season	Age Tm  Pos  G  GS MP   FGA  FG%  3PA  3P%  2PA  2P%  eFG%  FT  FTA  FT%  TRB  AST  STL  BLK  TOV  PF  PTS
2013-14	24  TOT SG   49 0  10.6 4.6  .471 1.7  .476 2.9  .469 .559  0.4 0.4  .905 1.1  1.3  0.3  0.1  1.0  0.7 5.6
2014-15	25  NOP PG   50 0  10.2 3.3  .380 1.0  .188 2.4  .458 .407  0.9 0.9  .956 0.8  1.2  0.3  0.0  0.7  0.9 3.6 

IMO Jimmer has looked really comfortable playing for the W Knicks. I am very curious to see how he would handle a role with the big team.

At the moment his role with be guy wearing suit.

He isn't leapfrogging Galloway and Grant into PT.

TAB wrote:https://vine.co/v/ihMLVWhWTU1

That is a nice move and finish. A lot of pro players can't do that.

Yeah, I know people say he only has one NBA skill - but his ball handling skills have seemed pretty good to me in any d-league footage I've seen this year.