Misc. Monday – 01-02-11 – More shimmer for the Jimmer
Last Monday evening, Dec. 26, I was so happy that 10 p.m. finally rolled around. As my wife played endlessly on her new iPad and my daughter finally crashed from the Christmas hustle over the weekend, daddy finally got some quiet time.
I curled up in my chair, pulled the handle to release the recliner faster than I ever had and leaned as far back as I could, just before toppling the chair backwards and landing on my hated cat. Finally, it was time to watch the much-anticipated NBA debut of "the Jimmer" - Sacramento Kings shooting guard Jimmer Fredette.
On Monday night, not only did the Kings take on Los Angeles Lakers, but they beat them. Kobe Bryant looked as old as ever, and the Kings looked young, athletic and had a ton of energy… and they had the Jimmer.
The game started, but Jimmer didn't. James Fredette, born in New York and nicknamed Jimmer by his mother, was last year's leading scorer in Division I men's college basketball and was named winner of the National Player of the Year, Wooden Award, Naismith Award, Adolph Rupp Trophy and the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Then, finally he entered the game.
When he entered the game against the Lakers Monday night, finally, all I could think about was how Jimmer was going to prove all the haters wrong. Best thing about Jimmer, it won't take him four or five years to prove all the naysayers wrong. He is going to do it in less than a season and here is why.
First off, he plays for the Kings. Which is a good place to start for Jimmer because they don't play defense. It is obvious that the Kings want to outscore their opponents. Good for Jimmer because he is a very small (6-foot-2/ 195lbs) NBA body and his defensive match ups as a 2-guard are going to be a disaster. The Kings don't seem to care, they'll just outscore them in mentality. So Jimmer is going to get the minutes he needs to develop in Sacramento. (Jimmer played 24:34 against the Lakers and 24:06 the following night against the Trailblazers)
Next, Jimmer is a born scorer. There is something missing in the NBA right now. Thanks to the likes of SportsCenter and video game developers, the NBA game is played above the rim or behind the three point line. Fortunately for the Kings, Jimmer is maybe the best mid-range jumper in the league already. Sure he can hit threes from the parking lot, but his mid-range shooting percentage will keep him in the league for a long run. See Jeff Hornacek, Steve Kerr, John Paxson and Chris Mullin.
There were a lot of critics that said Jimmer would not even be able to get his shot off in the NBA. I say averaging 16.5 ppg in the preseason and 8.0 ppg so far in two regular season games means that isn't going to be an issue. Back off haters. Jimmer supporters know his rebounding and defense are going to have holes, but his handles are tighter than Santa's sack and his shooting and leadership is prolific.
Finally, the Kings - they have something a brewing in Sac-town. Not only do they have the Jimmer, but also the young Demarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans add to a pretty nice group of young players. A group that I say, makes the playoffs in the West and a team that will get national attention.
In just one week, the Kings have sold more than 1,000 Jimmer Fredette jerseys. So many they had to hire more employees to help sew Fredette and his number 7 on blank jerseys. Face it; if you are one of the haters out there, Jimmer is going to be a tough, competitive NBA player for years to come. Get on the bandwagon now or you'll never hear the end of it from me.
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