NBA Rumors: Jimmer Fredette Worth A Shot?
By Mike Garcia
There is speculation (found here) about Jimmer Fredette signing as a Laker player after his buy out is completed with the Sacramento Kings. Other teams, such as the Knicks, are interested, but the best fit for Jimmer is under Mike D’Antoni’s system.
Jan 27, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Jimmer Fredette (7) shoots during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmer Fredette is a shooting guard in a point guard body, similar to Kent Bazemore. Unlike Bazemore, Fredette compensates with basketball skills, not pure physical skills. Kent Bazemore has a tremendous 6’11” wingspan, a dynamite first step, and explosiveness off the dribble to the hoop. Fredette, on the other hand, has a pure shooter’s touch. Once he’s in the building, he’s in range to hit the shot. Whether it is in spot-up situations or off-the-dribble, it takes a glimmer (no pun intended) of daylight to get Fredette going offensively.
Sacramento tried Fredette as a point guard. As a playmaker, he’s average at best. Drive and kick situations as well as throwing the pocket pass in pick and roll situations are opportunities for him. He’s not the type to breakdown a defender with a change-of-direction dribble or lightning speed. Instead, he’ll opt to shoot over the defender with the given space he has and nail the shot.
While Steve Blake’s absence is a huge loss for the Laker team in terms of leadership and locker room presence, as well as great two-way play, the Lakers can continue to audition for players for upcoming seasons. Playing time opened for Steve Nash, Kendall Marshall, and Jordan Farmar in Steve Blake’s absence, but none of them could switched to the shooting guard position like Blake could. Fredette could handle that position easily.
The Lakers would have plenty of guards to rotate between Steve Nash, Kendall Marshall, Jordan Farmar, MarShon Brooks, Kent Bazemore, Nick Young, Jodie Meeks, and Jimmer Fredette, but only one of those players is truly a knock out shooter who is healthy enough to play every game. Marshall is a reluctant 3-point shooter. Farmar is streaky. Brooks and Bazemore like to attack the basket.
Mike D’Antoni will have plenty of opportunities to run small lineups, especially playing Young, Brooks, Meeks, and possibly Bazemore at the small forward position.
Stranger things have happened. It wouldn’t hurt to have a microwave shooter off the bench.