New Orleans Pelicans tell Jimmer Fredette to score, be himself
By Bryan Rose
Might we see a return of Jimmer Time? That’s what the New Orleans Pelicans are hoping for after Jimmer Fredette joined the organization this summer.
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A former NCAA Player of the Year, Fredette was drafted by the Sacramento Kings though was used by the Maloof family as more of a marketing tool than anything else. Jimmer Fredette struggled to get off the Sacramento bench and when he did, he was quickly yanked off the floor due to his defensive issues.
Fredette wasted away in the California capital for a few seasons before he was eventually traded to the Chicago Bulls during last February’s deadline. Of course, the defensive-minded Bulls weren’t happy with Fredette either and his playing time was sporadic and limited in the Windy City.
Now in the Big Easy, the New Orleans Pelicans told Jimmer Fredette to simply be himself and score.
Jimmer says, regarding his role, the team just asked him to be himself and score
— Bourbon Street Shots (@BourbonStShots) September 11, 2014
Jimmer’s lack of height and quickness (two things that weren’t of concern at BYU) have shown through at the NBA level though the former Cougar has worked hard on his all-around game. He’ll never been thought of as a floor general, though Fredette has become a solid passer and could carve out a role with the Pelicans this season.
One thing is for sure – put the ball in Jimmer Fredette’s hands and he’s going to score the rock. How efficiently he’ll be able to do so at the NBA level is still up for debate, but we might get a chance to witness such this season.