Jimmer Fredette Could Have Big Role With New Orleans Pelicans

By Bryan Rose | Oct 20, 2014

Oct 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jimmer Fredette (32) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Michael Jenkins (6) during the second half of a preseason game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 120-86. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette could have a big role with the New Orleans Pelicans if he can step up his defense.

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When the Sacramento Kings drafted Jimmer Fredette under their previous ownership group, it wasn’t so much for his basketball skill but rather his marketing ability. The Maloof brothers paraded Fredette around while his coaches kept him stapled to the bench.

It was an unfortunate experience for the former college star who eventually found himself traded to the Chicago Bulls where he again sat on the bench.

Now he’s hoping for a new beginning with the New Orleans Pelicans and head coach Monty Williams believes he can thrive in a role like some of the talented shooters the organization has employed during the past few seasons.

“So is he going to be Michael Cooper? No, it’s not going to happen. But we’ve had guys like (Anthony) Morrow and Marco Belinelli who became good team defenders just by fighting and knowing the system.”

For Jimmer to see extended floor time, he’s going to need to defend though Williams believes with talent like Anthony Davis and Omer Asik protecting the paint, Fredette will only need to guard his player for a couple steps thanks to the help defense.

“Being able to guard the ball for at least one or two dribbles is a tough thing for guys like Jimmer,” Williams said. “We don’t want our bigs to have to help you all the time. I guess a football analogy is if your free safety is leading your team in tackles it’s not a good defense.”

There’s never been any denying Jimmer Fredette’s ability to shoot and given the lack of such on the New Orleans Pelicans roster, there is a prime opportunity for the former BYU star to carve out a niche on the roster.

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