Jimmer Fredette Watch: Game One Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings
By Adam Maynes
Jimmer Fredette made his anticipated debut with the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night at the Sacramento Kings. Here’s what we saw from his first outing.
When the Phoenix Suns signed Jimmer Fredette to a “two-year” deal last week (two-year is in air-quotes because the first year is only the remaining ten games of this season and the second year is a team option), fans immediately thought of high-scoring, outside shooting lineups with Jimmer firing away next to Devin Booker.
In a way, that’s exactly what fans got in Jimmer’s first appearance in a Suns uniform on Saturday night.
In a way it wasn’t, though, as he only played four second quarter minutes – without Booker.
Jimmer Fredette averaged over 36 points this past season in China in 2018-19, a scoring average that makes most fan’s mouths water at the idea of that kind of offensive explosion on their team in the NBA.
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The problem is that Jimmer was playing against far inferior talent overseas than he is and will be in the NBA, equating to the kind of scoring averages that an NBA player might have in a pickup game of the best non-pros in the United States.
Let’s put it this way: if Jimmer Fredette can average 36-37 points per game in China, how many points do you think that Devin Booker would average there?
There is a dramatic disparity in talent between the two players, so one can very fairly make an argument that Booker would blow Jimmer’s numbers out of the water.
That said, Jimmer is a member of the Phoenix Suns now so fans don’t care about those kinds of comparisons, they just want to see him succeed.
In four minutes against the Kings, Jimmer attempted two shots, making one. The problem is that the shot he made – literally 12 seconds into the second quarter – was waved off as he was called for a charge coming off of a pick, turning the ball over.
The fact that it did not count, to many Suns fans, didn’t matter. Jimmer was brought in to shoot, and taking that first shot as quickly as he did (plus the fact that he made it), is exactly what fans want to see.
Grabbing two defensive rebounds in the interim, Fredette would attempt his first (of hopefully many) shot that counter, a 3-pointer, 3:25 into the second quarter, which his missed, the only official shot attempt he would take.
56 seconds later he was subbed out by Devin Booker, and Fredette was never brought back into the game.
Jimmer did bring the ball up court a few times, seemed to play well-enough within the offense, moving without the ball and camping himself out beyond the 3-point line, the place that everyone wants him to be.
However, it should be noted – and take it for what it’s worth, not a lot – while Jimmer is known for his high-octane offense, he is also known for his lack of ability on defense, and in those four minutes, finished with a -7 in +/-.
The short-stint was somewhat expected as it was his first game and he has not had much time to become acquainted with the offense and the rest of the team.
Hopefully though, as the season wraps up, he will see additional time and can make a positive impression, potentially making himself useful enough to be retained for next season.
In the meantime, we will continue to keep track of Jimmer over the now final eight games of the season, tracking his shots and statistics along the way.
Must Read. If fired from the Pelicans, the Phoenix Suns should hire Alvin Gentry as a Lead Assistant. light