Jimmer needs to look Down Under for role model


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SALT LAKE CITY — Four seasons into his NBA career Jimmer Fredette has yet to make a sustained impact and may need to reinvent himself to play a fifth year.

Instead of being known as a shooter with limited capability to do anything else, Fredette has to become an all-out hustler focusing on a less glamorous role. In short order, he needs to turn into a Matthew Dellavedova clone.

Dellavedova has fought his way – in some cases literally – into becoming a significant role player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have reached the NBA Finals. The scrappy guard has become a fan favorite for the Cavs, whose fans cheer loudly each time he enters the game.

He’s got into scuffles with opponents — two of his skirmishes have resulted in the opposing player getting ejected — in three playoff games this season. Gaining a reputation as a dirty player, Dellavedova is at the least an agitator.

“This is what Matthew Dellavedova’s new career is, it’s making you not be the person you want to be,” said Jacob Noble, editor for @hoopscritic and founder of TheProBasketballTalk podcasts.

Fredette, meanwhile, languishes on the bench. The former megastar at BYU has been a disappointment in the NBA, first with the Sacramento Kings before going on to the Chicago Bulls and most recently with the New Orleans Pelicans.


Jimmer relies on scoring. Matthew Dellavedova never made his career as a three-point specialist or a scorer. He's made his career as being gritty, doing the dirty work and basically never giving up on any play ever. You watch Jimmer play, if his shooting is not falling what else is Jimmer going to really do for you. He's not really doing much else.

–Jacob Noble


While one battles to survive in the league, the less-heralded other is in line for a substantial pay raise and a potential NBA championship. Hard to believe, based on their credentials coming out of college.

Fredette was all-world for the Cougars, winning the John Wooden Award as the game’s best player and capturing the nation’s fancy in the process by averaging 28.5 points a game. He lifted BYU to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 30 years, and if not for the suspension of Brandon Davies, Fredette would have carried his team to the Final Four.

Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 10th pick in the first round in 2011, Fredette was traded to Sacramento. His legions of Utah-based supporters love to point to the mess that is the Kings organization, but the same excuse can’t be applied to the Bulls and Pelicans.

Fredette had a few moments with New Orleans, scoring in double figures in four games. But he went scoreless in the team’s last 16 games and did not register one minute of playing time in any of the four playoff games.

Dellavedova wasn’t even drafted coming out of Saint Mary’s two years. Nor was he the player of the year in the West Coast Conference. That honor went to Gonzaga’s Kelly Olynyk.

Through sheer determination, the Australian found his niche.

At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Dellavedova has two inches and 10 pounds on Fredette. Apparently, he also has something else.

“Jimmer relies on scoring,” Noble said. “Matthew Dellavedova never made his career as a three-point specialist or a scorer. He’s made his career as being gritty, doing the dirty work and basically never giving up on any play ever. You watch Jimmer play, if his shooting is not falling what else is Jimmer going to really do for you. He’s not really doing much else.”

This is where the new Fredette needs to come in, sort of a Dellavedova light. At this point he’s got nothing to lose.

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