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SALT LAKE CITY — From sea to shining sea!
That’s not where brotherhood crowned your good, but where Jimmermania still dwells.
When Jeremiah Jensen and I were at the 2014 NBA draft in New York, we found a Cavaliers fan who was less interested in talking about their impending No. 1 draft pick and more interested in talking about Jimmer Fredette and how to find him some playing time.
Jimmer’s NBA frustrations are well-known; two-and-a- half frustrating years in Sacramento that were one-upped by his eight games played in Chicago. For 22 games in a Bulls uniform, Jimmer’s stat line read DNP- CD — Did Not Play — Coach’s Decision.
I've been able to produce when I can get out on the floor, but I just haven't been able to get out there a ton.
–Jimmer Fredette
Well, Jimmer’s chance is up and it might be his last — at least in the NBA.
Tuesday is the beginning of free agency, and Jimmer is an unrestricted free agent. He can sign with any team he likes, given there’s mutual interest.
“It’s going to be a crazy couple of weeks. I honestly don’t know where I’m going to be ending up,” Jimmer told our NBC affiliate WNYT in Albany, New York. “My focus this year is to find a team where I can play the most, wherever that is, I need to find a coach that is able to believe in me and wants me to be on the floor, and it doesn’t matter where it is.”
Despite his measly 10-minutes-per-game, Jimmer was blistering from the floor. He shot an eye-popping 47.6 percent of 3-pointers, 47.1 percent of twos, and 90.5 percent from the line.
“I’ve been able to produce when I can get out on the floor, but I just haven’t been able to get out there a ton,” said Jimmer.
He may have lost his playing time, but not his confidence.
“I’ve never doubted my abilities and I still don’t,” said Fredette. “That’s the biggest thing in the NBA. You can’t doubt yourself. I know that I’ve put in the time to be a great player. … Since I’ve been able to do that, I know that when I get out there, I deserve to play well. … I still believe in myself and I’m ready for the opportunity.”
Jimmer will likely get another NBA shot, but if it doesn’t pan out, that third strike will force a call out to Europe.
