I don't think anyone would accuse me of being negative on Fredette. I was a huge fan. But, I'll admit that the Jimmermania does get old at times. And as stated, Jimmer had nothing to do with it, other than fuel it with his play on the court. He was a great college player, and it ends there! Now he has to prove all over again that he has what it takes to succeed in the NBA. All the Jimmer hype started before his college season even started last year. 20 thousand plus fans would show up at the BYU games holding up signs praising Jimmer in some fashion. Every opposing teams defense was geared to doing one thing, stopping Fredette from scoring.
To Fredette's credit, he rose to the challenge, and for the most part, exceeded expectations. No mean feat, when you consider the weight of those expectations. But all that aside, anyone that reads what I write, knows that I'm a skills guy. I place a lot of value on the skill level of a player, or lack there of. If Jimmer were merely just a pure shooter, I wouldn't have ranked him as high as I did. It was the fact that he was also a very good ballhandler, and passer. It was the leadership he displayed on the court. The way he reacted to the pressure with the game on the line. To being double teamed, sometimes triple teamed, and still finding a way to get the job done.
I think he'll be a good addition to the team, and probably be used in a similar way to how Beno was used. Coming off the bench as the third guard. But Thornton is my starting SG along side Tyreke as the PG. At least thats the way I expect the season to start. What happens from there is all up to Jimmer and how he responds to the challenge of playing in the NBA. I personally think he'll be just fine. But I've been wrong before.
As for Cousins, I think everyone knows my thoughts on that subject. And judging from the positive response the day after he was drafted, I think the majority of fans on this fourm were pleased with the pick. But I would like to point out to whom it may concern, that simply because you really like a player that was drafted, it doesn't exclude that player from future criticism. I love Jimmer, but it won't stop me from criticizing him if he makes bonehead plays. And because I criticize him, it doesn't mean that I no longer like him.
