NBA

Is Jimmer Fredette the next NBA all-star? The Sacramento Kings took Fredette in the first round with their tenth pick overall in hopes of not only putting fans in the seats, but expanding their team’s talent to another level. After one of the most notable collegiate season, not only in BYU’s history but comparable to all of NCAA ball, Fredette truly made a name for himself as a player and a leader. Some people are already labeling Fredette as a star, comparing him to JJ Barea and JJ Redick. Do his talents really compare to those on a professional level? I think not! How can you compare him to JJ Barea? In my opinion there is no comparison. Fredette’s outstanding basketball play was in the NCAA not the NBA. He was in for a rude awakening at 6’ 2”. Who exactly is he going to guard? The comparison to Redick is not sound either. Redick playing on a struggling Orlando team is no one to be compared with when debating about a stardom level. Redick plays a flex position without a supporting cast a star would need in the first place. Barea is a champion and an outstanding player whose skills have acquired over time still not amounting to but maybe the fourth or at best fifth best player on the Mavericks team. Barea has a lot of skill, one that very, very few players at his height can pull off…Fredette not being one of them. In my opinion, Fredette should fee grateful to have been taken that early in the draft and was probably primarily considered to fill seats in a struggling NBA town, who almost lost their franchise at the end of this last season. 

The NBA draft kicked off last night to what was probably one of the worst drafts in a very long time. However, there were great outlooks for the University of Texas having had three former members taken in the first round, Tristan Thompson, the power forward from Texas having gone in the top five, going to the Cleveland Cavaliers who also had the overall number one pick. Kyle Irving, point guard from Duke, will hopefully provide the longing stardom left behind by LeBron James to the Cavs. The Timberwolves selected Derrick Williams, a power forward from Arizona, as the number two pick to add on big man play with Kevin Love. The Lakers first pick was Darius Mooris, point guard from Michigan, who might not have an immediate impact in the game, but should learn plenty backing up Derek Fisher. With Mike Brown being new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, hopefully the exit of Phil Jackson will make its place in the history books for past championship and ones soon to come. Either way, we are looking at a new Lakers team with familiar faces in the upcoming season.