A Jimmerpause, please
I must have a case of Jimmerfatigue.
I see where Jimmer Fredette will be in Utah Sept. 21 and 22 for some exhibition games at the Maverik and Marriott centers starring you-know-who, plus a few of this year’s other NBA draft picks. It’s called “Jimmer’s All-Stars.”
That made me tired.
That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy his career. He was one of the great college players I have covered, and one of the nicest. I hope to be in Sacramento when the NBA season begins, writing about Fredette’s first game as an NBA player. And you can bank on me being around for his return to Utah when the Kings play in Salt Lake.
Watching Deron Williams, Karl Malone and John Stockton for years was eye-opening, sometimes inspiring. Same thing with Fredette in college. But an exhibition/barnstorming game? Not so much.
I’m ready to write about Fredette’s next step — the pros. There are sure to be some intriguing angles when the NBA season does resume. But watching his every move vaguely reminds me of when John Elway was starring for the Broncos. Denver newspapers actually chronicled what Halloween candy he gave to trick-or-treaters.
I don’t begrudge Fredette for trying to make some cash while he’s waiting for the lockout to end (though I’d worry about injuries). He deserves all the money he can make. I’d even like to get an update on what he’s thinking and planning since the lockout. It’s just that I don’t necessarily want to see this sort of scrimmage. It’s almost like watching a practice.
I guess I never was much of an exhibition season guy, and this is one step removed from that.