LAS VEGAS - For those who want to pass blame for Jimmer Fredette's up-and-down play as a rookie and to start summer league on coaches, teammates and other conspiracies, you might want to read what Fredette said after Monday's summer league game.
"My mindset I wasn't being myself," Fredette said. "I wasn't being as aggressive as I should have been, passed up some shots and everything just trying to fit in."
Fredette's job isn't to fit in. He needs to shoot. He needs to look for his offense.
Fredette did that in scoring 30 points in the Kings loss to the Houston Rockets.
Fredette playing in the summer league like BYU Jimmer (as I like to call him after games like today's) came after the news the Kings would be signing free agent point guard Aaron Brooks.
Brooks happens to play Fredette's position and threatens to keep Fredette buried on the bench.
"I didn't even know until barely before the game," Fredette said of Brooks news. "That had nothing to do with it."
The fact is for Fredette to be successful, the Kings had to add another ballhandler. Asking Fredette to be a pure point guard is not going to allow him to be himself - a scorer.
Teams will continue to pressure Fredette as he brings the ball up the court, wearing him down and stunting the Kings on offense.
Having more ballhandlers will free up Fredette. Also, the Kings believe Brooks can also play off the ball, giving the team some more versatility.
When asked again about what Brooks meant to his future, Fredette was diplomatic.
"It is what it is," Fredette said. "You just go out there and play. Aaron is a real explosive, a guy that can really put the ball in the basket as well. It's going to help our team out. It's all about trying to get the team better and I'm going to go out and try to get as many minutes as I can and try to help the team any way I can. It's whatever's best for the team."
Fredette has two more summer league games to be BYU Jimmer.
It's a message reinforced to him Monday by head coach Keith Smart.
"When you're on the floor just be you," Fredette said Smart told him. "Go be aggressive. That's why we have you, to score the basketball. That's why you're here. That's what makes you most effective when you get out on the floor."
Because if Fredette is passive it doesn't matter who the Kings add, he won't play much.
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