MINNEAPOLIS - Jimmer Nation was in an uproar over Jimmer Fredette's six seconds of playing time in the season opener at Chicago.
Well Fredette played 15:06 in the Kings 92-80 loss, scoring six points with an assist. All of Fredette's points came in the second quarter when he and Marcus Thornton led a comeback to cut Minnesota's 18-point lead down to nine at halftime.
"You've just got to stay ready," Fredette said. "You never know when you're going to get your opportunity and just stay ready and go and play the way that you play.
Kings coach turned to Fredette after watching Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas shoot 2 for 10 in the first quarter and Aaron Brooks miss his first five shots.
"I thought that Jimmer did a good job," Smart said. "The kid didn't play the night before but he came in here mentally ready and stayed focused and into the basketball game and made the right plays for us. Managed the team a little bit, and got us into some offensive things."
Fredette has done all that's been asked of him to improve, but he's the third point guard behind Thomas and Brooks. So many nights his playing time could depend on one those players having an off night unless Smart decides to use small lineups.
Fredette said his mental preparation has to be on point in his situation.
"You have to stay ready mentally and believe you should be out there to help the team."
*DeMarcus Cousins had more fouls (five) than rebounds (four) against the Timberwolves. Chuck Hayes had 11 rebounds to lead the Kings. That's how many Cousins has in two games while slowed by foul trouble.
Four of the five Wolves starters and three of their reserves had more rebounds than Cousins.
*Marcus Thornton has 15 points in each of his games off the bench this season.
*Every player for the Kings that saw time committed at least one foul.
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