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Jimmer-mania in Phoenix?

Well, that would be the case according to the first mock draft produced by ESPN's Chad Ford.

The list, of course, doesn't factor in any changes that could happen with the draft lottery. However, the Suns are not likely to move up from their current spot(they have a 0.6 percent chance of winning the lottery), so odds are they'll be selecting 13th.

Steve Nash won't be around forever, and if the Suns want to continue to play their run-and-gun style, Fredette might be a great option. Like Nash, he is a dead-eye from long range and has a high basketball IQ.

He doesn't have the ballhandling skills or court vision of Nash yet ... but neither did Nash when he was drafted out of Santa Clara. Fredette's terrible defense raises concerns, but at least he's a fit on a team that has been willing to overlook Nash's weakness in that area for years.

Great.

There are a lot of concerns about Jimmer, though his ability to shoot isn't one of them. That said, some of the great college shooters have struggled to transition to the NBA (see Redick, J.J. and Morrison, Adam), as a lack of elite athletic ability makes it difficult to get the same looks they had in college.

Furthermore, while being a poor defender would seem to make him a good fit for the Suns, the logic that his problems there would be overlooked just as Nash's were is flawed. After all, does anyone think people would be OK with Nash being a sieve on defense if he wasn't so great on offense? Doubtful.

Will the Suns take the scoring machine from BYU on June 23rd? Nobody knows for sure. But if he's on the board when they are up it is possible they could look to him as Nash's replacement, albeit in a likely poor man's variety.

9 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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    westflame202 wrote...
    BYU grad
    May 5, 2011 1:43 pm
    I'm from the valley and recently graduated (April 2011) from BYU. I know first hand about Jimmer's weaknesses (defense mainly), but I also know the excitement that fills the building when he has the ball in his hands. I have really only felt the same way when Nash gets the ball. I'm not saying Jimmer has Nash skills right now, but his incredible range, quick trigger, and penetrating ability make him one of the most exciting players.
  • Abuse
    westflame202 wrote...
    Jimmer on Defense
    May 5, 2011 1:43 pm
    Regarding his defense: at BYU, he carried the offense in most games. His SG Jackson Emery was the play maker on the defense end, while Jimmer was the playmaker on offense. I think he is capable of playing solid defense if he is not playing 40 minutes a game and has better players on the floor who can score.
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    Jarrod P. wrote...
    Suns Need to be cautious
    May 7, 2011 9:38 am
    He is good, no doubt, but not ACC, Big east, Big 10 good. We need to shed the blinders a bit and realize he dominated the Mountain west--not the Big 10, the Big east, or the ACC. He is sound fundamentally- free throws, shot selection, and poor on defense- who cares about the defense. We have lived with Nash for years. I think he will be a solid NBA player, but we need to really examine what is available..
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    JW L. wrote...
    Lot of concerns about Jimmer
    May 7, 2011 1:02 pm
    ...my biggest concern is if the Suns draft him, he must be really lousy! When you look at the past few drafts, the Suns have a track record of choosing terrible picks. If Jimmer comes our way, he must be terrible. I hope he goes somewhere else because I like the kid and want him to do well in the NBA.
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    JaredtheVougarFan wrote...
    Jimmer the Sun
    May 7, 2011 5:58 pm
    He is a good fit for this system. He is more athletic than most people give him credit for. He did dominate the MWC. More so than Danny Granger ever did. He also dominated a lot of big boy programs. Just ask Sean Miller if Jimmer is legit. What makes Jimmer good is the relentless pressure he puts on Defenses through shooting, dribble penetration, and good passing. He really is a lot like Nash. There will never be another Steve Nash, just as CBB will not see another Jimmer. I hope the Suns take him. There is nothing better below him in that mock for sure........
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    coloradoson wrote...
    Good pick up
    May 7, 2011 7:07 pm
    He's a great pick simply because he can provide a spark of the bench. Given time he will get better at defense and make a transition to starter. He did nothing but get better throughout his college career, and has the drive to do it in the pros. Also, let's not put this "not from a big conference" label on him. The MWC sent just as many teams to the Sweet 16 this year as the Big East and Big 10, and a non-power conference team went to the title game...again.
    “People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
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    coloradoson wrote...
    "Power conference"
    May 7, 2011 7:11 pm
    Back to the topic of this "power conference" label. It's not like the Pac-12 is a power conference. Remember, BYU beat Arizona this season, and the Cats lost to the eventual national champs in a tight one. In fact, BYU beat the Cats fairly handily in in the last two season, with Jimmer putting up big numbers.
    “People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
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    Jarrod P. wrote...
    I disagree, but still like the jimmer
    May 8, 2011 1:03 pm
    You cant make that argument as to which conferences got which teams to the semis. The Big 10 sent almost the entire conference to the tournament... Bottom line- he plays in a poor conference (I know San diego St, blah blah) and got fat against it. That being said- he is a good player- he hits his free throws, he can shoot lights out, and because of who he is and where he goes to school, the valley will get behind him. I think it would be a good pick for many reasons, but still be cautious.
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    HPB wrote...
    ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
    May 9, 2011 3:28 pm
    If the Suns draft Jimmer that would be the last straw for me. The team needs to be realistic and draft someone who can come in and immediately improve the team in the statistical areas which they struggled last year. He is a great shooter and that is about it. He can't create his own shot in the half court and is not a great rebounder! If the Suns do draft Jimmer they will confirm for me that they are not serious about improving the team!
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