PHOENIX SUNS
Jimmer Fredette’s homecoming in Utah clashes with Devin Booker’s 59
Mar 25, 2019, 9:01 PM | Updated: Mar 26, 2019, 9:09 am
Phoenix Suns guard Jimmer Fredette (32) shoots as Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 25, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Phoenix Suns guard Jimmer Fredette thought he was having his moment in Utah. And maybe it really was one.
He received a standing ovation when he checked into the game from the fans who got to know him during his time at Brigham Young University when he became a national phenom.
Utah fans give Jimmer a standing ovation đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/baLVi8RWq5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 26, 2019
Every time Fredette touched the ball the anticipation in the arena grew. The Utah fans really wanted to see him succeed.
But there were two problems with Fredette’s outing.
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One, he was not playing well. At all.
Two, his moment came during Devin Booker’s much, much larger one in which Booker dropped a season-high 59.
Nevertheless, Fredette started gunning for his first points as a Sun in the fourth quarter.
After shooting 0-for-2 in the first three quarters, he checked back in with 6:56 left. Whether Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov was trying to allow Fredette the chance to score or resting his more important players with the game well out of hand remains to be seen.
Fredette missed six straight shots over the course of less than four in-game minutes before earning a trip to the foul line that had the Jazz fans erupt.
They lost it when Fredette finally scored.
Another standing ovation for Jimmer as he gets his first points as a Suns player 🙏 pic.twitter.com/nRZI29cDFi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 26, 2019
But Fredette wasn’t done, yet.
After Booker checked back in post-quick rest and was just one point shy of 60, Fredette in the last two minutes made an eight-foot runner, missed a deep 3-pointer and earned one more trip to the foul line. He finished with six total points and two turnovers.
This led to Suns Twitter losing its collective mind that Booker was not getting the ball and Fredette was chucking it.
G I V E. B O O K. T H E. B A L L.
— Jessica Slate (@thejslate) March 26, 2019
Cut Jimmer Fredette right now.
— Max (@maxmcc11) March 26, 2019
Jimmer Fredette…read the room, dude.
— Vince Marotta (@Vincemarotta) March 26, 2019
Does Jimmer not know Devin Booker has 59?!
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 26, 2019
Jimmer committing crimes on the court
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) March 26, 2019
What transpired was the most bizarre game the Suns have played this season, a 33-point uncompetitive loss no less, and one all the fans attending won’t forget.
The question is if that will be because of Fredette’s 1-for-10 shooting amongst raucous support, Booker scoring 59 or both.
