Knudson: Jimmer, Kawhi and the Next Level

By Mark Knudson, The Mtn. Insider
March 28, 2011

I’m not an NBA scout. I’m just going to play on in this space.

I’m drafting Jimmer Fredette. In the first round. With my first pick.

Mark it down: Jimmer is going to be a stud in the NBA. Kawhi Leonard, too.

Is Jimmer the next Michael Jordan? No. The next Kobe Bryant? Of course not. The next Danny Ainge or Steve Nash? Could happen.

Jimmer can’t run faster and jump higher than everyone else. He would not “wow” them if there were an NBA Combine. He’s probably too short to play shooting guard and not quite quick enough to be a starting point guard. And yes, Jimmer doesn’t play a lot of defense. Neither does two-time MVP Steve Nash. Defense is something a whole lot of first round draft picks – and even more NBA veterans - have to work on. Do the nightly highlight reels feature John Wall or Blake Griffin making great defensive plays? Nope. Jimmer will fit right in and probably eventually learn to be a decent defender. How do Orlando’s JJ Redick or Denver’s JR Smith perform on the defensive end? You get the picture.

But there’s something – an intangible – that Fredette has that has convinced me he will be an impact player in the NBA. When BYU was in Denver for the second and third rounds of the NCAA tournament, a local scribe pointed out the similarities between Fredette and Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. It might be a bit of a stretch, but if you look close enough, you can see a little Tebow in Jimmer. Both are polarizing figures that had spectacular college careers and skill sets that don’t necessarily transfer to the next level. However, both also have a work ethic and a will to win that is rare and special.

Winners find a way.

As for Leonard, if he decides to make himself available for the upcoming NBA Draft after just completing his sophomore season, he will undoubtedly be a lottery pick. He has all the skills and all the upside we pseudo-scouts look for. In any other year, he’s the Conference Player of the Year and an All-American. This year, he happened to be overshadowed by Jimmer Mania. That probably won’t be the case in the NBA. Rebounders like Leonard are a rare breed. Add that to the fact that he can guard almost any position on the court and Kawhi is a definite keeper.

My guess is that as the NBA Draft approaches and the pre-draft evaluations take place, Jimmer will start to creep up the draft boards. NBA types will see not only the amazing feats that will appear on film, but they will see Fredette in action against many of the other potential high picks, and they will see for themselves that this guy is someone who will help you win.

Fredette has a devotion to the game and a work ethic that goes far beyond physical talent. Eventually, even the doubters will see that. If he somehow ends up in a Utah Jazz uniform, Jimmer Mania won’t skip a beat. An even better fit might be in Boston, where his protégé Ainge is calling the shots. It’s easy to see Jimmer taking over for Ray Allen as the Celtics long-range bomber.

Meanwhile, if Kawhi doesn’t get scared by the impending lockout and decides to turn pro, he’ll be picked ahead of Fredette and the team that drafts him won’t be disappointed. Leonard has all the tools to become a great NBA player and his SDSU teammate, Billy White, has the skill set to eventually find his way onto an NBA roster as well.

A banner year for the MWC will be punctuated on draft day, when the league’s best take it to the next level.

See all of Mark Knudson's blog entries HERE.