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  • HECTOR AMEZCUA / hamezcua@sacbee.com

    Jimmer Fredette exchanges greetings with fans before Wednesday's game against Detroit at Sleep Train Arena. He says he's feeling more confident about his game.

  • HECTOR AMEZCUA / hamezcua@sacbee.com

    Jimmer Fredette is averaging 7.4 minutes and five points this season. His most ardent fans have taken to Twitter demanding the guard be "freed" from the Kings.

  • HECTOR AMEZCUA / hamezcua@sacbee.com

    Jimmer Fredette celebrates his three-pointer with Aaron Brooks, right, as DeMarcus Cousins walks toward them during the Kings' victory over Detroit on Wednesday. Fredette scored 12 points.

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As his fans vent, Fredette focuses on how he can help Kings

Published: Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 1C
Last Modified: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012 - 4:37 pm

LOS ANGELES – The members of the social media movement to find Jimmer Fredette a new NBA team will be disappointed by this news.

Fredette has yet to join them.

On Twitter, the #freejimmer campaign has been going on in earnest as Fredette's most vocal fans demand the second-year guard be "freed" from the Kings.

Fredette, however, has yet to jump in and ask to be freed via trade by Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie.

"No, definitely not," Fredette said with a laugh. "I haven't talked to Geoff about anything like that."

That's not to say Fredette is content. His playing time is inconsistent because he's the third point guard behind Isaiah Thomas and Aaron Brooks. Fredette's season so far includes not appearing in one game and playing just six seconds in another.

Fredette's fan base, built during his standout career at BYU, sees the treatment of Fredette as disrespectful and expresses its displeasure through social media, sometimes in a profane tone.

Fredette is more concerned about how his performance can help the team than what's being tweeted. He's familiar with his fans' demand but doesn't pay much attention to it.

"I can't control anything about that," Fredette said. "I'm here playing to the best of my ability and supporting my team, and other people can think whatever they want to think. That's not my job. My job is to be here, be supportive and play the best that I can."

Fredette is averaging 7.4 minutes and five points this season and has made 9 of 16 shots.

Coach Keith Smart is hesitant to play Fredette against certain teams. One might be the Los Angeles Lakers, tonight's opponent, whose big guards can post up Fredette.

And even when the guards aren't big, they immediately go after Fredette, looking to exploit his defensive shortcomings.

"I'm torn up because this young man is doing everything he can and not able to get on the floor," Smart said. "I've just got to look at it because his efficiency ratings are starting to move up when he's on the floor and he's been a positive. So I've got to try to get him on the floor more."

After Fredette's struggles last season, the Kings wanted him to come back and play aggressively on offense, which he has done. They also wanted to see more effort and aggressiveness on defense, areas where he also has worked to improve.

But the Kings signed Brooks in the offseason, and the veteran has taken most of the minutes at point guard not played by Thomas.

Petrie said Fredette is still in the Kings' plans. But the team has to figure out if Fredette is indeed a point guard or more of a combo guard, which would free him to score more and not run the offense as much.

"Everybody eventually gets their opportunity," Petrie said. "He's got a real good feel for the game, and he hasn't come close to shooting the ball to his potential. That's not a concern given the quality of his stroke and his history of making shots. It'll just require some patience and time."

Fredette has no choice but to be patient. He believes he will get his opportunity and he must "stay ready" to capitalize on his chances to play.

"I'm feeling more confident," Fredette said. "I'm feeling good about my game and how things are going personally with my game. Our team is continuing to grow and progress, and I think we will have a successful year if we keep working together and playing hard.

"We'll see what happens with minutes, but I do feel like I'm personally getting better."

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Read more articles by Jason Jones



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