NCAA: Jimmer Fredette vs. Kemba Walker

So I was listening to Colin Cowherd this morning, and I just knew he was going to rag on Jimmer. Yes, BYU lost to Florida and Jimmer was putting up some crazy shots, but I think the media (Colin included) is focusing too much on one game. Here is what I mean:

Colin said “Kemba takes better shots and is in a far different talent level than Jimmer." That may be true—I mean, who knows. If they played one on one, who knows who would win. But look at the total numbers for this season:

Kemba Walker:

24 pts a game
4.5 assists per game
43% shooting percentage (35% from 3 pt range)
5.4 rebounds per game

Jimmer Fredette:

28.9 pts per game
4.3 assists
45% shooting percentage (40% from 3 pt range)
3.4 rebounds per game

*Well, Colin also mentioned that “Kemba is a much more NBA ready type talent, Jimmer will be on a bench near you soon." Again, could be true, but lets look at Kemba Walker’s numbers against good opponents in his team’s losses this year.

Pittsburgh (loss, and Colin says there are no NBAers on this team)
10-27 shooting (3-11 from 3 pt land)
31 pts, 4 rebs, 2 assists, 3 turnovers

Notre Dame No. 1 (loss)
8-23 shooting (0-5 from 3 pt land)
19 pts, 7 rebs, 5 assists, 3 turnovers

Louisville (loss)
7-23 shooting (2-10 from 3 pt land)
20 pts, 4 rebs, 4 assists, 1 turnover

West Virginia (loss)
8-23 shooting (4-7 from 3 pt land)
22 pts, 2 rebs, 2 assists

Marquette (loss)
10-27 shooting (2-6 from 3 pt land)
27 pts, 5 rebs, 3 assists, 4 turnover’s

Syracuse (loss)
3-14 shooting (1-6 from 3 pt land)
8 pts, 6 rebs, 5 assists, 1 turnover

St. Johns (loss)
4-16 shooting (4-7 from 3 pt land)
15 pts, 4 rebs, 7 assists, 1 turnover

Notre Dame No. 2 (loss)
11-22 shooting (2-7 from 3 pt land)
34 pts, 6 rebs, 1 assist, 1 turnover

As you can see, Kemba has really struggled against good competition. As a matter of fact, he has been a downright bad shooter.

I think Kemba and Jimmer will both be in the NBA, but to drag Jimmer through the trash because of one bad game against a very good Florida team is not responsible—it's lazy reporting. One more thing: Colin said, “Jimmer is a turnover prone ball hog." How did they both do against San Diego State—a team that many say is great at defense?

Kemba (last night)
12-25 shooting (4-8 from 3 pt land)
36 points, 3 rebs, 3 assists, 4 turnovers

Jimmer (three games averaged this season against SDSU)
Averaged 24 shots per game
33 points, 4 rebs, 4 assists, 4 turnovers

Jimmer also averaged more points per game in AWAY games than in HOME games. That’s good.

In closing, I am not saying that Jimmer is the best player ever, but he is just as good this year as Kemba Walker has been. The media is drooling over Kemba because of the eight-game win streak his team is on, but they need to look at the numbers closer. Kemba may “take smarter shots” like Colin said; he just doesn’t make them as often as Jimmer.