I feel like criticism of Jimmer is akin to criticism of Kevin Love's double-double streak. For Love, people were saying that because he was playing on the perennial cellar-dwelling T-wolves, his streak was made possible. This criticism was, of course ridiculous. His streak was impressive and frankly if it was that easy, why hadn't anyone else done it? Innumerable amounts of lottery picks have passed through Minnesota having achieved much much less.
Jimmer. If he has so many flaws, and if any flawed player with marginal skills could do the same in his situation, why haven't they done it? Anyone can be a volume shooter. Not everyone can make that volume shots with the rate Fredette did. 52 points in a game doesn't just happen. All those 40+ point games against MWC competition is good. I don't care who you are. Byu has gone through a lot this year, especially in the front court--losing Collinsworth early and Davies late. This only focused the attention on Jimmer more, yet he only got better. Every team knew what byu and jimmer were going to do, and no one could stop them. Jimmer took down Jimmer in the end. His shot carried them and destroyed them. It was poetic.
No one really expects that Jimmer will be a star. But is there any doubt that he will work hard? He has come a long way from his freshman year. A huge change in those years. Why the hell couldn't this work ethic transfer to the NBA? He can figure out a way a to score and make a contribution in the NBA. How many "insanely athletic, jump out of the gym, long and athletic, etc" players get to the NBA and flame out. For me, Jimmer is just too hard of a worker with a strong determination and a sweet shot to not find success in the NBA.
Think about it. Think of the name CJ Miles. Cj Miles. The only thing that Jimmer doesn't have that CJ has is a 5-6 inches. Which, admittedly, is a huge deal the NBA. That length isn't everything. But above the shoulders, Jimmer takes the cake. I just can't envision a career for Jimmer that does not at least match or exceed CJ Miles' production. Also, I don't think it will take Jimmer as long as it has taken Miles to get a sense for what is going on.
