Reaction mostly positive to Sacramento Kings grabbing Jimmer Fredette

No, Jimmer Fredette won't stay in Utah, much to the disappointment of many in-state Utah Jazz fans. But his future with the Sacramento Kings looks bright.

Online response to the former BYU star's selection in Thursday's NBA Draft has been mostly positive, as many analysts like how Fredette fits in with what promises to be a high-powered Kings offense.

"The Kings' starting point was Beno Udrih, and Fredette has the ability to be much better," wrote ESPN's Chad Ford. "He's a great shooter, and he's tough. I think it's a really good pick, and Fredette, Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton will be a fun backcourt to watch."

CBSSports.com gave the Kings an A grade for selecting Jimmer, comparing their offensive firepower to their California neighbors, the Golden State Warriors: "What rivalry? Warriors fans love the Kings' trade -- Jimmer now resides just 90 minutes away. A new sellout streak is born."

Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick pointed out the business side of the Fredette pick, saying that Jimmer will "energize the fan base in ways that not only sell tickets but also lead to a long-overdue arena deal. That's the business appeal of drafting Fredette."

Yahoo.com's Jeff Eisenberg called comparisons between Fredette and former Gonzaga star and NBA bust Adam Morrison "laughable." He wrote: "Not only is (Fredette) one of college basketball's best long-range shooters of the past five years, he also deserves more credit for his ability to create for himself or his teammates off the dribble."

Yahoo.com blogger Kelly Dwyer was also optimistic on Jimmer. "This is no hyped-up creation, mind you," he wrote. "Fredette has legitimate skills in an area you can never boast too much competence in, that of long range shooting. And though Jimmer did take, make and even rely upon some awfully contested shots in his senior season at BYU, he will have open looks even on a struggling team like the Kings. Even if he will have to work on the speed in which he releases the ball."

Sacramento TV station News10 posted this interview with Fredette:

Kings fan blog Cowbell Kingdom was upbeat on Fredette's fate in Sacramento. "Overall, I see a bright future for Jimmer Fredette as a member of the Sacramento Kings," blogger James Ham wrote. "He is an extremely intelligent, high basketball IQ player who can really stretch the defense, giving Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins plenty of room to work."

The Sacramento Bee detailed the reactions of Kings fans following the draft at parties in the Sacramento area, Some seemed delighted, while others were concerned about the trade that sent Kings point guard Beno Udrih to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for the Fredette pick. Bee writer Miles Bennett-Smith quoted Kings fan Johnn Szeto as saying, "At first I was kinda confused, because Beno had been our most consistent shooter. But when we picked Jimmer, it made sense, and I'm pretty excited."