Is Jimmer the best ever at BYU?

[Sizzle]

If not, what does he need to do the rest of his career to hit that mark? Win National POY? Take BYU to th Elite 8? Final Four? And if Jimmer isn't, then who is? Ainge? Kosic? Bradley? Fred Roberts? Araujo?

Discuss.

[Indy Coug]

I wish we could have seen Ainge with a 3 point line.

[byu71]

He is good enough that it is at least debatable.

I am fortunate enough to have seen Kosic, Ainge and now Fredette.

Kosic was pure fun to watch play. A guy that big doing what he could do was way out of the ordinary back then.

Ainge, well he was Ainge. BYU was down when he showed up. He was by far the best player when he arrived as a Freshman. Then some awfully good talent was added to the mix while he was there and they made a deep run in the NCAA's. Think about it. He still holds the scoring record at BYU and if you like defense, Jackson just beat his steals record.

Fredette, well he is awfully fun to watch too. Better shooter than Ainge, IMHO. He carries this team in a way Ainge didn't carry his. Perhaps Ainge carried the team emotionally, but he had a way better supporting cast. Fredette's supporting cast is good, but not as good as Ainge's. If Fredette takes this team deep into the NCAA's, then I might have to reaccess how I feel.

Right now I would take Ainge, but ask again at the end of the year.

[CJF]

If not, what does he need to do the rest of his career to hit that mark? Win National POY? Take BYU to th Elite 8? Final Four? And if Jimmer isn't, then who is? Ainge? Kosic? Bradley? Fred Roberts? Araujo?

Discuss.

I still think it is Ainge. Although the Ainge Elite 8 team had more overall talent with three guys playing several years in the NBA, even if only as journeymen. Ainge didn't have the benefit of the three point line in college. Ainge was a better athlete. Ainge is also bigger than Jimmer. Ainge also won the Wooden award as a college player. So Ainge has accomplished more both on and off the court at this point. I love Jimmer, but I don't quite think he has put together quite the overall resume that Ainge had.

I never saw Kosic play, but my dad sounds like Greg Wrubbel when describing him. I wish those games were shown on KBYU now.

[happyone]

In my lifetime I would rank them this way - Ainge, jimmer, kosic

but what do I know

[pellegrino]

Jimmer is great, but nobody compares with Ainge, who started more games, scored more, and took the team farther than anyone else has. Jimmer is second to Ainge. If he wins the POY award and takes the team to the final four then he would be close.

[Top Ute]

If not, what does he need to do the rest of his career to hit that mark? Win National POY? Take BYU to th Elite 8? Final Four? And if Jimmer isn't, then who is? Ainge? Kosic? Bradley? Fred Roberts? Araujo?

Discuss.

1. Ainge
X-2. Jimmer
3. Mike Smith

X-Subject to change

Never saw Kosic play. Respect the POV that says he's an all-timer. But Smith was as close offensively as BYU has ever had to Keith Van Horn, minus the great supporting cast and a coach who drove him to defend.

Ute fans have to get ready for the reality that this is BYU's best chance ever to get into a Final Four. We've had arguably one of the top 2-3 players in the country three different times at Utah in the last 15 years, and made a Final Four once -- about as good of a success rate as you could hope for -- with trips to the Elite 8 and Sweet 16. But KVH, Miller and Bogut -- none of them shot the 3 like Jimmer. With that in your back pocket, BYU will never go into a game against someone they can't beat.

[Surfah]

Ainge was playing major league baseball while "dabbling" in basketball. The only way I see Jimmer supplanting Ainge as GOAT at BYU is winning a title.

[smokymountainrain]

1. Ainge
X-2. Jimmer
3. Mike Smith

X-Subject to change

Never saw Kosic play. Respect the POV that says he's an all-timer. But Smith was as close offensively as BYU has ever had to Keith Van Horn, minus the great supporting cast and a coach who drove him to defend.

Smith was actually probably a better offensive player than Van Horn, but KVH was twice the athlete Smith was, hence the NBA success. Based on production, Smith was a more effective scorer and there is a no doubt he was a superior passer.

[Borg]

I am assuming we are talking about being a college player. If we are talking "college"...then I will vote "yes". Jimmer is the greatest BYU basketball player.

I was a student during the Michael Smith years. Michael Smith was a pure shooter. Bad knees, no defense. Turnaround jumper was money. However, I think that Smith had to be open, and could not create a shot like Jimmer could.

I got to BYU after Ainge, but have seen enough of him to know that this poll's answer is either Ainge, or Fredette. I believe Ainge's fire, drive, competitiveness, desire to win...has been matched only by Fredette.

To me, it seems that Fredette can create a shot that Ainge could not. Ainge was taller, more NBA-esque looking...but Jimmer's got range, the drive ability, the ball handling...edge goes to Fredette.

Ainge may end up being the better pro...but I think he's been edged out by Fredette. (In my books that is)

[Flystripper]

Jimmer is great, but nobody compares with Ainge, who started more games, scored more, and took the team farther than anyone else has. Jimmer is second to Ainge. If he wins the POY award and takes the team to the final four then he would be close.

it is close now. If he does that it is Jimmer and it isn't even close.

[Indy Coug]

As far as senior year goes, Jimmer is probably better than Ainge. However, a college career covers 4 years. Ainge was a 20 ppg player as a freshman.

[pellegrino]

it is close now. If he does that it is Jimmer and it isn't even close.

He's no where near Ainge in total starts and points scored, and Ainge didn't have a 3 point line. I love Jimmer, but I refuse to let time fade Ainge's accomplishments. If he does all that, could consider him to be equal to or somewhat greater than Ainge, but he's not that close yet.

[NorthwestUteFan]

As a Celtics fan, I always wonder what 'could have been'. Smith was drafted ahead of Shawn Kemp (!) and Tim Hardaway (!!). Imagine Shawn Kemp coming off the bench for Bird/McHale, or a backcourt with Tim Hardaway and Ainge!

Smith could have been a successful NBA player if he wasn't such an unbelievable lazy ass (speaking from the sperspective of a Boston sports fan). Rumor was he would show up late for practice, shoot around, leave early, repeat.

He could have put up great numbers and TRULY learned to play the game from one of the greatest teams in the history of basketball (Bird, Ainge, Parrish, McHale, Johnson). He was picked as an heir-apparent to Bird. Instead he had a career in which he scored 5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1 turnover per game. He barely had a better NBA career than Araujo.

He could been a contendah! He coulda been somebody! In college, however, he was great.

Jimmer is smooth and fluid, and is an excellent shooter. he reminds me of JJ Redick, but unfortunately is quite a bit smaller. He is a complete joy to watch, once I block out the name and logo on the front of the jersey.

[Flystripper]

He's no where near Ainge in total starts and points scored, and Ainge didn't have a 3 point line. I love Jimmer, but I refuse to let time fade Ainge's accomplishments. If he does all that, could consider him to be equal to or somewhat greater than Ainge, but he's not that close yet.

Total starts isn't the best way to measure greatness. Points scored is a decent metric but not the end all be all. Doing more with less can't be emphasized enough. Right now he has not done more so he probably isn't the greatest yet. Praising Jimmer is not dissing Ainge. I know Ainge was truly great, but I think people need to shake off the nostalgia and see what Jimmer is doing. Is he there yet? Probably not, but he is close and if he makes it to the final weekend of the tournament and garners POY honors then I think he is on top. Just my opinion. This in no way takes away from Ainge and yes I am old enough to remember him.