This isn’t the momentum surge Jimmer Fredette wanted on the verge of officially arriving on the Knicks’ roster to claim the team’s 15th spot. Carmelo Anthony called him by the wrong name Saturday, then Fredette saw his jump shot go all wrong Sunday in his D-League finale with Westchester.
Fredette had a John Starksian meltdown performance against Iowa at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, shooting 2-of-17 for six points in 37 minutes as the D-League Knicks dropped an 84-80 decision.
“One of those games I couldn’t put the ball in,” Fredette said. “It happens. You don’t want it to happen. A lot of ins and outs. It was a tough one.”
The Knicks have planned to sign the upstate Glens Falls sharpshooter with the cult following to a 10-day deal Monday before they play host to Toronto. A host of forwards were waived in recent days, including ex-Knicks David Lee, Steve Novak and Chris Copeland, but they need backcourt help.
“You got 10 days to show what you can do, and they’ll decide from there,” Fredette said. “I have to focus and try my best, whether it’s game, practice or weight room.”
When asked by The Post on Saturday night about the imminent signing, Anthony asked, “Who are we getting?”
“To be honest with you, I haven’t seen Jimmy play in a long time,” Anthony said. “I’ve been hearing about what’s he’s doing down there in the D-League, but I haven’t seen him play in action for a long time.”
Anthony seemed underwhelmed, joking, “I thought you were telling me we were about to sign someone.”
No, it’s just Jimmer. After Sunday’s game, Fredette laughed off Anthony’s miscue.
“I’ve had people call me Jimmy, Jim, Jimster,” Fredette told reporters.
Sources have indicated it’s unclear if Fredette will get playing time unless he proves himself in practice. Knicks interim coach Kurt Rambis indicated Friday that Fredette is an example of a top college star not yet fully making the adjustment to the NBA, where the game is “faster” and the players are “stronger.”
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