Knicks · Jericho Sims (page 1)

I was told he has no skills. Yet the more tape I watch the more skills I see. He has the skills Thibs like in a big. Ability to operating in a PNR. He seems good at shot blocking and rebounding. He seems like a good positional defender. He has a knack for finding open space in the paint. He has good hands. I am not saying he is going to be a star or even a starter. He just looks better than I was lead to believe.

We can’t expect much from a 58 pick. Maybe he makes the team and maybe he doesn’t. Hopefully he can be a solid 3rd string center.

If I had to pick a player to outperform and surprise, it’s Jericho Sims. It will be hard to see in the money stats, but we will see how he boxes out and that will determine his role here.

Rim runners and shot blockers just aren't valued as much these days. Jus take Jahlil Okafor for example. Dude killed it in the Olympics. Still has the skills to score in the low post. No one cares because he's not switchable on D and doesn't shoot 3s. Sengun dominated grown men as a boy. You know what pushed over? That scouts saw the potential in him to become a consistent three-point shot. I have no doubt Sims will provide value for where he was drafted. If not, there will be another Sims sitting on some G-League squad.

He's 22 years old.
Mitchell Robinson is 23 years old.

He's got a LOT of developing to do before ever being in the same conversation as Mitchell Robinson heading into his 4th year.

An exciting talent/athleticism etc but I won't get my hopes over this Sims kid until I see him feast within an NBA game.

I think he’s raw but if he keeps it simple— he’s got a solid chance to be a 12-7 player with good defense in the nba at his peak That’s a strong expectation from rd 2 but I think he can do it. He’s gonna be good in the pick n roll. Thins uses that high pick and he’s bigger than taj—he’s gonna set good picks and then he’s gonna finish in the nba. The guy literally is 14 feet in the air— he’s strong and he can go to where others can’t. He knows the dunker position— he’s not a lane clogger—he does a lot of basic things right. He’s also a guy who can be diverse on defense year 1 he’s 6 fouls. By year 3 he should be an impact defense in best case scenario. He also has footwork upside which would possibly allow him upside on offense. The center position has become somewhat role specific and he plays that role well. He’s not a good passer and raw with the dribble. Good rebounder but certainly room to get better. He’s gotta remember he’s the big guy and use his explosion to his benefit in simple ways

I think he will see playing time just because of his defensive impact. Being a good roll guy matters little unless we have a PnR ball handler. We have none now. Right now he is basically a Mitchell Robinson clone with better footwork in the paint but perhaps not as good of a shot blocker. Even though I like how he goes up vertically with both hands up without crossing that line into other players space. Very excited to have him. I'll be a sad panda if we cannot get a PnR guard to unlock our big men potential. That would be a major front office failure

Just being strong/athletic won't make him a good defender at this level. He was a tentative player in college. He will have to adjust to the speed of the game and develop some court instinct/defensive IQ. He will have to learn to be agressive without fouiling everyone. You can't teach the size and athleticsm, but hopefully we can teach some of the skills. You can't ask for a whole lot more from a 58th pick. I was worried we might reach earlier at 32 or something.

His draft position is meaningless now. This was a crazy draft, so many players will outplay their positions and some will look like a reach.

I think he has talent right now to bring what a third-string C can. His biggest criticism is that he hasn’t improved even with more opportunities. He is also a candidate to do better as a pro because of the spacing. So if you add all that to the great development team we have right now, only good can come out of this.

If he becomes an energetic big off the bench, that would be an amazing get. I think he has the raw talent to do so. This is a win-win. The hardest thing to get is a player with the talent. He has it, raw but has it.

does anyone get a young d'andre jordan vibe from this guy? i have my doubts about him -- previously expressed, but will he be the next guy that is so freakish athletically that even though his offense may be limited there's also not much one can do if he's catching lobs 12' in the air.

Chandler wrote:
does anyone get a young d'andre jordan vibe from this guy? i have my doubts about him -- previously expressed, but will he be the next guy that is so freakish athletically that even though his offense may be limited there's also not much one can do if he's catching lobs 12' in the air.

Yeah

Think with the Knicks it'll all come down to 3 things: Can he set a pick? Will he be able to play PnR defense? And, how is his rotation coverage (ie team defense)?

Sky is the limit but what is his IQ limit?