Fans should be pumped for the Knicks’ next enforcer, Jericho Sims
Jericho Sims should be the enforcer on this year’s team. Standing at six feet nine inches tall, he weighs the most on the team. At 250 pounds, he weighs the same as Julius Randle, who already showed impressive growth in the preseason. With Randle being able to play multiple positions and Isaiah Hartenstein’s ability to step outside to hit the three, Sims can rule the paint when he is in the game. Sims is strong and has the height and athletic ability to dominate both ends of the floor.
Sims is a breath of fresh air for the Knicks, as they’ve not had this type of player come through their locker room. His leaping ability is what sets him apart from many players his height. On offense, it should be easy for Jalen Brunson to find Jericho Sims around the hoop. Whether it be for alley-oops or easy dunks, it will be hard for his defenders to keep up with him. They will have to keep their head on a swivel.
His physical frame with a 42-inch vertical will put fear in opposing coaches as they prepare for the matchup. Sims will be a player to watch out for! Thunderous dunks and lavish alley-oops will be sure to excite fans at Madison Square Garden. Once the New York fans start roaring, it’s hard for opponents to overcome it.
Jericho Sims has a physical game that should thrive
Although the league is changing, it still pays off to be physical. When you have a guy with the stature of Sims combined with his athleticism, being physical shouldn’t be difficult. A coach like Tom Thibodeau will make sure Sims is being a force down low, especially on the defensive end.
Sims will make defenders think twice before coming into the paint. He’s too big to get around or go through. Also, he’s too tall and jumps high, making it harder for players to get a shot off. Protecting the paint will be Jericho’s job when he checks in. There’s no doubt in my mind that he will become a fan favorite in New York if he plays to his strengths and God-given ability.
It’s great to have a player like Sims coming off the bench — a guy that is not a liability on either end of the floor and brings a boost of energy to the team. Sims reminds me of another budding Eastern Conference big man — and no, it’s not because they both sport an afro!
Whenever I see Jericho Sims, I see Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen. Standing 6’10 and weighing 243 pounds, Allen earned his first All-Star appearance this past season. He’s a defensive specialist and has been the reason for Cleveland’s efficient team defense. This past season, the Cavaliers were in the top five in defensive efficiency.
Each year since he has been in the NBA, Allen has upped his scoring, averaging 16 points per game. Allen is the type of player Sims can model his game after. After all, they both went to the University of Texas, with Jericho replacing Allen after he declared for the 2017 NBA Draft. If Allen stayed, they would’ve played together. Imagine how that would have looked?
I believe Jericho Sims has the potential to be like the impactful player Allen is. He may even have the opportunity to be even better as Sims’s athleticism separates the two. The second-year player has the making of an enforcer in New York, and we have all season to see what he can do.
