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Henry Sims has taken the NBA D-League by storm all season long as he's emerged as one of the minor league's top big men.
Fresh out of Georgetown, the center displayed some impressive defensive prowess while donning a Knicks jersey during training camp. With a high basketball I.Q. and good hands on both ends of the floor, he even came close to securing a roster spot. But instead, New York opted to go with experience and retain Rasheed Wallace's services.
So instead of continuing in New York, Sims quest for an NBA gig resumed in Erie with the BayHawks. Having played well in camp, it was easy to see that the big man could pull down rebounds with ease as he fought his way inside. What's more, getting in his opponent's way at all costs, Sims knew how and when to either swat a shot back, or poke the ball away from the man he was defending.
Though rebounding and sound defensive fundamentals may have been what helped Sims get noticed in the first place, he's undeniably expended his game on the offensive end while in the D-League. With a high field-goal percentage, the big man has proven to be a smart player on that end of the floor as well. While his abilities may not signal that he's the best player on the floor, his instincts and intelligence give way to the fact that Sims can read defenses and attack in ways that make him successful, whether that means muscling his way inside against a defender, or pulling back for a somewhat mid-range jumper instead.
With Jason Smith out for the rest of the regular season, the Hornets need some help in their front court. After watching Sims rise above as a man among boys in the NBADL, they've decided that perhaps he's the man to fill that void. Sims will play out a 10-day contract with the team. Whether he gets on the court much or just plays well by getting into the mix during practice, there are plenty of ways the now former BayHawk can make enough of an impression in New Orleans to warrant staying the rest of the season.
As Sims has continued to show promise, progress, and potential all season long, RidiculousUpside.com has been along for the ride and has been taking notes dating back to his very first days in camp. Skillful big men are hard to come by in the NBA, and as Sims proved he was the one of the top available players in the D-League, it was only a matter of time before a team looked his way when considering minor league options.
Nevertheless, for a retrospective look at Sims' journey over the last few months, check out some of our past updates, in chronological order below.
October 26th: Examining Sims' Progress in Knicks' Training Camp:
December 7th: Sims Outplays Fab Melo and Makes Case For NBADL All-Star Nod and Eventual NBA Call-Up:
December 24th: Sims Emerges As One of the NBA D-League's Top Performers Around Christmas Time:
December 30th: RidiculousUpside.com Scouts Sims Up Close and Personal:
February 4th: Sims Earns a Spot on RidiculousUpside.com's Midseason NBADL Awards:
February 24th: Sims Impresses and Plays Well in Front of Two NBA Executives: