An acquisition that went under the radar for the Milwaukee Bucks at last season’s trade deadline was the addition of center Jericho Sims. He is a player that joined Milwaukee with career averages of 2.4 points and 3.9 rebounds. Forgive Bucks fans for not rejoicing once they found out the 26-year-old would now be a member of their favorite team. He did enough though in his time with the team that Bucks general manager Jon Horst had some glowing comments regarding Jericho Sims in an interview.
Bucks GM Jon Horst Has Glowing Remarks On Reserve Center
Jon Horst Has Positive Things To Say About Jericho Sims
On Wednesday, Eric Nehm of The Athletic posted part one of a two-part interview with Horst. While they talked about numerous topics, Horst brought up Sims in a question regarding Myles Turner. Horst said,
“Jericho (Sims) was one of the best switch defenders in the playoffs. He’s got a limited, limited sample, but I believe that he can do it. He’s an elite rim protector…he’s big, he’s physical, he’s athletic. I think the core four of those guys as a frontcourt is as good as anybody. And I think that it’s largely the way that we’ve been dominant in that space over 10 years. But I also think it gives us a chance to modernize and catch up in some of the other areas as well.”
The other three in that core four frontcourt players are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and the newly-acquired Turner. Sims is likely fourth in the pecking order for minutes. This offseason, Sims re-signed for two years, $5.26 million, with the second season being a player option.
Opponents shot just 50.5% from within six feet with Sims as the nearest defender during the 2024-25 season. Listed at 6-foot-10, 245 lbs., he has jump out the gym-type athleticism. While he didn’t win, the four-year veteran was invited to, and took part in the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest.
Was A Part Of Their Playoff Rotation Last Season
After he was acquired by the Bucks, Sims was originally outside their rotation. That changed within a couple weeks time when Portis was suspended for 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. Now without their top reserve frontcourt player, Sims began seeing regular minutes. A bump in the road happened in mid-March when he tore a ligament in his right thumb. The injury sidelined him for Milwaukee’s last 15 regular season outings.
He returned for the playoffs, and Sims appeared in all five playoff games in their first round matchup against the Indiana Pacers. This was despite Portis having returned from his suspension. Sims would average 2.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes in their first round defeat. In 15 regular season games for the Bucks, he finished with averages of 2.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 15.0 minutes.
While his scoring is mostly limited to the occasional catch on a lob and put-backs, Sims is a solid offensive rebounder. With his presence on defense, head coach Doc Rivers may once again find room in the rotation for the reserve center.
Photo credit: © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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