Knicks' Jericho Sims getting some support for Slam Dunk entry
Knicks center Jericho Sims grabs a rebound against the Raptors during the first half of an NBA game Jan. 6 in Toronto. Credit: The Canadian Press via AP/Cole Burston
WASHINGTON — Jericho Sims saw the tweet from Ja Morant last week, quote-tweeting the announcement of Houston’s K.J. Martin committing to the Slam Dunk Competition with a message: “Can we get Jericho Sims in there with him and [Shaedon] Sharpe.”
And Sims agrees.
He has not gotten the word yet, but the high-flying second-year center is interested in heading to Salt Lake City next month for a chance to compete.
“Yeah, I don’t know if I’m going to go do it,” he said. “But I’m interested.”
The quiet Sims lets things speak for him, such as a video on the Knicks’ social media account showing him leaping without a ball in his hands at Georgetown’s practice gym Thursday night. His shoulders are even with the rim.
The Morant endorsement was odd. Many would lobby for Morant to join the competition, but he has refused, and he and Sims do not have a relationship.
“I thought it was pretty cool that he wanted to see me in it,” Sims said. “I think he said something about it before. I don’t know him personally. I know he was down at [the University of Texas] this summer . . . I guess he knows. It’s funny because he could obviously get in there if he wants to.”
Most of Sims’ dunks this season are, like the video, unusual just because of how high he soars above the rim. But if he competes, he said he will have some creativity ready.
“Yeah, I can pull something out,” he said. “A few things.”
Taj digs Knicks
Washington’s Taj Gibson, a former Knick, likes what he sees from his old team.
“Just good additions to the team,” said Gibson, who was a Knick the previous three seasons. “I’ve been watching them all year, they got a good team . . . Guys are getting a lot better. You see Mitch [Robinson] playing more comfortable. They’re a force. They’re a real force, and I’m excited. I really watch them all the time, so I’m happy to see them playing well.
“Julius [Randle] always had it . . . Him and Jalen [Brunson] are killing it. RJ [Barrett] has been playing great. [Quentin] Grimes has really grown into himself. I’m really liking what I see from that team.”
Mostly, he misses New York and the ties he built there.
“Yeah, I’ve just been around a long time and I enjoy just the grind of the season and the grind of getting to know guys,” Gibson said. “Playing with those guys, when you play in New York, you’re playing underneath the big lights. So you’re gonna go through a lot of ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and I’ve been through that with New York and that team over there. It’s always love, and I’m extremely proud of it.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
