Entry passes to Mr. Sims
I haven't seen anyone bring it up but I noticed a major difference in Michigan's offense last night: entry passes to Sims. I have been impressed with our crisp passing and backcuts this year but there hasn't been many chances for Sims to show his sweet post moves. Against Purdue we added the play of lobbing the ball to Sims on the block and he was unstoppable. I would hope we would see more of this play going forward.
Also I must add that I am proud to be a fan of this team. While the NCAA tourney would be a nice milestone, I have nice memories of our two recent NIT runs and think that a strong showing in the NIT this year could give a great confidence boost heading into next season. It is nice either way to not suck at basketball.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:13 AM ^
Entry passes are difficult with all the zone that college teams play. Especially late in the game, Purdue got burned when they ran man defenses. Sims is too athletic for a lot of big men and too strong for small forwards. I don't think he'll do much in the NBA, but he could be a huge force for the rest of this year and next.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:29 AM ^
Purdue played man-to-man and that hurt them inside without Calasan or Johnson, that is why Sims played so well. Same with Duke they have Zoubeck, who is average and no one else.
Harris is the only NBA player on Michigan's roster, and a good one if the turnovers go down a little.
February 27th, 2009 at 10:25 PM ^
If Bernard Robinson can hang around in the NBA, so can Deshawn Sims.
February 28th, 2009 at 4:35 PM ^
They are completely different players. BRJ was a wing, and Sims is a post. The only common thread between them is that they went to school here. BRJ was a good fit at the 3, in terms of size, athleticism and game. Sims is undersized for the 4 in the pros and probably not quick enough for the 3.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:04 PM ^
Another common thread is that neither one is/was a great college player, but both are pretty good. Another common thread is that neither player seems like a good fit at any particular position, yet both could find a niche.
They're completely different players? You mean a guy who plays PF/C for us is different than a guy who played SG/SF? Thanks for the insight!
February 27th, 2009 at 10:32 AM ^
seems to shrink when he is guarded by a taller defender. That is the one thing I notice about him. He is great, no doubt, but he doesn't do as well against the taller big men in the conference.
February 27th, 2009 at 12:49 PM ^
for whatever reason they stop giving him the ball. it's as if they're thinking, "oh wow that guy's bigger than peedi, i'll shoot this three instead." i think if you get him the ball down there he's got an advantage either way. (too quick for C/PF, too big for SF)
February 27th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
Sadly, at the next level, that statement gets turned around to this: "too small for C/PF, too slow for SF."
I plan to continue enjoying his career at UM, though.