When the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Jericho Sims at the trade deadline, they knew they were getting an athletic, high-energy big man who could provide a spark off the bench.
Considering Doc Rivers' penchant for leaning on his already established veteran players like Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez (often together), it was probably seen as a low-risk, high-reward kind of move that would likely not shake up the rotation in any meaningful way. What the front office might not have expected, however, is just how impactful Sims would be in his limited minutes.
With a player like Sims, the stat sheet simply does not tell the whole story. At first glance, Sims’ numbers don’t seem particularly impressive. He’s not a prolific scorer, and his rebounding totals are modest at best. But basketball is a game of nuance, and Sims’ impact on the on-court product since he was acquired has simply gone far beyond the box score. His athleticism, energy and versatility have made him a difference-maker in ways that don’t always show up in the stat sheet.
Jericho Sims has been everything the Milwaukee Bucks needed at center
While his stat lines might not jump off the page, his presence on the court has been nothing short of transformative.
The Bucks have outscored opponents by a net-plus 18.1 points in Sims’ minutes, while opponents are scoring -11.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when Sims is on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass. In other words, Sims is quietly making the impact the Bucks envisioned—and then some. For a player who’s still adjusting to his new team, these are elite numbers.
One of Sims’ most valuable contributions is his ability to protect the rim and switch onto smaller players. At 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and elite athleticism, Sims has the tools to be a disruptive force on defense. He’s quick enough to stay in front of guards on the perimeter and long enough to contest shots at the rim, making him a nightmare matchup for opposing offenses.
On offense, Sims’ impact is equally subtle but no less important. His ability to set solid screens and roll to the rim has created easy scoring opportunities for his teammates, while his athleticism makes him a constant lob threat. Even if he’s not finishing every play himself, his presence forces defenses to collapse, opening up driving lanes for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Sims’ screening has been particularly valuable in pick-and-roll situations, where his size and athleticism make him a difficult cover for opposing bigs. While he’s only scored two points in his 49 minutes of action, his ability to create space and generate easy baskets for his teammates has been a key factor in the Milwaukee Bucks’ success.
Sims' energy and hustle simply don't show up on the stat sheet. Whether he’s diving for loose balls, contesting shots or crashing the glass, Sims plays with a level of intensity that’s contagious. His effort on the defensive end has been particularly impressive, as he’s consistently made life difficult for opposing players with his length and quickness. The aforementioned Lopez and Portis are fine centers in their own right, but these are simply not areas of the game that they are able to affect.
In a recent game against the Clippers, Sims’ impact was on full display. While he only recorded two rebounds in limited minutes, his athleticism and mobility were evident every time he stepped on the court. He switched onto guards, contested shots at the rim, and set solid screens, all while playing with the kind of energy and effort that energizes his teammates.
Sims’ skill set is a perfect fit for the Milwaukee Bucks, who have been searching for an athletic big man to complement Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. His ability to protect the rim, switch onto smaller players, and provide a lob threat gives the Bucks a level of versatility they’ve been missing all season. And while his stat line might not be flashy, his impact on the court has been undeniable.
Jericho Sims might not stuff the stat sheet, but he’s quietly making the impact the Bucks envisioned when they traded for him. If Sims can continue to contribute at this level, he could be the X-factor the Milwaukee Bucks need to make a deep playoff run.
The Bucks have found a hidden gem in Jericho Sims. Now it’s up to Doc Rivers to give him the minutes he deserves—and up to Sims to prove he belongs in the rotation. The Milwaukee Bucks’ championship hopes could depend on it.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.