Suns sign Courtney Sims to 10 day contract

[Tully365]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/articles/2009/01/19/20090119sunssims-CR.html



Courtney Sims just played his final game for the Iowa Energy for a while.

After the Suns D-League affiliate's game today, Sims is flying out of Des Moines to join the Suns on Tuesday in New York City, where he will sign a 10-day contract to get Phoenix back to the NBA 13-man roster minimum.

Sims, 25, is a 6-foot-11, 230-pound center for Iowa who can play power forward and center and is a particularly good pick-and-pop player. He has improved his game since last year, when he made 11 minutes worth of appearances over three games with the Indiana Pacers before finishing his season with Iowa.

He has gone from coming off the bench last season for 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game to being the D-League's leading rebounder and third-leading scorer entering Monday's games. Today, he made a last-second turnaround to tie the game against Fort Wayne, only to have an alleyoop beat the Energy at the buzzer.

Sims, a former Michigan star, was in New Orleans' training camp this fall.

Sims hit a last-second turnaround for Iowa today, only to have the Energy lose.

The Suns can sign Sims to a maximum of two 10-day contracts before they either have to sign another player or sign him for the remainder of the season. The Suns could continue to cycle various players on 10-day contracts for the remainder of the season.

Tuesday was the deadline for Phoenix to fill its roster after waiving Dee Brown two weeks ago.

[Bruno]

I will be really curious to see what he can do after all the hype he gets.

[Thunder Dan]

This is the move that will put the Suns over the top

[Austin_Toros]

too bad, spurs fans

[timvp]

If Sims actually pans out, expect a SpursTalk meltdown of epic proportions.

[EricB]

If Sims actually pans out, expect a SpursTalk meltdown of epic proportions.

They will melt down at just this news...

[024]

i'm sure the spurs considered sims before signing croshere. all the signs point to sims being a good rebounder and shot blocker yet no team has signed him before this. sims must have some kind of flaw. if he does become a solid bigman, then a meltdown would be justified.

[xtremesteven33]

Spurs dont sign young guys. Shouldnt yall know that by know??

[kace]

If Sims actually pans out, expect a SpursTalk meltdown of epic proportions.

:lol

The spurs FO should be praying for Sims not to do well otherwise they will be bashed here till we win it all again.

[Gino2882]

:lol

The spurs FO should be praying for Sims not to do well otherwise they will be bashed here till we win it all again.

Bashed even IF they do win.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Hey, at least we picked up an over-the-hill three point shooting forward with subpar rebounding skills and decreasing mobility. So it's not a total loss.

[Biggems]

this is horrible.

[HarlemHeat37]

LOL..I don't mind this at all..he looked like he didn't deserve the hype in the games that I saw, and that he wouldn't give the team what you guys keep asking for in a big man..

besides..if the Suns acquire somebody, that automatically means they're going to disappoint..

[superbigtime]

I just don't understand why we didn't sign this guy for 10 days. Is someone asleep at the wheel or is there a real reason?

[Russ]

Did Sims and Mahinmi ever go head to head in the D league?

If so, what happened?

[angelbelow]

if hes active weve got a good chance to see him tonight. suns are getting ripped by the celtics.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I just don't understand why we didn't sign this guy for 10 days. Is someone asleep at the wheel or is there a real reason?

That is the question inside many a Spurs fans' head.

[m33p0]

if he does pan out, shaq will now be able to play point guard which is what he always wanted. :D

[Xylus]

This epic signing is obviously distracting the Suns tonight.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Hey, at least we picked up an over-the-hill three point shooting forward with subpar rebounding skills and decreasing mobility. So it's not a total loss.

:lmao

Sadly, I think the answer may lie here... first Tolliver, then Croshere as the 5th big, even though Bonner is already there. What does this tell us? Pop seems to want to have 2 outside shooting bigs on the roster at all times. Why? Who the fuck knows. Maybe, hopefully, he's content that Ian will start playing soon so we don't need the athletic inside big we're all pining for. Or maybe he's realised that we can only win through scoring this year (perish the thought...). Or maybe he's going senile. When you are talking about CIA, who knows?

[galvatron3000]

If Sims actually pans out, expect a SpursTalk meltdown of epic proportions.

Ah man:rollin

[Ice009]

Right now this score more and sacrifice a little Defense is turning into no Defense and Offensive droughts.

I would have much rather have had great Defense with scoring droughts than no Defense with scoring droughts.

Spurs D MUST get better.

[m33p0]

:lmao

Sadly, I think the answer may lie here... first Tolliver, then Croshere as the 5th big, even though Bonner is already there. What does this tell us? Pop seems to want to have 2 outside shooting bigs on the roster at all times. Why? Who the fuck knows. Maybe, hopefully, he's content that Ian will start playing soon so we don't need the athletic inside big we're all pining for. Or maybe he's realised that we can only win through scoring this year (perish the thought...). Or maybe he's going senile. When you are talking about CIA, who knows?
that's my belief but its a frail belief.

[pawe]

:lmao

Sadly, I think the answer may lie here... first Tolliver, then Croshere as the 5th big, even though Bonner is already there. What does this tell us? Pop seems to want to have 2 outside shooting bigs on the roster at all times. Why? Who the fuck knows. Maybe, hopefully, he's content that Ian will start playing soon so we don't need the athletic inside big we're all pining for. Or maybe he's realised that we can only win through scoring this year (perish the thought...). Or maybe he's going senile. When you are talking about CIA, who knows?

OR they're probably trying to trade Bonner hence the signing of AC since they're of the same mold.
Meh, who knows what the heck the FO's thinking, I know they know that Sims is available but there's a reason why they didnt pick him up.

[mogrovejo]

The Suns are desperate for a half-decent backup big. Picking Robin Lopez was an horrible move.

Sims is not a NBA player.

[ChumpDumper]

Sims played the Toros on Saturday. He scored and blocked well because he was taller and longer than anyone else out there. Andre Brown and Charles Gaines really bullied him under the basket and on the boards. The Toros have one of the most physical frontlines in the D-League, so used that as a gauge for how Sims might perform in the NBA. I think he'll be a nice help defender and decent high post scorer, but he'll need to bulk and toughen up to stay with the bigger boys down low.

[mrspurs]

They signed him so we couldnt. They have plenty of bigs in Phoenix.

[Bruno]

I just don't understand why we didn't sign this guy for 10 days. Is someone asleep at the wheel or is there a real reason?

The likely reason is that Spurs didn't consider him as an interesting project. Sims stayed nearly two months putting great stats in D-League before being called up. Spurs weren't the only team to have doubts about him.

[galvatron3000]

The likely reason is that Spurs didn't consider him as an interesting project. Sims stayed nearly two months putting great stats in D-League before being called up. Spurs weren't the only team to have doubts about him.

Yeah, but given that the Spurs need a big I don't see why given a guy who was putting up great numbers a look, just give him a look. You gave Farmer a look, ahearn a look and now Croshere and none of those guys except Farmer at the time filled a need. Croshere doesn't fill a need and Ahearn came right after Marbury made the statement that he was interested in joining the Spurs, but with the Spurs big man lineup suffering from injury we are just a Tim Duncan injury away from being out of the playoffs running and one Big man away from being a serious title FAVORITE, not just contender.


a ten day contract seems to make since but I will state this, I haven't seen Sims play I have no clue what his talent level is, whether or not he's quick or intelligient on the court but I saw his numbers and they were impressive and worth a look. I do believe there is a reason it took this guy awhile to get signed, Phoenix can take that chance as could lots of teams so who knows.

[wildbill2u]

Hey, at least we picked up an over-the-hill three point shooting forward with subpar rebounding skills and decreasing mobility. So it's not a total loss.

Who? Did we sign Samaki again?

[pauls931]

I have not idea what's going on... So there's some big with mental issues that the Spurs fans wanted and the Suns are signing to a 10 day contract?

[Bruno]

Yeah, but given that the Spurs need a big I don't see why given a guy who was putting up great numbers a look, just give him a look.

Spurs give a look at Croshere, who is a big.

[galvatron3000]

Spurs give a look at Croshere, who is a big.

well not the kind I feel they need, Bonner is a big but you get what I mean I'm suure

[mogrovejo]

There's not a single thing Sims can do better than Croshere on a basketball court - except blocking shots if one disregards the high risk of fouling. And I doubt that even Cro will be very helpful to the Spurs.

There was a guy putting up big numbers in the D-League, Nick Fazekas. Played for the Mavs and the Clippers as well (like Sims played for the Pacers), remember? He wasn't good enough to the Belgian League, where some players aren't even full-time professionals. A terrible basketball player. Too much shortage of tall people in the Dleague for the numbers of 7fters to be meaningful.

[galvatron3000]

Yeah, I don't even know if Croshere is going to get a legitimate opportunity to be useful to the Spurs unless he catches fire when he does come into a game, shooting is a plus with the Bigs but rebounding and defensive positioning is the biggest area of concern and it's becoming more evident, you can skate through the regular season with patchup work like this but in the playoffs all your areas of weakness will be exploited by a good team.

That's my concern with signing Croshere, he is a vet and knows how to play I'm just not convinced, hopefully I'll be proven wrong and his hustle play with resurface with the Spurs.

[Bruno]

well not the kind I feel they need, Bonner is a big but you get what I mean I'm suure

I get what you mean.

Let's assume Spurs front office think like most of Spurs fans : Spurs need an athletic bigman who can rebounds, block shots, play good defense...

Sims is first in rebounds, third in blocks, third in scoring in D-League. He has a great size and is athletic. It seems like a no-brainer that Spurs give him a try.

The problem is that it isn't only a problem of need but a problem of level too. When I watched him in D-League, Sims didn't look really good and he is still a raw player.

[galvatron3000]

well not the kind I feel they need, Bonner is a big but you get what I mean I'm suure


There's not a single thing Sims can do better than Croshere on a basketball court - except blocking shots if one disregards the high risk of fouling. And I doubt that even Cro will be very helpful to the Spurs.

There was a guy putting up big numbers in the D-League, Nick Fazekas. Played for the Mavs and the Clippers as well (like Sims played for the Pacers), remember? He wasn't good enough to the Belgian League, where some players aren't even full-time professionals. A terrible basketball player. Too much shortage of tall people in the Dleague for the numbers of 7fters to be meaningful.


I get what you mean.

Let's assume Spurs front office think like most of Spurs fans : Spurs need an athletic bigman who can rebounds, block shots, play good defense...

Sims is first in rebounds, third in blocks, third in scoring in D-League. He has a great size and is athletic. It seems like a no-brainer that Spurs give him a try.

The problem is that it isn't only a problem of need but a problem of level too. When I watched him in D-League, Sims didn't look really good and he is still a raw player.



these are the kinds of comments I've been waiting to hear because I have not seen him play, I know little to nothing about the guy, just stats and I'm not one to push for him based on stats alone. I've been waiting to hear what his athletic level is and things like that. Based on what you've said it's no wonder he has taken such a while to get called up. I'd like to see him play, I think there's a free view for League Pass this week is there any chance any D league games will be on?

[urunobili]

The problem is that it isn't only a problem of need but a problem of level too. Do you think Malik is ready for the next level after seeing him?

[Bruno]

I'd like to see him play, I think there's a free view for League Pass this week is there any chance any D league games will be on?

Some D-League games are archived and you can watch them for free :
http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/webcast_archive_0708.html

Sims team was Iowa.

[Bruno]

Do you think Malik is ready for the next level after seeing him?

I haven't watch the last few Toros game where he did great but before these games, but before that he looked like a talented player who still needed some work on his game.

I guess the plan with him is to let him work on his game all this year with Toros (like with James White! in 2006-2007).

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

The Suns are desperate for a half-decent backup big. Picking Robin Lopez was an horrible move.

Sims is not a NBA player.

Neither is Lopez, so Sims will probably be an improvement over him considering the fact he can't be any worse than Lopez.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

They signed him so we couldnt. They have plenty of bigs in Phoenix.

I'm hoping that was a joke.

[Obstructed_View]

Spurs give a look at Croshere, who is a big.

Bigger than you ≠ Big

[FromWayDowntown]

Again, Sims is a guy who couldn't make the Hornets roster when that team broke camp. The Hornets aren't renowned for their depth at the 4 and 5. And they broke camp with only 14 players on their roster. It would suggest to me that a team that could have used the luxury of an extra big man to keep stashed in an inactive spot affirmatively chose to look for someone other than Courtney Sims.

Other teams that needed big man help chose against adding Sims for months now.

I'm thinking there must be a great deal of skepticism across the NBA about Sims' ability to play in the NBA.

[z0sa]

I'm hoping that was a joke.

mrspurs jokes so much no one takes him seriously anymore. I mean, thats the only way to explain his incredibly stupid takes.

[EricB]

Hes not that good people.

Why can't you realize that....

[Tully365]

I never thought that Sims would be the next David Robinson, or even the next Troy Murphy. But he certainly has a shot at being the next Ian Mahinmi, and given the fact that so many Spur fans were very excited about the prospect of Mahinmi playing this year, I don't see why there's such dark cynicism about the possibility that Sims might someday be a decent NBA bench player. Some Spur fans are now mocking Sims in the same way that Laker and Celtic fans mock Ian "The Savior" Mahinmi. There's no guarantee of course, but it doesn't seem implausible that Sims might one day give a respectable 8-15 mpg. Just as it doesn't seem implausible that Mahinmi will someday be able to contribute too.

[Austin_Toros]

Hey, at least we picked up an over-the-hill three point shooting forward with subpar rebounding skills and decreasing mobility. So it's not a total loss.

LOL :rollin

but seiously, I don't know why we couldn't sign Sims instead of Crochere.
Sims may not be an nba caliber player, but i think he had the potential to help the spurs in ways Crochere cannot- rebound, block, D etc.

I think Crochere is a waste of time and money.

Giving a lifeline to Sims may have turned out to fail, but I think that's a fail that would have been more worth it than Crochere.