[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

 After winning at least a share of 5 straight Atlantic-10 regular season championships, The Xavier Muskateers presence looms large throughout the conference.  Tonight that presence got even bigger with the addition of the world’s biggest interior post player, Sim Bhullar.  The Huntington Prep/CIA Bounce 7-5 center has made enormous strides in his game over the past two years and can change the game with his ability to protect the rim and the paint.     

 

Accordiing to Sim "After going through the recruiting process I finally made my decision and chose Xavier.  It was a great situation for me and I felt extremely comfortable with the coaching staff and family there."

 

It helped that the Muskateers currently have a  7-0, 270 pound center on the roster who came in needing similar changes in his body to become successful.  Kenny Frease has come a long way since arriving on campus and as a junior posted numbers of 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 55% shooting from the field.  "They envision me being like Kenny Frease.  We came in with similar body types and they completely remodeled his body.  Now he’s killing and will probably have a chance to go to the NBA.  Seeing how they got him to buy in and get into that kind of shape and the way they worked with him in the beginning showed me that the Xavier staff could help me, and motivated me to get better."

 

Sim is currently playing on the summer circuit with CIA Bounce.  He’s been much more active than we’ve seen in the past, showing improved feet at both the Nike EYBL Hampton and the Hoop Group Pitt Jam Fest.   He’s making strides in his ability to react quicker, and the amount of time it takes him to recover in the paint.  He’s been invited to tryout for the U19 Canadian National team and will be invited to once again participate in June’s All-Canada Classic.    

 

Check out these highlights by ONE ENT of Sim from last summer.

by Nolan Shulman, FlagrantFouls.com

http://www.flagrantfouls.com/2011/04/simsation-picks-a10-powerhouse/

 

 

(My take): It is early, and it could change, but this could be a nice grab for Xavier. Sim may not end up being a great NBA prospect, but in college, when you have someone 7’5 holding their arms up in the middle of a zone, it is a major obstruction. His conditioning will more than likely be an issue, and he may only play 20-25 mins per game, but during those minutes, but in those minutes he should be a force. I know he has improved a lot as a player, and lets face it, when you are 7’5, you will more than likely be getting a couple easy buckets per game.

[The_Juice11Participant]

i wonder if he has any post moves..LITERALLY everything was him just catching it and dunking.

[Michael.S.Participant]

When your 7-5 everything he’s doing just seems…….unimpressive.

I wonder how the game is even fun for him…

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Man, look at this way, if you were in Sim’s shoes, you might see things entirely differently. You work with what you have, and Sim has a gift and a curse. The gift of course is his height, but it is also a curse. I have always been a fan of post play, and have always wanted to be tall, but genetics never allowed that to happen. However, I am realistic, and realize that human psychology along with physical limitations exist to make things incredibly hard for a number of basketball players, regardless of height.

Sim is expected to be dominant everytime he steps on the floor, and if he is not, than people automatically label him as a bad player. He and his brother are both big kids, they have a little extra baggage to go along with the fact they are ridiculously tall (Tanveer is 7’3). So, people see that and say, "man, they are lazy, if I were that big I would be in much better shape". My answer is, yeah, right. Do you have any idea what it is like to walk in their shoes? The knee problems and foot problems one would face, not to mention the constant recognition that many tall people find incredibly tiresome (though some take it in stride).

I know we all love basketball on here, and we would all like to be the best player possible, so we see a huge person and say, "well, I would be able to do more if I had that persons size". Seriously, people who say that have no idea. It must be incredibly hard for him to run up and down the court, and his speed will never come close to being elite. Regardless of how physically fit Sim becomes, he will more than likely never be an elite athlete, that is another part of the curse of being that tall. Of players over 7’5, Yao Ming was the only one who people saw as being skilled, and look at all of the injuries that befell him. It is hard man, which is why height for centers is below a long list of other attributes, particularly now with centers having speed and agility.

His post moves are more than likely incredibly limited, in every tape I have seen him and every game I have seen him play, he pretty much just is good for a couple of dunks and lay-ups. But, at the HS and college level, a person of Sims size is going to be a hugely dominant presence in spurts. The guy can probably touch the rim on his tip toes. Remember Kenny George?

 

Yeah, most people remember Psycho T dunking on him due to the fact that in a foot race, Kenny was cooked (Sim will be a target as well). But, know what else? UNC-Asheville had that inbounds play that was good for a few cheap buckets every game. Not to mention, Kenny was good for a few more swats than posterizations. To me, Xavier would be getting a similar entity, and hopefully Sim does not have the same tragic circumstances that lead to Kenny losing a foot and a chance at the NBA. He and Tanveer just look to be incredibly tall, which is could still mean injury concerns, but at the same time, they do not both appear to have petituitary issues.

So, I am hoping people can kind of look at things from a different way. Yes, it looks easy, but it is not as easy as you think. If it was, Sim Bhullar would be the top rated player in his class. But, instead, he is a project who could turn into a potential force in spurts for one of the more exciting "mid-high major" teams in college basketball. I am definitely hoping that he does well, but I know to definitely temper my expectations and that while he more than likely will be playing basketball somewhere after college, he might not have what it takes for the NBA. Slavko Vranes, Kosta Perovic, Martynas Andriskevicius (Think I butchered the spelling) and of course, Pavel Poldkolzine all have shown us that being ridiculously tall does not at all lead to definite pro success, especially in the NBA. But, they are all pros because when you are tall, you can sometimes be really tough to shoot over and can get some garbage buckets. Sim will be and do that in college as long as he is healthy.

[JordanC20Participant]

I highly doubt he plays over 20 minutes.

He will probably play about 10-15 mins and average 2 blocks or so but I don’t see either one of the Bhullar’s making the NBA.

[PureshooterParticipant]

The big questions with guys of his size are in regards to stamina and mobility.  Specifically, can he make it up and down the floor to play defense, or will his guy have layup after layup in transition?

[OhCanada-Participant]

In my opinion Sim sucks. It is annoying to see how unpassionate and disinterest in the game he can be. Would it hurt to develop a post game?  i think he has little mid range jumper going, he has pretty soft hands, does not attack agressively, and is very soft, Ive seen footage of players a foot smaller then him ntimidating him after he talked trash "like a Chris Bosh moment". His brother is a bit smaller and a bit more mobile and interested. They will get a shot in the NBA no matter what, maybe not spot..

[canesboy6Participant]

I’ve heard Tanveer is alot better. I think Its an interesting expiriment, especially for a physical team like Xavier. He has his drawbacks, certainly, but just standing there and putting his hands up makes him a unique challange for every opponent on both ends of the floor. It will be interesting to see what they can do with him. He appears to have about 50 unneccesary pounds on him so who knows where they can get him if he can drop those.

[canesboy6Participant]

I’ve heard Tanveer is alot better. I think Its an interesting expiriment, especially for a physical team like Xavier. He has his drawbacks, certainly, but just standing there and putting his hands up makes him a unique challange for every opponent on both ends of the floor. It will be interesting to see what they can do with him. He appears to have about 50 unneccesary pounds on him so who knows where they can get him if he can drop those.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Did you read anything I wrote in my second post? It is hard being 7’5 and as big as he is man. He might not like basketball, it is hard moving his body up the court and I am sure it is hard moving in general. Give the guy a chance at least before totally trashing him, it is still very obvious that he is learning aspects of the game, and while his size may make certain things easier for him, it honestly can not be easy being as big as Sim Bhullar. 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

It is not necessarily easy being big, take a look at this guy. He is a 2012 prospect who is actually TALLER than Sim Bhullar! Mamdou Ndjoye is 7’6, and I stumbled upon him trying to do research on some prospects. I have yet to even see the front of his face, but from the side, it does not look all good. Nonetheless, the only clip I have found of him is a monster throw down, that of course looks easy. The odds are that Mamadou is not much of a prospect, and I really hope the best for his health, but maybe he ends up getting his education paid for playing basketball. When you are as tall as he or Sim, they can at least provide an intimidating target to shoot over in practice.

 

[knicksfan7Participant]

@Mikey

On Mamdou Ndjoye I saw the clip too. I know neither of us are doctors, but what do you think that is a case of exactly. I hope his health will be alright as well.

 

As for Sim too early to say anything personally it comes down to desire, and by his body idk how much he has. Though, he does have the potential to have a successful career at Xavier if used right, and I am sure Coach Mack and his staff will do that.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

http://www.ballislife.com/video/76-mamadou-ndjoye-dunks-all

Guess the vid did not end up posting, but here it is. I think he suffers from acromegaly, and from what I have heard, he is definitely not considered a long term basketball prospect. He is huge, but I think their are problems there that will prevent him from having much of a basketball career and make it incredibly difficult for him to play at a higher level. Gheorghe Muresan was similar, it used to be painful to watch him run the court. Him playing through that was just impressive. I know things can be done to help stem the growth, but the odds are that it is a condition that makes athletic competition incredibly difficult.

[knicksfan7Participant]

mikeyv he suffers from gigantism because acromegaly is suffered by adults, and this guy is like what 16-17. I don’t think that is considered an adult yet, but idk.

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