When Knicks rookie center Jericho Sims gave his first interview as a Knick in August during summer-league practices in Las Vegas, the Texas big man was short on words.
A five-word answer was considered a Sims’ soliloquy. But while Sims gives short responses, he is long and active on the court — ever since summer league.
With Nerlens Noel injured with a sore knee and Mitchell Robinson still rehabbing from a broken foot, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has taken a longer look at Sims, who is under a two-way contract after being selected 58th in the draft. The two-way deal means he can’t play in more than 50 NBA games, though the pact can be converted later in the season.
Derrick Rose, who has emerged as a true leader, has noticed Sims’ shyness and is working on it. It’s ironic because Rose was never known as a chatty Cathy in his younger days. But Rose has emerged as by far the Knicks’ best quote. (He won the Knicks Media Good Guy Award in his first stint in 2016-17.)
“He’s a great big,’’ Rose said in Washington after the Knicks routed the Wizards. “He has lot of potential. He’s an introvert. I can tell so, I can relate to him. We have that relationship where I can see it.’’
Asked if Sims is as quiet with his teammates as he’s been with the media, Rose said, “He talks, but it’s something I can see in him. My job of being a vet is trying to get him to break out of his shell. As a big, you have to be able to talk and communicate. Thibs is not going to allow him to be quiet on the court. It’s my job to help.’’
Sims is a live body with a lot of hops. He can rebound and score in a few ways with inside touch. It’s mystifying how he fell to No. 58. In the preseason opener versus Indiana, Sims threw down to two alley-oop lobs on his way to eight points and six rebounds in 25 minutes.
In Washington on Saturday, Sims, coming off the bench for starter Taj Gibson, hauled in 13 rebounds, added seven points, including a nifty turnaround in the lane that Robinson and Noel probably dream about in their sleep.
“I told him no matter what if I I got the ball, if I jump in the air, always pay attention to me before I get rid of the ball,’’ Rose said. “Sometimes I may jump in the air as a fake to get a pass to him. I’ve told him always keep your eye on me so you can get easy baskets.’’
Tom Thibodeau’s trust in second-year man Obi Toppin is soaring. He was impressed by how hard he worked over the summer, spending countless days in Tarrytown.
Toppin started for Julius Randle at power forward Saturday, went scoreless in the first half, getting into early foul trouble. When he picked up his fourth foul on the first defensive possession of the second half, Thibodeau stuck with Toppin.
That shows the trust factor and it paid off as Toppin put together a 13-point second half. Thibdoeau, who was concerned entering last season’s Atlanta playoff series about using Toppin because of defensive lapses, is buying in.
“It’s not just offensive plays but I thought he had good defensive plays,’’ Thibodeau said of Toppin’s Saturday performance. “We talked about his offensive improvement but the defensive end has gotten better. That’s important for us. When he’s on the floor, the team functions well. He moves the ball side to side probably better than anyone on the team.’’