D-League standout Sims plans to make time in the NBA count

NEW YORK -- On Tuesday, Courtney Sims was playing for the Iowa Energy of the D-League. The next day, he was sitting between Grant Hill and Jason Richardson in the visitors' locker room at Madison Square Garden.

After finding out where Sims went to college, it didn't take long for the vets to start busting on the Michigan grad.

"We averaged about 45 points per win against Michigan," said Richardson, who went to Michigan State and won an NCAA title there.

"We never lost to Michigan," said Hill, whose Duke Blue Devils were 5-0 against Michigan during his college career, including a win over the Wolverines for the 1992 NCAA title.

Sims couldn't do anything but smile. Yet who could blame him? Sims, who is considered one of the D-League's top prospects by NBA general managers and scouts, was averaging 22.4 points and a D-League leading 11.4 boards per game when the Suns made him the fourth Gatorade Call-Up this season.

By signing Sims to a 10-day contract, the Suns now have the NBA-minimum 13 players on their roster. Although he is the 13th man and was Phoenix's only inactive player on Wednesday, Sims feels lucky to be in the NBA.

"It's a blessing from God," Sims said. "I used to cheer for these guys like Grant Hill, Shaq and Steve Nash, when I was a little kid. It's just a blessing. I'm here to learn and gain from their experience and how they handle their business on the court."

Sims says he's not feeling any nerves despite the brevity of his contract.

"It's not something I think about," said Sims, who appeared in three games for the Pacers last season. "I will just take the time I know I'm going to have and use it to my advantage, and just be a sponge.

"There are a lot of veterans on this team that have been superstars their entire career, so I get to take little pieces from their game and try to mold them into mine and see how it works."

Sims and new teammate Alando Tucker, who has played 23 games in two years in the D-League, shared a light moment when Tucker reminded Sims that he could get an extra pair of socks (or two) up here in the Association. Tucker, who was a Suns 2007 first-round draft pick, also shared some advice.

"I've talked to a lot of guys who've signed 10-days," Tucker said, "and I've told them their window of opportunity is short. So, every chance you get, whether it's practice or in the weight room, any chance you get to impress the guys, you have to take advantage of that opportunity."

Suns coach Terry Porter liked what he saw of Sims.

"What he did in the D-League caught our eye, that's why we called him up," Porter said. "It's just a matter of taking a look at him now. It may be tough for him to get some playing time, but we'll see him in practice.

"But we're aware of what he did in the D-League. We're always interested in young talent and we'd like to get him in a couple practices to see what he's like."

And that'll be one of Sims' challenges: to be himself.

"Too many players try to do things outside of the player they are," Tucker said. "They try to impress the coaches. But they bring you up for a reason. I think you have to try to do the things you normally do on the court.

"He put up some numbers in the D-League. So he needs to continue to do what got him here."

Like all D-Leaguers, Sims wants to stick in the NBA, but is appreciative of the opportunity the D-League afforded him.

"You get to try different stuff to see what your game is," the 6-foot-11 Sims said. "When I came out of college, I was more of a back-to-the-basket type of player. Now, I'm more of a face-up player.

"But you really get to develop your game and your skills. Nick Nurse, my coach in Iowa, I think is the best coach in the D-League. He really worked with me after practices to help with my skills and he lets me try that in games, so that really helps my confidence."

Sims now gets 10 days to test those skills against some of the best basketball players in the world. After that week-and-a-half, Sims may get a chance at another 10-day deal.

One thing's for sure. He can keep the socks.