Thursday, 26 June 2014

THE RISE OF SIM BHULLAR - 'Bhullar-ying' the Odds


'Bhullar-ying' the Odds
By Jaspreet Grewal

     The NBA's game has evolved immensely over the past decade.  It seems that the center position, one which used to foster many seven footers, is slowly reaching its demise. From countless teams governing a small ball system of approach - both Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James played a chunk of minutes at the power forward slot- to the league completely ridding the center position from the all-star candidacy ballot, the NBA has become somewhat fastidious toward seven footers. The new breed of basketball seems a lot more entertaining - with the constant transition plays, 3 point shooting and creative ball handling- but it's also a detriment to anyone over 6'11" who may lack the mobility, versatility and adequate skills to keep up with the smaller guys.
     Sim Bhullar, a 7,5" center from North York, Ontario - who has opted for the NBA draft after two years at New Mexico State - is looking to defeat the odds. His height at 7,5" coupled with his 350 pound frame can be somewhat taxing on his physical and mental psyche. Going against the best players in the world will prove to be an even tougher challenge for Bhullar if he's drafted on June 26th.
Bhullar going up strong against two SDSU defenders
     His numbers at New Mexico State weren't eye popping- he averaged around 10 ppg, 8 rpg and 3 bpg- but it's his physical presence that can create problems for the opposition. In college, his lack of mobility and overall quickness was masked by zone defenses and lesser talented players. In the NBA, those flaws and weaknesses may quickly get exposed. If Bhullar wants to make an impact in the NBA, he will need sufficient conditioning and strength training. He's got the foundational tools to be somewhat of a decent offensive player, but added strength will only better his game and, in whole, create longevity.
     However, for Bhullar, it seems that his size isn't the only challenge he's faced against. If drafted, Bhullar will become the first ever NBA player of Indian and Sikh descent. Not only does this create a potential niche (basketball) market in India, but it also forges a precedent for Indian Diasporas all over the world (displaced populations) who may use basketball as a tool of unity (kind of like soccer with the World Cup). Generally, India has found its success in regional sports such as cricket and kabaddi (a wrestling type sport), but very seldom has the country gone out of its comfort zone within the realm of athletics. The drafting of Bhullar may ignite a domino effect which, with hope, will encourage others of Indian descent to pursue basketball as a possible career or even as a conduit to free education.
     For Bhullar, carrying the title of the 'largest player' in the NBA is no big deal -he's been the biggest guy in the room throughout most of his life; however, embodying the title of 'first ever Indian NBA player' is unparalleled, literally; the historical significance is immense. We saw it with Yao Ming but to a much larger degree (Ming wasn't the first Chinese national to play in the NBA - see Wang Zhizhi - but the hype surrounding him brought forth a lot of attention and popularity).
 Bhullar may not carry with him the same acclaim and hype that tailed Ming throughout his short tenure in the NBA, but he still has the power to influence and encourage young (Indian) children to pick up a basketball, to give the sport a chance. The population of India stands at 1.2 billion (plus) people -not including Diasporas- therefore, it's almost inevitable that someone of Indian descent will be influenced by Bhullar's basketball accomplishments or, hopefully, by his impact in the NBA.
     Globalizing the sport of basketball has been pivotal to the success and popularity of the sport wordwide. Ambassadors such as Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming are monumental to the progression and dissemination of the sport, particularly in parts of the world where basketball has yet to make ground.
   While the NBA's popularity continues to increase, it's almost certain that more and more international players will commit to or at least try out the game of basketball. With the 'Basketball Without Borders' program -and the other many globalization efforts (e.g., programs, games and etc.) exercised by the NBA - it's almost inevitable that the NBA's dream of having a global league will soon come to fruition. In the mean time, many Indians all over the world will be waiting patiently for June 26th in hopes of hearing Commissioner Adam Silver call out Bhullar's name. As an Indo-Canadian myself, Thursday couldn't come any sooner.


Photo Citation

     Ocker, Kenny. Sim Bhullar. Digital image. Rush The Court. N.p., 21 Mar. 2014. Web. 23 June 2014.

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