'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.
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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