Knicks' Quentin Grimes Hints At Slam Dunk 'Surprises' From Jericho Sims

Having served as a star attraction in Friday's event, Quentin Grimes foresees further New York Knicks fireworks from his interior teammate.

Even if Quentin Grimes doesn't come out to help when Jericho Sims takes to the Vivint Arena hardwood on Saturday night, he'll have an undeniable impact on the Slam Dunk Contest campaign nonetheless.

Grimes, perhaps, generated the largest wave of momentum for his New York Knicks teammate's inclusion in the annual exhibition, part of All-Star Saturday in Salt Lake City (8 p.m. ET, TNT). During a New York road trip to Washington D.C., Grimes posted a video of Sims' famed vertical, which stands as one of the highest recorded at the NBA Draft Combine, on his Instagram page as the Knicks practiced at Georgetown University. 

Quentin Grimes to Jericho Sims on IG: “BRO WHAT ?!?!?😳😳😳“ pic.twitter.com/yre4YtomTR

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 12, 2023

Now that Sims has made it, Grimes offered a preview of what was to come once the 6-foot-10 big man takes the floor in Saturday's final vent. 

“I’ve seen a couple of the dunks he’s going to do already, so I feel you’re gonna be surprised on what he’s going to do [Saturday] night,” Grimes said on Friday, per Alder Almo of Empire Sports Media. "What we’re going to see from him tomorrow will be pretty special. He’s got like two dunks that will probably get you out of your seats for sure.”

The vision of Grimes, and countless Knicks fans, was fulfilled when Portland's Shaedon Sharpe dropped out of the original quartet, allowing Sims a chance to defend New York's representation amongst the dunking elite. Manhattan also hosts the reigning champion Obi Toppin, one of three Knicks that have hoisted the Dunk Contest's hardware (joining Kenny Walker and the only three-time champion Nate Robinson).

Appropriately, Grimes was also invited to the All-Star celebrations in Salt Lake City, though he's far from a mere spectator. Grimes played a major role in the Jordan Rising Stars event, standing out amongst the NBA's rookies and sophomores with 27 points in two games, repping a team led by honorary coach and former Knick Joakim Noah. 

A loss in the final round to a team led by Pau Gasol likely denied Grimes MVP honors (which went to Jose Alvarado of New Orleans), but he was nonetheless grateful for the opportunity.

"It was great. It was everything I could have imaged watching it as a kid growing up, all the stars coming into this game and going on in their great career," Grimes said. "I couldn't ask for a better night for me really."

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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