Anfernee Simons is unbelievable

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blazerfan11 said:
I watched the 1st quarter of the Memphis game again and Anfernee Simons was guarding Ja Morant most of the first 6:00 and did a better job than anyone else defending him. On one possession Morant drove close to the hoop and Simons stripped the ball but it rolled out of bounds off Simons. On that same possession, Simons went under a screen near the 3-point line and Morant hit the 3-pointer. Those are the only points I've seen scored by Morant on Simons.

In the second 6:00 of the 1st quarter, Simons wasn't defending Morant and that's when Morant started going off.
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I do remember noticing at one point in the first half that on 3 consecutive times down the court, 3 different Blazers started out guarding Ja as he crossed half court. Hart, Winslow, and one other that I can't remember....... but it wasn't Ant. It made no difference...
 
Ants midrange is already incredible and some would say even unbelievable.

He’s at 48% from 3-22 ft. That rivals CP3’s midrange. Dame for example is 40% career. Ant’s got a floater, something Dame never mastered. That’s so valuable as it gives you an extra option.

Ant’s close in mid-range is over 50% this year, while Dame’s career is 33%.

I also think Ant is fundamentally a better passer than Dame. That floater and his lethal midrange in general allows him to play slower in the paint whereas Dame, once he’s attacking the rim he’s going all out full speed which makes seeing teammates and passing out more difficult.

His 3 point release is the closest thing I’ve seen to Steph Curry. Shooting on the way up is supposed to be scientifically the best form as it makes good use of the legs.

But none of that can offset getting to the line like Dame does and padding your TS% with 90% shots. He’s got to add add that.
 
e_blazer said:
The Suns are currently ranked #1 in most power rankings. The start a 6’0” PG and a 6’5” SG who is a well known defensive deficit player, particularly in defending P&Rs. Dame is 2” taller than CP3 and has a higher vertical. Ant is listed at just 1” shorter than Booker and has a 6” higher vertical. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a Dame/Ant pairing if they both work hard on defense. The fact that they can roll with the bigger Hart when needed makes this whole issue moot as far as I’m concerned.
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As far as my 9 year old nephew is concerned, the Blazers are the world champions! Of course in reality they haven't put together a contending roster in his lifetime and then some. Also in reality, it doesn't matter what a player is listed. What matters far more is how big players actually are. In their respective pre-draft measurements Booker measured 2.25" taller then Ant did. He was also 20 lbs heavier and had a 3" standing reach advantage. Of course you know this as you're cherry picking stats from pre-draft measurements and their listings to arrive at a desired conclusion.

Both Ant and Dame are tremendous PG sized talents and play best with the ball in their hands. I'm hoping this offseason Portland makes the necessary moves to put together a roster with talents that compliment each other and become a contender again.

STOMP
 
blazerfan11 said:
Sports Illustrated
https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2022/02/24/anfernee-simons-blazers-next-great-point-guard
The Rise of Portland’s Next Great Guard
With Damian Lillard sidelined and CJ McCollum traded, Anfernee Simons is shining for the Trail Blazers.

https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2022/02/24/anfernee-simons-blazers-next-great-point-guard
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"Under first-year coach Chauncey Billups, Simons feels as if he has been given the opportunity to play through his mistakes"

No shit, Stotts never allowed young guys to make mistakes without pulling them out of the game. Meanwhile some other guys could play as bad as they wanted without ever getting benched
 
SIeepwalker said:
"Under first-year coach Chauncey Billups, Simons feels as if he has been given the opportunity to play through his mistakes"

No shit, Stotts never allowed young guys to make mistakes without pulling them out of the game. Meanwhile some other guys could play as bad as they wanted without ever getting benched
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To be fair stotts couldn't afford to lose games his teams had expectations and not making the playoffs was unacceptable.
 
It's also much easier for a coach to allow Ant to "play thru his mistakes" when Dennis Smith is the alternative than when Dame is the alternative
 
Kid has above average skills in several areas

3pt shooting
Elite ball handling
Can jump out of the gym
Great floater

Needs to continue to improve in these areas
Defense
Drives to basket and finishing
Continue to improve his passing/pg skills

Has all the skills needed to be a star. Going to sit back and enjoy watching his growth.
 
I'm sorry for this moment of weakness because I am trying to just let things happen with our team and see what it becomes but can someone name me one great championship team who had their top two players that were even close to redundant? I mean, just find me one. Ant is not a solid defender and he is much better with the ball in his hands than he is off the ball on offense. He's small. I just don't know. We'll see how it looks at some point, I'm sure of that but I don't like how it feels like it's going to be.
 
blazerkor said:
I'm sorry for this moment of weakness because I am trying to just let things happen with our team and see what it becomes but can someone name me one great championship team who had their top two players that were even close to redundant? I mean, just find me one. Ant is not a solid defender and he is much better with the ball in his hands than he is off the ball on offense. He's small. I just don't know. We'll see how it looks at some point, I'm sure of that but I don't like how it feels like it's going to be.
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Nurkic was also a top player on the team. He was doing so well they decided to give him a vacation. Nassir Little was also having a big impact at the time he was injured. I think it's too early to say Simons will be the second best player next season, even if he is the second leading scorer.
 
blazerfan11 said:
Nurkic was also a top player on the team. He was doing so well they decided to give him a vacation. Nassir Little was also having a big impact at the time he was injured. I think it's too early to say Simons will be the second best player next season, even if he is the second leading scorer.
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It's also probably too early to say that our back court will once again be a gaping hole for opposing offenses to run through and shoot over like they aren't there but that doesn't keep me from thinking it.
 
blazerkor said:
It's also probably too early to say that our back court will once again be a gaping hole for opposing offenses to run through and shoot over like they aren't there but that doesn't keep me from thinking it.
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I bet you Ant improves on defense over the summer in significant fashion Id bet up to average defense. Lillard probably will be able to increase it to average D if he gets more rest with Ant as a competent replacement at PG which CJ was not at all.

Cj was shoot first and tunnel vision for days. This will make a huge difference for the team and also for Dame in terms of rest. I don’t know how many times I’d see CJ spell Dame and just get tunnel vision and singlehandedly piss away the lead by looking for his own shot and missing open shooters, cutters and trailers. Ant isnt like that which means Dame gets more rest.

I believe with more rest and a healthy body Dame will play Average defense. I think with his foot speed and lateral quickness and length Ant has the potential to become a good defender. And it seems he has the perfect coach and buy-in. Give it until midseason or even next offseason to see how things change.
 
blazerkor said:
I'm sorry for this moment of weakness because I am trying to just let things happen with our team and see what it becomes but can someone name me one great championship team who had their top two players that were even close to redundant? I mean, just find me one.
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LeBron and Wade were pretty redundant. They only overcame it, and just barely so, because their talent level was so superior to everyone else's. So, it's not really a formula to follow, but it is one example.
 
blazerkor said:
I'm sorry for this moment of weakness because I am trying to just let things happen with our team and see what it becomes but can someone name me one great championship team who had their top two players that were even close to redundant?
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Let's think about it the other way. Has there ever been a team with two stars that could both get their own shot, create for others, and stretch the floor as well as Dame and Ant? I'd say no. You get two of the three with the Steph and Klay, and Klay's defense outweighs Ant's shot creation/distribution probably, but I think we can create something unique.
 
handiman said:
LeBron and Wade were pretty redundant. They only overcame it, and just barely so, because their talent level was so superior to everyone else's. So, it's not really a formula to follow, but it is one example.
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True, but each were very bad perimeter shooters. The spacing with Dame and Ant will be far better.
 
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