For those of you who value analytics, Anfernee Simons is having one of the worst seasons of all time

[AldoTrapani]

Scoring points efficiently is a big deal. His defense is still bad but getting better. He rebounds well for a guard, especially for such a light-weight. In fact he grabs more rebounds per 36 than Carmelo and 2x as much as Gary. His rebounding is a good sign of bball savvy and anticipation.

Overall he’s nothing special... yet... but IF he can ever learn to finish around the rim I expect he will become a special player. He’s actually a very good passer, but having zero ability to finish around the rim, he can’t draw the defense to himself, so he has no one to pass to.

I hope your right

 

[GDiama]

Scoring points efficiently is a big deal. His defense is still bad but getting better. He rebounds well for a guard, especially for such a light-weight. In fact he grabs more rebounds per 36 than Carmelo and 2x as much as Gary. His rebounding is a good sign of bball savvy and anticipation.

Overall he’s nothing special... yet... but IF he can ever learn to finish around the rim I expect he will become a special player. He’s actually a very good passer, but having zero ability to finish around the rim, he can’t draw the defense to himself, so he has no one to pass to.

There is many bad finishers that can really pass the ball, I don't think that's a good excuse. And since he is a 40% 3 pt shooter you would think he could draw defense's attention so that he can beat the close out.

This is not directed only to you, but I don't understand why you try to defend him and hype things that are not there. He is not a good passer, if he was he would find a way to average more assists than 1.3. He is clearly a shooting guard and cannot help the team as it's playmaker. He just needs to be on spots to score and not try to create.

 

[Orion Bailey]

i really wonder who taught him to play this way. how can a guy who is so tenacious on the offensive glass and has perfect instincts on rebounding on that end be so poor on the other? his rim protection stats are easily amongst the worst in the league.

Would a real big man coach help?

When Kanter first came into his own it was backing up steven adams, at that time one of the best defending bigs in the league.

Is it possible ok. Said go out and get rebounds and points. Adams will anchor the defense with the first unit?

Is it possible all he worked on in okc was rebounding aNd putbacks?

 

[bobf]

There is many bad finishers that can really pass the ball, I don't think that's a good excuse. And since he is a 40% 3 pt shooter you would think he could draw defense's attention so that he can beat the close out.

This is not directed only to you, but I don't understand why you try to defend him and hype things that are not there. He is not a good passer, if he was he would find a way to average more assists than 1.3. He is clearly a shooting guard and cannot help the team as it's playmaker. He just needs to be on spots to score and not try to create.

Give me an example of a bad finisher who is a great passer. I’m not saying you can’t I would just like a concrete example. I’m not saying you absolutely must be a finisher at the rim to be a passer, but I do think you must be a threat of some kind that draws multiple defenders. Otherwise no one is open.

Ant is only a threat at the three point line. It takes only one defender to deal with that. Everyone else stays home. Ant is quick enough to get as step on that one defender but all too often he recovers and blocks or bothers Ant’s shot with minimal help. So Ant had no one to pass to.

I say he’s a good passer because I’ve seen him do it rather routinely before defenses figured out all they need to do is stop the pass cuz he can’t finish. He can’t get assists as one is open because he’s not a threat to do anything except take a step back 3.

 

[JDC]

Have had this on my mind for a while, but I think there is a bit more to why Ant can't get to the rim with any consistency besides his handle and lack of strength.

He has unusually high hips for his height. Raises his center of gravity which limits his ability to get low. Compounds with his lack of core strength to make it easier for guys to knock him off his path.

Same reasons why he's struggled at the point of attack defensively.

I like that he (or the coaching staff) has recognized this and traded out a lot of those drives for pull-up 3's, but he's going to need to become more of a threat driving into the paint if he wants to bring enough value offensively to overcome the defense long term.

 

[GDiama]

Give me an example of a bad finisher who is a great passer. I’m not saying you can’t I would just like a concrete example. I’m not saying you absolutely must be a finisher at the rim to be a passer, but I do think you must be a threat of some kind that draws multiple defenders. Otherwise no one is open.

Ant is only a threat at the three point line. It takes only one defender to deal with that. Everyone else stays home. Ant is quick enough to get as step on that one defender but all too often he recovers and blocks or bothers Ant’s shot with minimal help. So Ant had no one to pass to.

I say he’s a good passer because I’ve seen him do it rather routinely before defenses figured out all they need to do is stop the pass cuz he can’t finish. He can’t get assists as one is open because he’s not a threat to do anything except take a step back 3.

Rubio is the best i can think of, but there is too many really. Marcus Smart getting 6 per game being unable to shoot from anywhere.

How can Maledon the rookie of OKC average 4.6 per 36 compared to Ant's 2.7 despite not being able to score the ball close to the rim?
So when did you see Simons being a good passer? When he is all alone? I am honestly asking because I don't understand. He cannot defend, he cannot finish near the rim and the excuse that he can also not pass is the bad finishing? That looks like a bad player.

Adding one more example, Devonte Graham

 

[Natebishop3]

Has anyone noticed that we have two super athletic wings that can jump out of the gym but can't put the ball on teh floor to save their lives?

 

[kjironman1]

Has anyone noticed that we have two super athletic wings that can jump out of the gym but can't put the ball on teh floor to save their lives?

Simons has made some mistakes. He has at times looked overwhelmed and even outmatched. All that being said.
The kid is working hard and i see improvement in his game.

 

[bobf]

Rubio is the best i can think of, but there is too many really. Marcus Smart getting 6 per game being unable to shoot from anywhere.

How can Maledon the rookie of OKC average 4.6 per 36 compared to Ant's 2.7 despite not being able to score the ball close to the rim?
So when did you see Simons being a good passer? When he is all alone? I am honestly asking because I don't understand. He cannot defend, he cannot finish near the rim and the excuse that he can also not pass is the bad finishing? That looks like a bad player.

Adding one more example, Devonte Graham

I don't think Rubio is your best example as he can finish at the rim (0.588 this year vs Ant's 0.444 this year). Even in earlier years when he had a low efficiency around the rim, he's always drawn a lot of fouls - free throw rate of 0.391 vs Ant's anemic 0.118. He's also an aberration, a total magician with the ball.

Same thing with Marcus Smart. He has a career FG% at the rim of 0.548 (one year was an incredible 0.694) vs Ant this year 0.444. Plus he draws 4.1 FTA vs Ant's 1.7 per 36. Ant's low efficiency is even inflated because he's highly selective with only 8% of his shots being at the rim so an abnormally high portion of them are uncontested. Boston also has much more motion in their offense creating assist opportunities off the ball. But yes, Smart has an incredibly high assist rate for someone who can't shoot. One of my favorite players.

I don't know much about the other guys you mentioned. I'd have to watch some of their games. My bottom line is I don't see Ant getting assist opportunities and then failing to connect on them. I see him getting not getting assist opportunities because (1) he can't create a threat the draws defenders (2) Blazers offense does not create assist opportunities off the ball either. Ant catches the ball and passes into Melo for a post up. Ant catches the ball and passes to Hood for a post up. Ant catches the ball and it's his turn to create. He could get past his guy but then he sucks so bad at finishing that the defense plays the pass, and all of Simons' focus is on trying to finish. As a result he's mostly given up altogether on driving the ball, it's all step back 3's, which makes it even harder to get assists.

I agree, Ant is not very good right now. But he's quite a bit better than he was last year, so I still have hope. I see him making a concerted effort to move his feet & stay in front of his guy, but he's still too much of a lightweight to bother the shot when a guy backs him into the paint. I see him grab plenty of rebounds. I see he's an efficient scorer despite getting no boost from drawing fouls. I see he can beat his guy off the dribble, but he can't do anything with it.

As far as his passing, I've just seen random situations where the rare opportunity is there and he makes an impressive pass. Not an, "oh I finally see you now" chest pass to a wide open guy. Quick, up from the dribble, threading, Nash passes. Rare yes, so you could say I've seen flashes. He did have 9 assists an that game vs the Kings where he scored 37 points.

 

[wizenheimer]

I agree, Ant is not very good right now. But he's quite a bit better than he was last year, so I still have hope. I see him making a concerted effort to move his feet & stay in front of his guy, but he's still too much of a lightweight to bother the shot when a guy backs him into the paint. I see him grab plenty of rebounds. I see he's an efficient scorer despite getting no boost from drawing fouls. I see he can beat his guy off the dribble, but he can't do anything with it.

he's better, at least he is statistically, but almost all of that is due to his 3 point FGA rate going from 42.2% to 71.8%. That's a huge jump and he has by far the highest rate on the team. That coupled with him shooting 41% is why he's statistically better this year (I'm not convinced yet he actually a 40% shooter from deep). Simons has rebounded pretty well for his size and his position. He has a rebound rate more than twice as high as Trent, and while guard rebounding isn't an essential, without Nurkic and with Portland's defensive failings, Blazers need better defensive rebounding from all positions

it's pretty crazy that a guy with his handles and hops is only shooting 44% at the rim....that's really bad

just like every Blazer, Simons will generally be facing much better teams, and much better defenses in the 2nd half of the season. I'd also anticipate that CJ returning will likely disrupt his mojo some

 

[GDiama]

I don't think Rubio is your best example as he can finish at the rim (0.588 this year vs Ant's 0.444 this year). Even in earlier years when he had a low efficiency around the rim, he's always drawn a lot of fouls - free throw rate of 0.391 vs Ant's anemic 0.118. He's also an aberration, a total magician with the ball.

Same thing with Marcus Smart. He has a career FG% at the rim of 0.548 (one year was an incredible 0.694) vs Ant this year 0.444. Plus he draws 4.1 FTA vs Ant's 1.7 per 36. Ant's low efficiency is even inflated because he's highly selective with only 8% of his shots being at the rim so an abnormally high portion of them are uncontested. Boston also has much more motion in their offense creating assist opportunities off the ball. But yes, Smart has an incredibly high assist rate for someone who can't shoot. One of my favorite players.

I don't know much about the other guys you mentioned. I'd have to watch some of their games. My bottom line is I don't see Ant getting assist opportunities and then failing to connect on them. I see him getting not getting assist opportunities because (1) he can't create a threat the draws defenders (2) Blazers offense does not create assist opportunities off the ball either. Ant catches the ball and passes into Melo for a post up. Ant catches the ball and passes to Hood for a post up. Ant catches the ball and it's his turn to create. He could get past his guy but then he sucks so bad at finishing that the defense plays the pass, and all of Simons' focus is on trying to finish. As a result he's mostly given up altogether on driving the ball, it's all step back 3's, which makes it even harder to get assists.

I agree, Ant is not very good right now. But he's quite a bit better than he was last year, so I still have hope. I see him making a concerted effort to move his feet & stay in front of his guy, but he's still too much of a lightweight to bother the shot when a guy backs him into the paint. I see him grab plenty of rebounds. I see he's an efficient scorer despite getting no boost from drawing fouls. I see he can beat his guy off the dribble, but he can't do anything with it.

As far as his passing, I've just seen random situations where the rare opportunity is there and he makes an impressive pass. Not an, "oh I finally see you now" chest pass to a wide open guy. Quick, up from the dribble, threading, Nash passes. Rare yes, so you could say I've seen flashes. He did have 9 assists an that game vs the Kings where he scored 37 points.

Although i disagree about his passing ability I agree with him not getting many opportunities with our offensive scheme. What i would like him to do more is be a better scorer. Study Lou Williams like Quickley (NY rookie) did. He is a scoring guard as well and although he is a rookie he is way better than Simons because he has found his way to draw fouls and has an impressive floater in his arsenal.

 

[bobf]

he's better, at least he is statistically, but almost all of that is due to his 3 point FGA rate going from 42.2% to 71.8%. That's a huge jump and he has by far the highest rate on the team. That coupled with him shooting 41% is why he's statistically better this year (I'm not convinced yet he actually a 40% shooter from deep). Simons has rebounded pretty well for his size and his position. He has a rebound rate more than twice as high as Trent, and while guard rebounding isn't an essential, without Nurkic and with Portland's defensive failings, Blazers need better defensive rebounding from all positions

it's pretty crazy that a guy with his handles and hops is only shooting 44% at the rim....that's really bad

just like every Blazer, Simons will generally be facing much better teams, and much better defenses in the 2nd half of the season. I'd also anticipate that CJ returning will likely disrupt his mojo some

Yeah and his mojo is pretty fragile to begin with. Maybe the slam dunk win will boost his confidence.

He doesn’t really seem like a 40% 3-point shooter to me either looking at his shot, but I’m gonna stay optimistic.

I don’t know why he can’t finish. Obviously his strength is an issue, but if Steve Nash can score 72% around the rim from age 35-37 it’s not all about strength. What I remember about Nash is he kept so many options/threats open that the defender did’t know what to defend. Floater, alley oop, layup, kick out for 3, stop and 3’ fade away, dribble back out and start over. He had it all and he didn’t rush. It seems like Ant’s finishing shot is so predictable that NBA defenders can swat it almost at will.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah and his mojo is pretty fragile to begin with. Maybe the slam dunk win will boost his confidence.

He doesn’t really seem like a 40% 3-point shooter to me either looking at his shot, but I’m gonna stay optimistic.

I don’t know why he can’t finish. Obviously his strength is an issue, but if Steve Nash can score 72% around the rim from age 35-37 it’s not all about strength. What I remember about Nash is he kept so many options/threats open that the defender did’t know what to defend. Floater, alley oop, layup, kick out for 3, stop and 3’ fade away, dribble back out and start over. He had it all and he didn’t rush. It seems like Ant’s finishing shot is so predictable that NBA defenders can swat it almost at will.

I don't think it's confidence. The guy just isn't that quick. He doesn't have a good first step. Dame can get to the cup almost at will. Simons can't get past his man.

Kenny Smith was talking about how Simons needs to dunk more. That he's not showing it off in games. The dude just isn't good at driving.

 

[maxiep]

Simons has made some mistakes. He has at times looked overwhelmed and even outmatched. All that being said.
The kid is working hard and i see improvement in his game.

He's also just legal to drink and has a ton of upside left in his game.

The one thing the commentators were saying is that the other two contestants were really just dunkers, while Ant was an all-around player. I, for one, am looking forward to his growth. I just hope we can keep him here.

 

[B-Roy]

I don't think it's confidence. The guy just isn't that quick. He doesn't have a good first step. Dame can get to the cup almost at will. Simons can't get past his man.

Kenny Smith was talking about how Simons needs to dunk more. That he's not showing it off in games. The dude just isn't good at driving.

I think he gets by people just fine, he just cannot finish through any sort of contact, even if its like a pinky finger.

He also seems to psych himself at the rim and goes for weird flip shots when met with any sort of rim defender. He clearly needs to work on his finishing/touch around the rim, as well as getting stronger in general.

 

[Natebishop3]

He's also just legal to drink and has a ton of upside left in his game.

The one thing the commentators were saying is that the other two contestants were really just dunkers, while Ant was an all-around player. I, for one, am looking forward to his growth. I just hope we can keep him here.

I mean this is when he should be dunking. When he's young. You don't see Dame dunk much anymore because he's 30 and it's rough on the body.

 

[jlprk]

Give me an example of a bad finisher who is a great passer.

There have been many good passing, outside shooters who got knocked on their backs if they went inside. I was once banned from the ESPN Sonic board for posting that Luke Ridnour was playing like a wimp.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

There have been many good passing, outside shooters who got knocked on their backs if they went inside. I was once banned from the ESPN Sonic board for posting that Luke Ridnour was playing like a wimp.

Luke Ridnour has been playing like a wimp!

 

[jlprk]

The Sonics finally got Earl Watson, who couldn't shoot, but was good at driving inside. The opposite of Ridnour. The team then went through a few head coaches, who had to figure out how to alternate the two opposite point guards with the same minutes, depending on each momentary game situation. Things were ridiculous after the owner fired Bob Whitsitt, who had just won NBA Executive of the Year. The chaotic team was dying, cementing my allegiance to the Blazers, who were much more exciting even with Juan Dixon, Telfair, etc.