Simons is a nightmare

[BankTeller]

Also, even if you still don’t like him as a fit on this team, thoughts of trading him for a 1st and a prospect are long over. Ant is going to continue to show his potential to be a 30ppg kind of guy. Those guys are not cheap. Cronin showed he’s not in the business of accepting trash in returns anymore. Multiple 1sts from a bad team and a prospect would be the cost.

Ant is a superior talent to Herro and on a way better deal. He’s already showing he could be a better than Lavine, and is on a much better deal. He’s a Trae Young level scorer, on a much better deal.

 

[Natebishop3]

Also, even if you still don’t like him as a fit on this team, thoughts of trading him for a 1st and a prospect are long over. Ant is going to continue to show his potential to be a 30ppg kind of guy. Those guys are not cheap. Cronin showed he’s not in the business of accepting trash in returns anymore. Multiple 1sts from a bad team and a prospect would be the cost.

Ant is a superior talent to Herro and on a way better deal. He’s already showing he could be a better than Lavine, and is on a much better deal. He’s a Trae Young level scorer, on a much better deal.

I'm honestly not in any kind of rush to trade Simons. Not unless we can get an elite wing for him, but it's so nice to have three guards who are just completely different. Scoot is full speed all the time, Shae is just power, and Simons can score from anywhere. That's so hard for teams to defend.

 

[BankTeller]

I'm honestly not in any kind of rush to trade Simons. Not unless we can get an elite wing for him, but it's so nice to have three guards who are just completely different. Scoot is full speed all the time, Shae is just power, and Simons can score from anywhere. That's so hard for teams to defend.

I’m not either. I feel like I’ve been higher on Ant than ever. We have a legit three guard rotation that can grow from within and be really good. Kings drafted Fox, Hali, and OffNights in hopes of achieving this—not only did they not let the cake bake, I still feel like they chose the wrong guard to trade. We have what they wanted, I think we could compete really early (OKC-level contending this year, not sniffing the playoffs-level contending) if Scoot embraces the Harden role and continues to develop. If we keep adding shooters to this bench, I think Scoot could average 6-8apg off the bench. I think he could be a 6MOY next year. I love the dynamic between the three guards right now. One of the best parts of seeing the Mavs game was seeing Scoot crash into the paint, with Ant and the ref standing side by side motioning and-1 at the same time. The vibes are good. A team that is ready to move on from their AS in a few years will at least be offered a top tier floor spacer and one of the best scoring guards in the league.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Since Simons return. Defensive rating was 9th, now 15th

 

[Fitz303]

Since Simons return. Defensive rating was 9th, now 15th

You mean since the starting front court went down? The Blazers got absolutely hammered in points in the paint (66! To 32) last night. Was that because of Simons? Or the absence of Ayton and Grant? I'd guess it has much more to do with the latter. They were still 10th in Drtg before last night, including the 3 games of Simons being back. Last night is what crushed their rating, and it looked pretty obvious, to me anyway, that their defensive problem last night was front court related. Simons has been putting in the work defensively since coming back. He's not Camara, but he's not a cone anymore.

 

[Mediocre Man]

You mean since the starting front court went down? The Blazers got absolutely hammered in points in the paint (66! To 32) last night. Was that because of Simons? Or the absence of Ayton and Grant? I'd guess it has much more to do with the latter. They were still 10th in Drtg before last night, including the 3 games of Simons being back. Last night is what crushed their rating, and it looked pretty obvious, to me anyway, that their defensive problem last night was front court related. Simons has been putting in the work defensively since coming back. He's not Camara, but he's not a cone anymore.

It’s like we watch different games

 

[julius]

Since Simons return. Defensive rating was 9th, now 15th

Im sure not having Ayton and Brogdon has nothing to do with that. None whatsoever.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Im sure not having Ayton and Brogdon has nothing to do with that. None whatsoever.

And Grant

 

[Hoopguru]

I think if we are 100% healthy we can be a hand full. Why is Ayton out so long?

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think if we are 100% healthy we can be a hand full. Why is Ayton out so long?

It is almost like they are taking every opportunity to tank. I bet if they wanted to make the playoffs Grant, Brogdon, and Ayton would be back sooner. I am okay with that strategy but it is frustrating in crunch time every game.

 

[BankTeller]

It is almost like they are taking every opportunity to tank. I bet if they wanted to make the playoffs Grant, Brogdon, and Ayton would be back sooner. I am okay with that strategy but it is frustrating in crunch time every game.

The payoff may look better than advertised. I’m starting to really like what I’m seeing from Risacher and Topic as two guys at the top of the draft. Topic looks like he could have Luka’s impact as a passer right away, still looking more into Risacher.

 

[THE HCP]

Simons shot 30% in the 4th. He was 3/10. 4 turnovers in the 4th quarter alone.

View attachment 60557

This seems to be a trend since he came back.

Against the Mavs he was 2-6 with 3 turnovers in the 4th quarter.

Against the Warriors he was 3-9 in the 4th quarter.

He's having good games, but in the 4th quarter he's clearly pressing and/or taking bad shots. Making mistakes he doesn't usually make.

So in those 3 games since he came back, he's shooting 8 for 25 (32%) from the field with 2.3 turnovers in the 4th quarter.

I look at it like if he hadn’t of had the first 3 quarters he had, we wouldn’t even have been in the game.

 

[wizenheimer]

He has played well in all three games. It's just weird how he has fallen off a cliff in the 4th in all three games.

for the most part, he played within the offense in the first 3 quarters. Then, he went full-bore-no-regret-MeJ in the 4th quarters, freezing Sharpe completely out of the offense...such as it was. From what I saw, Ant dribbled as much in those three 4th quarters as he did in the other 9 quarters

I don't know if Ant just decided to try and take over the games, or Chauncey told him to try. Whoever made the decision needs to re-think

 

[Natebishop3]

for the most part, he played within the offense in the first 3 quarters. Then, he went full-bore-no-regret-MeJ in the 4th quarters, freezing Sharpe completely out of the offense...such as it was. From what I saw, Ant dribbled as much in those three 4th quarters as he did in the other 9 quarters

I don't know if Ant just decided to try and take over the games, or Chauncey told him to try. Whoever made the decision needs to re-think

I think he very badly wants to prove that he can be Dame.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

Simons shot 30% in the 4th. He was 3/10. 4 turnovers in the 4th quarter alone.

View attachment 60557

This seems to be a trend since he came back.

Against the Mavs he was 2-6 with 3 turnovers in the 4th quarter.

Against the Warriors he was 3-9 in the 4th quarter.

He's having good games, but in the 4th quarter he's clearly pressing and/or taking bad shots. Making mistakes he doesn't usually make.

So in those 3 games since he came back, he's shooting 8 for 25 (32%) from the field with 2.3 turnovers in the 4th quarter.

Or the simple explanation.
The defenses place more effort on shutting him down. It takes some practice playing against more intense defense to learn the counters to still get good shots.

These games are 'practice' for Ant and Shae. Give them a bit more time in this environment.

 

[Tince]

for the most part, he played within the offense in the first 3 quarters. Then, he went full-bore-no-regret-MeJ in the 4th quarters, freezing Sharpe completely out of the offense...such as it was. From what I saw, Ant dribbled as much in those three 4th quarters as he did in the other 9 quarters

I don't know if Ant just decided to try and take over the games, or Chauncey told him to try. Whoever made the decision needs to re-think

Wasn't there talk on this board of Sharpe's teammates trying to freeze him out last year as well?

Is it possible that Sharpe doesn't want the ball? Or at the very minimum is ok not getting the ball in these moments? We know Billups has made comments about getting frustrated with him when they go out of their way to put him in an advantageous positions and he wouldn't attack.

 

[RR7]

I think he very badly wants to prove that he can be Dame.

Fun fact, Dame has had 2 seasons where he shot better than his season 3pt% in the 4th quarter. His rookie year, and his injury shortened season of 21/22.
Dame has had 2 seasons(3 counting this current season) where he had a higher AST% in the 4th quarter than he did throughout the season as a whole.
3, 4 counting this season, where his FG% was higher in the 4th than throughout the whole year.
It's almost as if it's more difficult to perform under the pressure of the 4th quarter. But if he's trying to prove he can be Dame by having a little bit of struggles in the 4th, than he's doing a good job of it!

 

[wizenheimer]

Wasn't there talk on this board of Sharpe's teammates trying to freeze him out last year as well?

Is it possible that Sharpe doesn't want the ball? Or at the very minimum is ok not getting the ball in these moments? We know Billups has made comments about getting frustrated with him when they go out of their way to put him in an advantageous positions and he wouldn't attack.

I don't need theories about what I saw; especially not one that somehow twists around and blames Sharpe for Ant channeling MeJ in 4th Q's. Ant had near-total hooplock....it was a Jeckl&Hyde difference between Q1-3 Ant and Q4 Ant, and it's happened in 3 straight games. I'd blame Ant first and Chauncey 2nd

now, if you want to argue that Sharpe should assert more and defer less, then sure...that's a valid debate. But Ant showed no inclination to give up the ball until he was trapped and couldn't maneuver anymore. I'm inclined to think Sharpe making himself more available wouldn't have mattered

 

[Tince]

I don't need theories about what I saw; especially not one that somehow twists around and blames Sharpe for Ant channeling MeJ in 4th Q's. Ant had near-total hooplock....it was a Jeckl&Hyde difference between Q1-3 Ant and Q4 Ant, and it's happened in 3 straight games. I'd blame Ant first and Chauncey 2nd

now, if you want to argue that Sharpe should assert more and defer less, then sure...that's a valid debate. But Ant showed no inclination to give up the ball until he was trapped and couldn't maneuver anymore. I'm inclined to think Sharpe making himself more available wouldn't have mattered

I don't think we need to blame a player/coach after every game. Especially road losses where we are overmatched and end up being far more competitive than I would anticipate.

I think Ant is good (not great). This team doesn't have a player I would consider great. I don't think there is a #1 player on this roster. I think Ant, Sharpe, Grant, Brogdon, and Ayton all have noticable flaws if we were to run offense through them at the end of the game.

 

[beast blazer]

I think the team missed his shooting when he was out. So many nights, the Blazers put up abysmal shooting numbers and had no chance to win. If Simons were a new rookie we had just drafted #3, everyone would be raving about him. But since he's not a new shiny toy, they complain. We don't even know if Scoot will ever bee an above average starter. At least we know Simons will bring premium scoring ability. You have to be able to score in today's nba.

 

[wizenheimer]

I agree the 4thQ of games can be different then the other Q's; especially the last 5 minutes in a close game. Offenses get more deliberate and try to value possessions. Defenses get more focused and more intense. I think defenses also get more physical; more grabs and holds and redirection. And officials tend to allow more contact

so it's common for players, even great ones, to drop a little in efficiency

that's not what's being discussed here, or at least not the discussions I've been engaged in. That was about Ant dominating the ball on Portland's end in the 4th Q's over the last 3 games much more than he dominated in the other 3 Q's. It was pretty apparent what he was doing...or at least what he was trying to do. What was also obvious was that his shooting and passing efficiency cratered at the same time. More bricks and more turnovers. Yes, some of that was probably due to opponents playing more intense, physical defense while they amped up their focus on Simons. And some of that could have simply been due to Simons trying to perform above his actual level.

 

[Natebishop3]

This team doesn't have a player I would consider great

Clearly you didn't read the Reath thread. He's great!

 

[Hoopguru]

It's pretty normal for teams top scorers to iso in last qtr when the score is close. Im sure CB is telling Anf to take over when he's the only real vet on the floor.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

I think that you are asking for too much to expect him to average more than that, he’s not a pure PG, and he doesn’t have to be. I think we just have to bring better players that also pass the ball well. In the draft, pay attention to guys whose descriptions are “a PG in a ____’s body”, those guys are going to be the meta in the modern NBA.

Guys like Stephon Castle, “PG in a SF body”. Guys like Buzelis and Williams, “can be a point forward”.

Agree with this 100%.
I really like Castle and Williams because of that.

I still need to watch more tape on Buzelis, but I'm struggling to see where he'll be a high impact starter.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

Also, even if you still don’t like him as a fit on this team, thoughts of trading him for a 1st and a prospect are long over. Ant is going to continue to show his potential to be a 30ppg kind of guy. Those guys are not cheap. Cronin showed he’s not in the business of accepting trash in returns anymore. Multiple 1sts from a bad team and a prospect would be the cost.

Ant is a superior talent to Herro and on a way better deal. He’s already showing he could be a better than Lavine, and is on a much better deal. He’s a Trae Young level scorer, on a much better deal.

Ant has shown the offensive talent for quite a while now...

The biggest revelation to me (this season) has been his defense! He can actually guard a chair! He's been involved and making decent rotations.
As long as Ant will commit to defense, he is an All-star level talent.

 

[blazerfan11]

It's pretty normal for teams top scorers to iso in last qtr when the score is close. Im sure CB is telling Anf to take over when he's the only real vet on the floor.

Simons isn't a vet for this season, or the end of last season.

Sharpe has played over 3 1/2 times more minutes (413) than Simons has this season (114).

Since 2-23-2023, Sharpe has played 4 1/2 times more minutes than Simons.

Time played starting 2-23-2023 to now:

Shaedon Sharpe: 1,435 Minutes

Anfernee Simons: 318 Minutes

 

[BankTeller]

Agree with this 100%.
I really like Castle and Williams because of that.

I still need to watch more tape on Buzelis, but I'm struggling to see where he'll be a high impact starter.

It’s really hard to judge the Ignite team this year. Without a real PG prospect, this team just isn’t able to play in a system. The concept of the Ignite is good, but there is still work to be done for sure. The only prospect who I see not having the Ignite doubt to him this summer will be Tyler Smith, who already shoots spot up 3’s at a great rate. The lotto guys could all slip, and Buzelis could end up around #14. Maybe a team around #10-12 see Dunn’s defense as something that translates right away and picks him over Buzelis.

Regardless of where he ends up, his skillset is undeniable based on his HS tape. People on this board liked Gradey Dick, who went around this range in a deeper draft. Buzelis is a much better prospect than Gradey. His playmaking potential is real. If a team gets Buzelis in the late lotto, that is a real value pick. Obviously, situation still matters. If Washington selected him, they should expect him to struggle without a true #1 scoring threat to draw attention. If SA selected him, they should expect him to struggle without a true PG, it will be a similar situation like the Ignite, but with more talented players.

In Portland, he would be amazing. Buzelis could strictly be a catch and shoot guy who can also bring the ball up the court. Murray hasn’t been a liability on defense this year, if Buzelis can be as good as Murray as a rookie, he’ll no doubt get playing time as a rookie and have a huge impact on this team with his shooting. I will expect more freedom to actually play ‘point forward’ towards the end of his rookie season or starting his sophomore season. If we aren’t lucky enough draft Sarr, another awesome outcome would be trading down from our own lotto pick and ending up with two of Castle/Buzelis/Williams and Bradshaw, maybe another high impact NBA-ready player like Watson or Hall in the 2nd.

 

[BankTeller]

Ant has shown the offensive talent for quite a while now...

The biggest revelation to me (this season) has been his defense! He can actually guard a chair! He's been involved and making decent rotations.
As long as Ant will commit to defense, he is an All-star level talent.

I still think part of Ant’s defensive struggles were aided by the fact that Chauncey wasn’t ever going to be able to change Dame or CJ defensively. We saw how much better the ball movement was with Ant in and both guys out in stretches. Ant was already really skinny in the beginning and Dame/CJ already didn’t prioritize defense. Now, he’s working on that end of the floor.

 

[Hoopguru]

Simons isn't a vet for this season, or the end of last season.

Sharpe has played over 3 1/2 times more minutes (413) than Simons has this season (114).

Since 2-23-2023, Sharpe has played 4 1/2 times more minutes than Simons.

Time played starting 2-23-2023 to now:

Shaedon Sharpe: 1,435 Minutes

Anfernee Simons: 318 Minutes

Im talking tenure in the association....geez

 

[BBert]

Simons shot 30% in the 4th. He was 3/10. 4 turnovers in the 4th quarter alone.

View attachment 60557

This seems to be a trend since he came back.

Against the Mavs he was 2-6 with 3 turnovers in the 4th quarter.

Against the Warriors he was 3-9 in the 4th quarter.

He's having good games, but in the 4th quarter he's clearly pressing and/or taking bad shots. Making mistakes he doesn't usually make.

So in those 3 games since he came back, he's shooting 8 for 25 (32%) from the field with 2.3 turnovers in the 4th quarter.

Tired legs