Simons is legit

[blazerfan11]

Two of the best long range shooters in the league basically start their shot motion from the hip.

I've read somewhere that this basically means they get most of the strength behind their shots from their legs. This strength gives them longer ranger than other players, far past the NBA three-point line. It also helps their shot stay consistent even when they're tired since not a lot of energy is generated from the arms.

Those two shooters? Dame and Steph.

Except Steph is a much better shot maker than Dame. Lillard's longer range is nice, but I'd rather have more made baskets.

And you very rarely ever see either one of them getting their shot blocked unless they are right at the rim

Or Lillard is being guarded by an elite defender and doesn't give a shit. Those get blocked.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Two of the best long range shooters in the league basically start their shot motion from the hip.

I've read somewhere that this basically means they get most of the strength behind their shots from their legs. This strength gives them longer ranger than other players, far past the NBA three-point line. It also helps their shot stay consistent even when they're tired since not a lot of energy is generated from the arms.

Those two shooters? Dame and Steph.

Seems like Simons and Trey Young should be added to the list.

 

[BonesJones]

Two of the best long range shooters in the league basically start their shot motion from the hip.

I've read somewhere that this basically means they get most of the strength behind their shots from their legs. This strength gives them longer ranger than other players, far past the NBA three-point line. It also helps their shot stay consistent even when they're tired since not a lot of energy is generated from the arms.

Those two shooters? Dame and Steph.

Its also a quicker release since theres no wasted backward motion so if the release (where the ball leaves the hand) is still high its actually the easiest type of shot to get off. People focus too much on the location of the set point and not enough on the location of the release.

 

[Dougnsalem]

Except Steph is a much better shot maker than Dame. Lillard's longer range is nice, but I'd rather have more made baskets.


Or Lillard is being guarded by an elite defender and doesn't give a shit. Those get blocked.

Ok, which are you? Sinobas? Blazer4ever?? Cippy??? No, wait. It's Gronk, right????

 

[Natebishop3]

I kinda wonder if they're trying Simons at PG because they don't think he's physically mature enough to play shooting guard yet.

He's just so thin. He can get away with that at point guard with guys like Steph Curry but there are some beefy dudes at shooting guard.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I kinda wonder if they're trying Simons at PG because they don't think he's physically mature enough to play shooting guard yet.

He's just so thin. He can get away with that at point guard with guys like Steph Curry but there are some beefy dudes at shooting guard.

If he can eventually play at the point it gives Terry a lot more flexibility and another good shooter always on the floor. Having the option to always have 2 good scoring guards in the game (Dame, CJ, and Simons) would be nice but would be best if Simons becomes a true combo guard along side CJ. (Not worried about Ant and Dame together) So I am hoping they are just using SL to help him get better at it. But they still have Hood this year as well who will need minutes. (and possibly Baze but I think he will get more SF duty)

But then again in the last game they had Trent do a lot of the PG duties instead to free up Simons and that helped him......but it hurt Trent since he is not a PG either. Terry seems to like having "guards" on the floor and not necessarily a PG or a SG. He wants shooters.

 

[HailBlazers]

Ok, which are you? Sinobas? Blazer4ever?? Cippy??? No, wait. It's Gronk, right????

Because if you don't shoot threes as good as the best three point shooter in the history of the game you suck.

 

[ABM]

https://ripcityproject.com/2019/07/...rs-guard-anfernee-simons-shown-summer-league/

What has Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons shown in Summer League?

......With Seth Curry‘s deal expiring at the end of this past season, many assumed that Simons would take over the backup shooting guard role.

During various press conferences, GM Neil Olshey raved about Simons’ talent and expectations for his role next season. He said Simons had the most God given talent out of anyone he has ever had on a team, among other things.

After the moves Portland made in the first week of July, Simons seems to be penciled in as the team’s backup point guard. Naturally a score first guard, the Blazers likely believe that he has made enough strides as a playmaker to fill this role.

Summer League has been fans’ first opportunity to see Simons in his potential role next year. So far, does it look like he can live up to expectations? Sort of.

Simons has excelled tremendously scoring the ball. With an excellent handle, good burst, and pro level moves, he has the ability to score with just about anyone in the NBA. Just look at how effortlessly he makes these extremely difficult shots seem.

Talking to Danny Marang of NBC Sports Northwest yesterday, he pointed out how impressive it was that Simons is doing all of this without being physically dominant. His ability to change speed and direction while dissecting defenses at such a young age is impressive.

It’s nice for him to showcase his scoring ability, but the real question comes down to whether he has the decision making of an NBA point guard.

Right now that is not the case. In his three Summer League games, Simons has averaged only 1.7 assists, an extremely low mark for a lead ball handler. While he has shown flashes of vision and potential to read the floor, that is overshadowed by his propensity to call his own number. Point guards in this league need to be able to understand when to score and when to distribute, and as of now, Simons still has a ways to go.

This by no means is saying that Simons will never be a productive NBA point guard. At only 20 years old, he still has time to improve. However, with the Blazers still having two roster spots open, it might be wise for Olshey to sign a veteran point guard who can not only take decision making pressure off of Simons, but also to teach him how to study the floor.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

https://ripcityproject.com/2019/07/...rs-guard-anfernee-simons-shown-summer-league/

What has Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons shown in Summer League?

......With Seth Curry‘s deal expiring at the end of this past season, many assumed that Simons would take over the backup shooting guard role.

During various press conferences, GM Neil Olshey raved about Simons’ talent and expectations for his role next season. He said Simons had the most God given talent out of anyone he has ever had on a team, among other things.

After the moves Portland made in the first week of July, Simons seems to be penciled in as the team’s backup point guard. Naturally a score first guard, the Blazers likely believe that he has made enough strides as a playmaker to fill this role.

Summer League has been fans’ first opportunity to see Simons in his potential role next year. So far, does it look like he can live up to expectations? Sort of.

Simons has excelled tremendously scoring the ball. With an excellent handle, good burst, and pro level moves, he has the ability to score with just about anyone in the NBA. Just look at how effortlessly he makes these extremely difficult shots seem.

Talking to Danny Marang of NBC Sports Northwest yesterday, he pointed out how impressive it was that Simons is doing all of this without being physically dominant. His ability to change speed and direction while dissecting defenses at such a young age is impressive.

It’s nice for him to showcase his scoring ability, but the real question comes down to whether he has the decision making of an NBA point guard.

Right now that is not the case. In his three Summer League games, Simons has averaged only 1.7 assists, an extremely low mark for a lead ball handler. While he has shown flashes of vision and potential to read the floor, that is overshadowed by his propensity to call his own number. Point guards in this league need to be able to understand when to score and when to distribute, and as of now, Simons still has a ways to go.

This by no means is saying that Simons will never be a productive NBA point guard. At only 20 years old, he still has time to improve. However, with the Blazers still having two roster spots open, it might be wise for Olshey to sign a veteran point guard who can not only take decision making pressure off of Simons, but also to teach him how to study the floor.

Good points by BangARang.

My guess based on nothing is that they want him to be able to handle PG duties for minutes at a time throughout his career, a la CJ. So, they're having him practice now. I have seen a lot of interesting player's careers destroyed because their team tried to get them to play PG when they weren't. I certainly hope this isn't what's happening here.

 

[e_blazer]

Good points by BangARang.

My guess based on nothing is that they want him to be able to handle PG duties for minutes at a time throughout his career, a la CJ. So, they're having him practice now. I have seen a lot of interesting player's careers destroyed because their team tried to get them to play PG when they weren't. I certainly hope this isn't what's happening here.

I think that it's going to be a bit like last year, where Seth was PG in name only. ET did most of the actual PG work from the SF position. I think that Simons is likely as much or more of a PG than Seth.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think that it's going to be a bit like last year, where Seth was PG in name only. ET did most of the actual PG work from the SF position. I think that Simons is likely as much or more of a PG than Seth.

I think he has the potential to eventually be a better PG than Seth, but right now I think you are right......they are about the same for that particular skill set.

 

[illmatic99]

So damn smooth

 

[Wizard Mentor]

So damn smooth

This.

One of my favorite things about Simons is his demeanor. He doesn't "get happy" when he makes a bucket, like some players do. This will help keep him even-keeled, which is important for the extremely long nba season.

 

[SportsAndWhine]

Hot take alert:

Simons is legit, and honestly might be better at 20 than Dame was at 20 (would 20 year old Dame have been able to drop 37 on NBA players?).

If he takes after Dame in the self improvement category, by the time he’s the same age Dame was as a rookie, he’s going to be incredible.

 

[BBert]

So damn smooth

The audience reaction was exactly the same after every bucket LOL

 

[B-Roy]

This.

One of my favorite things about Simons is his demeanor. He doesn't "get happy" when he makes a bucket, like some players do. This will help keep him even-keeled, which is important for the extremely long nba season.

He's Dame like....Dame even referenced this in his exit interview.

 

[BBert]

This.

One of my favorite things about Simons is his demeanor. He doesn't "get happy" when he makes a bucket, like some players do. This will help keep him even-keeled, which is important for the extremely long nba season.

He doesn't rush.

He doesn't rely on emotion.

He doesn't display bravado.

He uses only the amount of athleticism necessary to make the play.

He plays with quiet confidence.

He acts like he's been here, done that, before.

I think all this may lull the defender to sleep a bit.

Especially if the defender looks at his eyes, haha.

 

[ABM]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/7/18/20698346/anfernee-simons-portland-trail-blazers

The Trail Blazers’ Secret Weapon Isn’t a Secret Anymore

Anfernee Simons skipped college and went straight to the NBA in 2018. Then he disappeared from the public eye. After a year of watching Damian Lillard rather than playing alongside him, Simons has the league buzzing and Portland hopeful that he can be a contributor to its title push next season.

The peach fuzz on Anfernee Simons’s chin is visible these days. The hair, though sparse, is growing. But when Damian Lillard walks up to Simons after the Trail Blazers’ loss to the Pistons on the second day of Las Vegas summer league, Simons notices that it’s Lillard who is surprisingly clean shaven. The reason? Lillard had to be baby-faced for his upcoming role in Space Jam 2. So after a season of being looked at as the kid on the team, Simons decides to take his shot in the tunnels of the Thomas & Mack Center. You look younger than me now, he tells Lillard. The All-NBA guard laughs off the dig.

Stubble or not, few players—in the NBA or at summer league—look as young as Simons. There’s still a boyish quality to Portland’s 20-year-old sophomore guard. His grin spreads as wide as his 6-foot-9 wingspan, and his cheeks round when he smiles like Alfalfa.

Former Blazers forward Evan Turner remembers when he first met Simons after the 2018 draft. “He looked like a little-ass kid,” said Turner, now with the Hawks. The “little-ass kid” fooled everyone else, too. Said Turner: “Legit, people would come up and say, who is that? Who is the 15-year-old on your team?”.................

 

[illmatic99]

Yes build up that trade value .Terrific insight in that article btw.

 

[illmatic99]

See???? Neil does give promises.

They even gave Simons a promise—he worked out with Portland a second time and then canceled a workout in Memphis as a result.

Also like the notion that he could potentially grow into a role where he plays WITH Dame and CJ. His 6'9 wingspan should help.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/7/18/20698346/anfernee-simons-portland-trail-blazers

The Trail Blazers’ Secret Weapon Isn’t a Secret Anymore

Anfernee Simons skipped college and went straight to the NBA in 2018. Then he disappeared from the public eye. After a year of watching Damian Lillard rather than playing alongside him, Simons has the league buzzing and Portland hopeful that he can be a contributor to its title push next season.

The peach fuzz on Anfernee Simons’s chin is visible these days. The hair, though sparse, is growing. But when Damian Lillard walks up to Simons after the Trail Blazers’ loss to the Pistons on the second day of Las Vegas summer league, Simons notices that it’s Lillard who is surprisingly clean shaven. The reason? Lillard had to be baby-faced for his upcoming role in Space Jam 2. So after a season of being looked at as the kid on the team, Simons decides to take his shot in the tunnels of the Thomas & Mack Center. You look younger than me now, he tells Lillard. The All-NBA guard laughs off the dig.

Stubble or not, few players—in the NBA or at summer league—look as young as Simons. There’s still a boyish quality to Portland’s 20-year-old sophomore guard. His grin spreads as wide as his 6-foot-9 wingspan, and his cheeks round when he smiles like Alfalfa.

Former Blazers forward Evan Turner remembers when he first met Simons after the 2018 draft. “He looked like a little-ass kid,” said Turner, now with the Hawks. The “little-ass kid” fooled everyone else, too. Said Turner: “Legit, people would come up and say, who is that? Who is the 15-year-old on your team?”.................

fantastic article, thanks for the link.

 

[SIeepwalker]

You look younger than me now, he tells Lillard.

 

[Scalma]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/7/18/20698346/anfernee-simons-portland-trail-blazers

The Trail Blazers’ Secret Weapon Isn’t a Secret Anymore

Anfernee Simons skipped college and went straight to the NBA in 2018. Then he disappeared from the public eye. After a year of watching Damian Lillard rather than playing alongside him, Simons has the league buzzing and Portland hopeful that he can be a contributor to its title push next season.

The peach fuzz on Anfernee Simons’s chin is visible these days. The hair, though sparse, is growing. But when Damian Lillard walks up to Simons after the Trail Blazers’ loss to the Pistons on the second day of Las Vegas summer league, Simons notices that it’s Lillard who is surprisingly clean shaven. The reason? Lillard had to be baby-faced for his upcoming role in Space Jam 2. So after a season of being looked at as the kid on the team, Simons decides to take his shot in the tunnels of the Thomas & Mack Center. You look younger than me now, he tells Lillard. The All-NBA guard laughs off the dig.

Stubble or not, few players—in the NBA or at summer league—look as young as Simons. There’s still a boyish quality to Portland’s 20-year-old sophomore guard. His grin spreads as wide as his 6-foot-9 wingspan, and his cheeks round when he smiles like Alfalfa.

Former Blazers forward Evan Turner remembers when he first met Simons after the 2018 draft. “He looked like a little-ass kid,” said Turner, now with the Hawks. The “little-ass kid” fooled everyone else, too. Said Turner: “Legit, people would come up and say, who is that? Who is the 15-year-old on your team?”.................

I remember his trainer comparing him to Klay last year, and that’s a guy who’s worked with some of the best players in the nba (he’s KDs personal trainer) but yeah let’s trade him for the opportunity to pay for the backend of another dudes career. If you’re gonna trade anyone trade CJ.

 

[illmatic99]

The hype is getting crazy. What kinda numbers do you guys anticipate seeing from Ant this season?

If we really are gonna move CJ, what do you need to see from Simons?

I think the most interesting note from the article is potentially putting Simons at SF. He certainly has the length for it-- just needs to get stronger.

 

[Labinot41]

The hype is getting crazy. What kinda numbers do you guys anticipate seeing from Ant this season?

If we really are gonna move CJ, what do you need to see from Simons?

I think the most interesting note from the article is potentially putting Simons at SF. He certainly has the length for it-- just needs to get stronger.

Double digits in scoring, 4 rebounds and 3 or 4 assists per game. Thats my expectation for him. And i think it's realistic

 

[Hoopguru]

The hype is getting crazy. What kinda numbers do you guys anticipate seeing from Ant this season?

If we really are gonna move CJ, what do you need to see from Simons?

I think the most interesting note from the article is potentially putting Simons at SF. He certainly has the length for it-- just needs to get stronger.

For me, if he can come in and be consistent in his contributions this year if its 8-15 pt's per game, with occasional break out games, and not be a defensive liability, then I think he's on his way. If so, then that gives us some trade angles to maybe better balance areas of weakness. Probably not till, next year?

 

[illmatic99]

Double digits in scoring, 4 rebounds and 3 or 4 assists per game. Thats my expectation for him. And i think it's realistic

That would put him in some elite company off the bench. 10, 4,3 off the bench in the past ten years:

 

[RR7]

 

[B-Roy]

Double digits in scoring, 4 rebounds and 3 or 4 assists per game. Thats my expectation for him. And i think it's realistic

He doesn't project to be a good rebounder or playmaker. If he's gonna get 20-24 mpg, 4 assists per game would make him a better/equal playmaker as Dame...

 

[B-Roy]

See???? Neil does give promises.



Also like the notion that he could potentially grow into a role where he plays WITH Dame and CJ. His 6'9 wingspan should help.

If he shoots >40% from three, he'll probably play in the three guard lineups that had Seth in with Dame and CJ. Those were usually played when Stotts felt the need to jumpstart the offense, or at end of quarter possessions where you need a bucket.

The Dame/CJ/Seth/Aminu/Nurk 5 man unit was one of our best 5 man units last year in terms of win percentage. Situational lineup though for sure.