Simons: This year is going to be big

[Scalma]

says the guy that faps over plus minuses. What’s sadder than that?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Bump.

Big as in more spot minutes with very little production?

 

[Hoopguru]

Trent and CJ play well together.

 

[ehizzy3]

Bump.

Big as in more spot minutes with very little production?

its been 4 games dude

 

[SIeepwalker]

Simons hasn't got a lot of minutes yet but I liked what I saw when he was on the court

 

[MickZagger]

I think Simons has looked okay out there. His defense has looked real nice.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

its been 4 games dude

3 actually

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

You re-do his draft and Simons goes mid-second/undrafted.

Athletic freak with a jumper but he’s in year #3 and doesn’t look anywhere near even being a rotation player.

If anyone needs the NBDL it’s most definitely him.

 

[Pinwheel1]

You re-do his draft and Simons goes mid-second/undrafted.

Athletic freak with a jumper but he’s in year #3 and doesn’t look anywhere near even being a rotation player.

If anyone needs the NBDL it’s most definitely him.

I don't agree. I think he looks much better. I even see why they think he can play back up PG. I never thought he could before.
He looks stronger as well. If I were Terry I would continue to give him around 6 minutes every game. (More in blowouts) He just needs some more experience and he will continue to grow. His stroke is smooth from the outside and his D is much improved.

 

[PCmor7]

Simons: "This year is going to be big for Keljin Blevins"

 

[kjironman1]

I though Simons has looked decent to this point other than the hamstring issue. He held his own tonight.

 

[GDiama]

I though Simons has looked decent to this point other than the hamstring issue. He held his own tonight.

I think our standards on what looks decent have dropped considerably with Simons. There is way too many rookies or second year players that look better already. Simons is in year 3 now.

 

[kjironman1]

I think our standards on what looks decent have dropped considerably with Simons. There is way too many rookies or second year players that look better already. Simons is in year 3 now.

Just turned 21 so maybe he still has some growth left in him? I'm hoping he continues to improve. His shot has been falling and his handle on the ball seemed strong in that game. Reggie Jackson was covering him pretty well.

 

[GDiama]

Just turned 21 so maybe he still has some growth left in him? I'm hoping he continues to improve. His shot has been falling and his handle on the ball seemed strong in that game. Reggie Jackson was covering him pretty well.

Of course he has growth left in him. It's just the fact that he doesn't seem anything special. Right now he is a liability on both ends of the floor. Reggie Jackson cannot cover shit btw.

Last season Simons was one of the worst rotation players in the league. There is plenty young guys that are way better in basketball than Simons so i think we are wasting our time with him. I think for example Zach can contribute even on a bench role, with Anfernee i have lost hope because he is bad at literally everything except for jumping high.

I wish we had someone like Payton Pritchard (Boston) in his place.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think our standards on what looks decent have dropped considerably with Simons. There is way too many rookies or second year players that look better already. Simons is in year 3 now.

I think you are right, our standards of how late 1st round picks with no college experience have dropped. As it should. Some players are drafted with a high-risk high reward and others are drafted to play right away.

Just to be clear you are saying we should cut him? That he is not a rotational player and never will be one?
I am sure someone will bump this thread in a year or two when he is 22-23 to see who was right.

 

[GDiama]

I think you are right, our standards of how late 1st round picks with no college experience have dropped. As it should. Some players are drafted with a high-risk high reward and others are drafted to play right away.

Just to be clear you are saying we should cut him? That he is not a rotational player and never will be one?
I am sure someone will bump this thread in a year or two when he is 22-23 to see who was right.

I wouldn't cut him since he is still under his rookie contract. I am saying we shouldn't give him any minutes and don't count him for any role right now. I prefer that CJ takes all backup pg minutes and Trent doesn't lose a second to Simons.
Feel free to bump this thread in 2 years. He is already 2+ years away from that kid without experience and hasn't taken a single step forward. That excuse is no more. He looks the same guy just a bit stronger maybe, but not strong enough. He still cannot pass or defend.

Btw when GM names him the steal of the draft and the most talented player he has drafted I don't think we can treat him as an ordinary 25th pick that didn't pan out.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Nolan Smith-esque.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I wouldn't cut him since he is still under his rookie contract. I am saying we shouldn't give him any minutes and don't count him for any role right now. I prefer that CJ takes all backup pg minutes and Trent doesn't lose a second to Simons.
Feel free to bump this thread in 2 years. He is already 2+ years away from that kid without experience and hasn't taken a single step forward. That excuse is no more. He looks the same guy just a bit stronger maybe, but not strong enough. He still cannot pass or defend.

Btw when GM names him the steal of the draft and the most talented player he has drafted I don't think we can treat him as an ordinary 25th pick that didn't pan out.

So don't cut him, don't play him, and treat him differently because Neil hyped him. Got it.

 

[HailBlazers]

Nolan Smith-esque.

Would have loved to see Simons after fours years at Duke and a national championship.

 

[GDiama]

So don't cut him, don't play him, and treat him differently because Neil hyped him. Got it.

No, just accept the hype was wrong and don't play him. Don't cut him because we need small contracts to fill out the roster and he is probably better than current free agents that would sign for the minimum. So keep him as 13th-14th player.

 

[wizenheimer]

the "Simons is young" excuse is starting to wear thin.

Luca Doncic is only 4 months older than Simons; Trae Young is 8 months older; Gary Trent is only 5 months older, as is Colin Sexton. Ja Morant is 2 months younger; RJ Barret is a year younger; Coby White is 8 months younger; Cam Reddish is 2 months younger; Tyler Herro is 7 months younger. All those guys were drafted earlier than Simons, but the main point is that they are actually realizing that potential they have instead of standing on it as an unlaunched platform

the horizon of potential has a shelf life....Simons may still have some potential, but the ceiling is dropping

 

[Pinwheel1]

the "Simons is young" excuse is starting to wear thin.

Luca Doncic is only 4 months older than Simons; Trae Young is 8 months older; Gary Trent is only 5 months older, as is Colin Sexton. Ja Morant is 2 months younger; RJ Barret is a year younger; Coby White is 8 months younger; Cam Reddish is 2 months younger; Tyler Herro is 7 months younger. All those guys were drafted earlier than Simons, but the main point is that they are actually realizing that potential they have instead of standing on it as an unlaunched platform

the horizon of potential has a shelf life....Simons may still have some potential, but the ceiling is dropping

Much of what you say may be true, but seriously Doncic? The guy started playing professionally at 16.
Granted Simons did not play well last year, but the original point of this conversation was that he is not looking any better.
But to most who have been watching, he does look better. And will only get better if he gets more experience. I think Terry playing him 6-10 minutes is wise. He is not hurting the team when he is out there. His D looks better and his handles look better. Either develop these young players or cut them loose.

 

[wizenheimer]

Much of what you say may be true, but seriously Doncic? The guy started playing professionally at 16.
Granted Simons did not play well last year, but the original point of this conversation was that he is not looking any better.
But to most who have been watching, he does look better. And will only get better if he gets more experience. I think Terry playing him 6-10 minutes is wise. He is not hurting the team when he is out there. His D looks better and his handles look better. Either develop these young players or cut them loose.

when the argument is youth holding some player back, then yeah, it's instructive to look at how comparably aged players are performing, and Doncic is close enough in age to count

so then, when the age argument loses steam, then there's a switch to it being "experience" that's holding him back. But, Simons played in 70 games last season and averaged 21 minutes; and did so with a consistent spot in the rotation. Simons has actually played more NBA minutes than Trent, and probably has had a more consistent allocation of playing time

All that's not to say he can't improve significantly from the level he's at right now. But it does mean that the initial evaluation of his ceiling should be revised downward by quite a bit

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Simons hasn't been given a chance, and he's been forced to play out of position.

 

[wizenheimer]

Simons hasn't been given a chance, and he's been forced to play out of position.

he averaged 21 minute last season over 70 games. That's a pretty decent chance. And he's played guard, which seems like his position.

 

[BonesJones]

the "Simons is young" excuse is starting to wear thin.

Luca Doncic is only 4 months older than Simons; Trae Young is 8 months older; Gary Trent is only 5 months older, as is Colin Sexton. Ja Morant is 2 months younger; RJ Barret is a year younger; Coby White is 8 months younger; Cam Reddish is 2 months younger; Tyler Herro is 7 months younger. All those guys were drafted earlier than Simons, but the main point is that they are actually realizing that potential they have instead of standing on it as an unlaunched platform

the horizon of potential has a shelf life....Simons may still have some potential, but the ceiling is dropping

Gore in the world has RJ Barrett realized anything? Dudes been terrible. Nobody is saying their isnt prospects better than Simons. Comparing Simons to Luka freakin' Doncic just to knock Simons is kinda ridiculous.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Sometimes I think Wizenheimer is the most mis-understood guy on here: he must feel like his wife is posting under different monikers...

 

[wizenheimer]

Gore in the world has RJ Barrett realized anything? Dudes been terrible. Nobody is saying their isnt prospects better than Simons. Comparing Simons to Luka freakin' Doncic just to knock Simons is kinda ridiculous.

I was comparing the AGES of players because people keep pointing at Ant's age as an excuse for his slow development. And lately, the excuse has become "experience" even though he got consistent and significant playing time last season

to be sure, young players will improve, sometimes dramatically, as they mature and gain experience. I expect Simons will do likewise. But, IMO, it isn't just age or experience holding Simons back, it's also talent and level of skills. Maybe he's due for an explosion in production and efficiency sometime this year like Trent had last year. But barring injuries, he's unlikely to receive much playing time this season, especially early

I'm not one of those advocating for Simons to be waived. He's a cheap salary for the next 2 years and Portland needs those.

 

[kjironman1]

I was comparing the AGES of players because people keep pointing at Ant's age as an excuse for his slow development. And lately, the excuse has become "experience" even though he got consistent and significant playing time last season

to be sure, young players will improve, sometimes dramatically, as they mature and gain experience. I expect Simons will do likewise. But, IMO, it isn't just age or experience holding Simons back, it's also talent and level of skills. Maybe he's due for an explosion in production and efficiency sometime this year like Trent had last year. But barring injuries, he's unlikely to receive much playing time this season, especially early

I'm not one of those advocating for Simons to be waived. He's a cheap salary for the next 2 years and Portland needs those.

I usually try to stay away from age and go for experience. I use minutes played. Before last season ant had a grand total of 141 mins played. Last year he did get some run. Almost 1500 mins played. It showed as well. You could see marked improvement in decision making. As a player gets to 2000 minutes which is essentially a years worth of playing time. They start to develop chemistry and the game tends to "Slow Down" as they say.
Compare that with Luka and you can see since he started playing professionally he has 10,000+ minutes. Just in the NBA he is closing on 5000. My bet is you will continue to see improvement for 1M this year.
Lets compare that to Gary Trent who has about 1500 total minutes also. Obviously we are starting to see "GT" as i like to call him, get comfortable. This year could be really good for both.
If these two continue to play well and avoid the injury bug the Blazers depth is going to be off the charts. They need both of them. What i would love to see is being able to match teams using both of their still sets on given nights. It's a great thing to have for any coach.

 

[MickZagger]

You re-do his draft and Simons goes mid-second/undrafted.

Athletic freak with a jumper but he’s in year #3 and doesn’t look anywhere near even being a rotation player.

If anyone needs the NBDL it’s most definitely him.

He’s also the age of most rookies.