Guard Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers came into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers still lacking consistency.
They lost against the Lakers 107-98, and none of them came. With five of thirteen shots, including one of six from three-point range, Simons finished the game with fourteen points. Despite having three turnovers, he also contributed four assists.
The seventh-year guard had again another poor night. At 25, he has regressed as he has adapted to his new job as the team’s lead guard, who is trusted to lead the team and be the main scorer.
“Obviously, it’s a new transition for everybody,” Simons stated after practice on Saturday. Just a different kind of play. All I’m trying to do is do whatever it takes for us to work things out together. I’m simply trying to be myself inside the new system and what we’re trying to accomplish, even if it doesn’t seem like I’m performing as well as I used to. And it may need sacrifice. For all members of the team, sacrifice is necessary.
Simons has struggled to strike a balance between creating plays and scoring goals, and the Blazers, who are 8-16, have suffered as a result.
He shot 32.9% from three-point range and 40.2% from the field going into Sunday.
Simons just had a spectacular three-game run. He shot 58.7% from the field and 53.6% on three-point tries, averaging 26.0 points and 6.7 assists.
The run he achieved last season after returning from an 18-game absence due to a thumb ligament injury was more consistent with the points and assists. Simons shot 40.4% from three-point range and 45.8% from the field in ten games, averaging 28 points and 5.4 assists.
Simons averaged just 10.5 points in the two games before to Sunday, shooting 30.8% from the field and 15.4% from beyond the arc, giving the impression that perhaps that version of Simons had returned.
According to Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Simons’ top priority is to continuously play faster in order to put pressure on opposition defenders.
“That’s a change for him,” Billups stated.
On December 6, 2024, in Portland, Oregon, Anfernee Simons #1 passes Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups during the first half of the team’s game against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images photo)Getty Pictures
This is in part because Simons saw eight-time All-standout and former Blazers standout Damian Lillard, who is a master of the halfcourt, during his first five seasons.
Billups stated that was his big brother.
Billups went on to say that Simons has to put part of what he had learnt from Lillard aside.
“They are different players, so he needs to change and try to play a little faster,” Billups stated.
Billups claims that defenses latch into Simons when he throttles down, blitzing him or putting bigger defenders in front of him to prevent scoring opportunities.
All of that changes when Simons attacks first before switching into half-court mode, utilizing his quickness and athleticism.
According to Billups, the opposing team gets scared when Ant is coming down with speed. Indeed, they are. since he is able to pull up. He moves fast enough to pass. However, they are content when he plays slowly. That’s his largest adjustment, then. In order for him to be more in attack mode, I’m trying to encourage him to play much faster. That should free him up.
Simons has not lost his patience. He has come to terms with the process and has faith that everything will work itself out in due time.
He stated that as long as we’re working together to improve as a team, I’m prepared to accept the outcome, no matter what it may be.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
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