#24 Anfernee Simons

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by TBpup, Jun 21, 2018.

  1. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    the Blazers were just not a well built team last year. Not enough shooters or players who can create for others or themselves.
    Basically, it was Damian and CJ who can create shots for themselves, Damian who can create shots for others, and Damian, CJ and Aminu who can shoot 3's.


    It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that to beat the team you gotta force anyone but Damian and CJ to score/create.
     
  2. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    Where could Dame be traded to where he'd have a better situation than Portland, and the Blazers would receive fair compensation?

    Dame isn't going anywhere any time soon.
     
  3. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Probably the Lakers and Philly are the two I can think of.
     
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  4. LuckyShot

    LuckyShot Well-Known Member

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    I was mostly confused why we picked someone that seems to duplicate what we already have after we'd already signed two other young guards in FA, and who we wouldn't count on to start anytime soon unless we make a CJ trade, and Neil doesn't seem like he'd trade CJ for anyone but LeBron.

    But yeah after watching Simons his potential is very obvious. Still not sure how he fits yet. My guess is no one really does, Neil just went with who he thought had the highest ceiling at that pick.
     
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  5. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah that's why I said "get us in the discussion".
     
  6. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

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    The conventional wisdom when picking that late is you go with BPA. Many recommend picking the BPA no matter where you are drafting. Some people were just as flabbergasted when we "wasted" a lottery pick on C.J. when we already had Wesley Matthews as our starting SG. We all know how that worked out.

    In any case, many people who were shitting all over Olshey on draft night, are now signing Simons' praises.

    Having actually watched him play, it's easy to see why many draft sites had him pegged as a lottery pick next year, if he hadn't declared for this year's draft. The talent is clearly there. What is surprising most people is his composure. His defense has also looked much better than expected for a "skinny 19-year old kid with no college experience".

    There wasn't anyone available at 24 that would instantly vault us into contention, so why not go with the most talented player available and sort it all out down the road? At the very least, Simons could turn out to be a valuable trading ship (although now, I'm hoping we keep him).

    Concerning Curry and Stauskas - both are on cheap 1-yer deals. They, pus Baldwin, will initially get the bulk of the Connaughton/Napier minutes. Neil probably figured Simons and Trent Jr., both being just 19, wouldn't be ready to crack the rotation this season, but if they are it's a good thing. Who knows, it may be Curry or Stauskas who ends up being a trading chip at the deadline.

    Of course, the elephant in the room is the possibility of trading C.J. for a significant upgrade at one of the forward spots. Curry and Stauskas can hold down the fort until Simons is ready to slide into the C.J. roll. We're certainly much deeper at guard than we've been in a very long time, which opens up many options for possible trades.

    Bottom line, it's looking like a great pick at 24. The young man may be ready to compete at the NBA level sooner than most had assumed.

    BNM
     
  7. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

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    I want to see more of running the offense through Nurk in the high post. It worked great during Nurk fever, and also through Plumlee during the LAC series. We spent all last season force feeding Nurk in the low post. As a team, I think we're actually better surrounding him with 4 shooters, which we can now do, and feeding him in the high post.

    Of course, the best option is to mix it up. Give the defense different looks to keep them off balance. A Dame/Nurk pick and roll here, Nurk on the low box there, and then finish them off with Nurk hitting cutters and shooters from the high post.

    In other words, more ball/player movement and less iso. By the end of the season, our offense was looking an awful lot like a 2009 Nate McMillan all iso all the time game plan. That failed to work back then in the playoffs, and there is no way in hell it as going to work now.

    People here keep talking about Neil wanting to surround Tuner (yech) with shooters, when surrounding Nurk with shooters may be far more effective. Maybe that was the plan all along.

    BNM
     
  8. Driew

    Driew Well-Known Member

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    Ant had two assists tonight! He struggled on offense for most of the game but turned it on late. He was moving his feet pretty well on defense too. This kid is going to be special.
     
  9. James lamphear

    James lamphear Well-Known Member

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    They probably red shirt him this year and maybe Gary too. But with Curry and Nick and Baldwin are only on 1 year contract. Only see these 2 guys in rotation is olshey making trades.
     
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  10. Driew

    Driew Well-Known Member

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    Yeah unless injuries happen I think Ant will spend a lot of time in the g league this year. Then next year take over Curry's minutes if he leaves.
     
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  11. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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  12. Driew

    Driew Well-Known Member

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    What the hell this kid is crazy athletic!
     
  13. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    I bet being in an nba weight room made him even more explosive, along with just natural growth.
     
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  14. hoopsjock

    hoopsjock Well-Known Member

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    I wish I knew what that felt like to be looking down on the rim on a regulation size hoop.
     
  15. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    where the hell did that come from? did he grow?
     
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  16. Driew

    Driew Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure he's grown a couple of inches since the draft combine.
     
  17. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

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    Looks like he barely tried to jump.
     
  18. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

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    Sigh haha
     
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  19. B-Roy

    B-Roy If it takes months

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    They look so effortless.
     
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  20. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Every year I pick my favorite Blazer. In Summer League, I picked this guy.

    Anybody doubts my boy, HE ANSWERS TO ME. Any questionsgood.

    (Put questions and good together as one word.)
     

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