I do remember noticing at one point in the first half that on 3 consecutive times down the court, 3 different Blazers started out guarding Ja as he crossed half court. Hart, Winslow, and one other that I can't remember....... but it wasn't Ant. It made no difference...
Shams looks like a plastic Ken doll..... is he wearing the same outfit that he's wearing in his profile pic?
Not sure if the Twitter post is full version of video since it wont play on my phone, but here is YouTube nonetheless
Some Ant and Morant while the Blazers are on defense. 1st half. I don't see any problem with Simons' defense compared with other Blazers. (The sound volume is very low on this one. It's not your equipment.)
Ants midrange is already incredible and some would say even unbelievable. He’s at 48% from 3-22 ft. That rivals CP3’s midrange. Dame for example is 40% career. Ant’s got a floater, something Dame never mastered. That’s so valuable as it gives you an extra option. Ant’s close in mid-range is over 50% this year, while Dame’s career is 33%. I also think Ant is fundamentally a better passer than Dame. That floater and his lethal midrange in general allows him to play slower in the paint whereas Dame, once he’s attacking the rim he’s going all out full speed which makes seeing teammates and passing out more difficult. His 3 point release is the closest thing I’ve seen to Steph Curry. Shooting on the way up is supposed to be scientifically the best form as it makes good use of the legs. But none of that can offset getting to the line like Dame does and padding your TS% with 90% shots. He’s got to add add that.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/...Star-but-how-much-16936511.php#photo-22091414 if Poole is getting 4/80, Ant is getting at least 4/100
As of this Tuesday, the Vegas website linked below is taking bets with Ja Morant, Miles Bridges, Darius Garland & Dejounte Murray being far far more likely winners of the MIP. https://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/odds/most-improved/ STOMP
As far as my 9 year old nephew is concerned, the Blazers are the world champions! Of course in reality they haven't put together a contending roster in his lifetime and then some. Also in reality, it doesn't matter what a player is listed. What matters far more is how big players actually are. In their respective pre-draft measurements Booker measured 2.25" taller then Ant did. He was also 20 lbs heavier and had a 3" standing reach advantage. Of course you know this as you're cherry picking stats from pre-draft measurements and their listings to arrive at a desired conclusion. Both Ant and Dame are tremendous PG sized talents and play best with the ball in their hands. I'm hoping this offseason Portland makes the necessary moves to put together a roster with talents that compliment each other and become a contender again. STOMP
The season isn't over and with all the injuries, pretty likely Ant gets plenty of gaudy stats from here on out. Maybe you should place a bet?! STOMP
Sports Illustrated The Rise of Portland’s Next Great Guard With Damian Lillard sidelined and CJ McCollum traded, Anfernee Simons is shining for the Trail Blazers. https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2022/02/24/anfernee-simons-blazers-next-great-point-guard
"Under first-year coach Chauncey Billups, Simons feels as if he has been given the opportunity to play through his mistakes" No shit, Stotts never allowed young guys to make mistakes without pulling them out of the game. Meanwhile some other guys could play as bad as they wanted without ever getting benched
i was as big a stotts hater as anyone else, but I do want to point out that it's a lot easier for Chauncey to do this when wins/losses don't matter.
To be fair stotts couldn't afford to lose games his teams had expectations and not making the playoffs was unacceptable.
It's also much easier for a coach to allow Ant to "play thru his mistakes" when Dennis Smith is the alternative than when Dame is the alternative