For those of you who value analytics, Anfernee Simons is having one of the worst seasons of all time

I just wish people would give him that at least, and not focus on every single possession/game. Judge him in the aggregate, and consider his role on the team, etc. Think everyone is on the same page that if he doesn't show anything, you cut your losses.

 

He played 70 games last season, 20 minutes a game over those 70 games. Pretending that this is new this year is just masking the point that on a team with Kanter and Melo, he is the worst defender. These last two games teams are going out of there way to get him on the ball as a defender because he can't stay in front of people and when he is off the ball he is out of position. Does the team have defensive philosophy problems, probably, but a big reason is because Ant is bad. As for your previous point, is Dame every going to be on a NBA All defensive team no, but to even compare the two of them on the defensive end is laughable.

 

dude dame had his back to his defender on multiple possessions when they had the ball in their hands. mike muscala drove right around Lillard twice to the rim. Defensive miscues come very frequently on this team. But to place blame on Simons for yesterday makes no sense to me. I just want improvement from everyone.

 

Ant is gonna be a nice featured player when we end up rebuilding one day

 

Am I crazy here? Simons looks noticeably bigger to me this year. Taller and stronger.

 

somebody has to get the ball to those 'shooters'. That's the role of a PG, usually; especially when a scheme is as remedial as Portland's

as far as the role of a PG to score...if it's true, maybe it shouldn't be. In the Olshey/Stotts era, if you look at bench production, bench assists, and efficiency. Portland is always near the bottom of the league. Maybe that's because the GM doesn't believe in a backup PG

 

my ceiling for Simons is a prime Lou Williams. Lou only came into his own later into his career when he figured out how to draw fouls. Think Simons ends up a better shooter, when it's all said and done.

And that 6th man role who plays 25-30 mpg is about the most we can expect for him with Dame/CJ ahead of him.

We don't NEED a traditional PG per se, but it would be a nice luxury to have someone next to him who can create and defend. Someone like Satoransky whose wasting away in Chicago.

 

At no point did I place the blame on Ant for yesterday, but at the same time he is not good on the defensive end. Did Dame have his best game no, but he is still a better defender then Ant. You were saying Ant is just inexperienced and he is in his third year and has been force fed minutes in every year. I hope he becomes a serviceable NBA Player, but he is barely there on Offense and a sieve on defense.

 

It seems he already is a much better rebounder than Trent. Averages about one more rebound per 36 and his total rebounding % is twice that of Trent's. Trent is trending down and Anf up.

 

I was wondering about that also? Or has he just let his hair get taller?

 

I think they might actually dump Trent some time; watching his facial and body language, I think it's possible he is not happy here. And he is not working as hard as he used to; his total rebounding % has fallen from a low 5.3% his first year to a dismal 3.3% this year.

 

could be

but a Dame-CJ-Simons rotation might be the worst defensive 3 guard rotation of all time. Good luck with that

 

Because he could easily be a starter for another team. I don't think he wants to be CJ's backup forever.

 

I’ve noticed the same thing. There was a photo on ESPN last week with Ant standing next to Dame and he looked at least 2” taller than Dame and just as thick, if not as muscular. Then again, Dame is 30 and has grown man strength now.

 

He’s a poor man’s Wes Matthews without the effort on defense.

Signing with Klutch has gotten into his head it seems. Really bad body language all year. Maybe he thinks he’s accomplished more than he actually has in the NBA? He’s a great spot-up shooter and an average defender. He’s not a playmaker and won’t ever be one.

 

To me, he looked like 6-5 his rookie year, 6-4 last year, and 6-3 this year. This explains why people can't see improvement, which I hope occurs while we can see him.

 

more like this

 

He's figuring it out, even with that damn minutes restriction.