There’s been dialogue aplenty about one of many latest Boston Celtics, Anfernee Simons. He’s definitely a trigger for confusion; the typical NBA fan is not sure if he’s 22 years outdated or 30. Simons has seemingly been round without end, however continues to be younger. And for a 26-year-old averaging 19.9 factors and 4.5 assists per sport on 50% from two, 38% from three, and 90% from the road over the previous 4 seasons, he was handled as wage matching as an alternative of a reputable asset. Many are confused as to why a participant like Anfernee was handled as a throw-in.
So, why is the league so down on Simons? Protection, protection, protection.
If there’s one factor folks in NBA circles agree on, it’s that he’s a tough defender. However one key individual isn’t down on Simons’ protection: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. Hear from Simons himself about what his new coach is telling him.
Based on Simons, he and Mazzulla have been tied on the hip all offseason, and it exhibits. Solely somebody spending an extreme period of time with Boston’s coach-philosopher says that their protection is fully as much as how badly they need it. However Simons goes to should do much more than merely need it. Once you break down the defensive movie from final 12 months in Portland, issues are ugly.
He’s obtained measurements you’d need from a point-of-attack defender at 6’3” with a +4 wingspan. His athleticism is ok by NBA requirements, and also you’d suppose he may make an affect. Nevertheless it’s the technical elements that do him in as a point-of-attack defender; taking dangerous angles on screens, being unable to work over screens, and struggling to contest pictures are frequent issues.
Portland had few defensive weak hyperlinks final 12 months, and will afford to cover Simons off the ball. However issues weren’t a lot better there. A serial ball-watcher, Simons was usually late to make his rotations and closeouts. Switches had been a major drawback. And he usually ran round like a rooster with out a head when the rotations obtained lengthy and complex.
It was typical to see Simons being hunted, even when off the ball, with pin-down screens, curls, flares, and all kinds of actions to free shooters. Typically it was simply so simple as a dribble handoff to see if he’d confuse the swap, or a primary backdoor reduce. It’s the explanation why his defensive numbers look so tough.
Regardless of having most of his 70 begins this 12 months come alongside Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija, two excellent defenders, Portland’s protection was a lot worse with Simons on the ground than off. Based on Cleansing the Glass, the Blazers’ protection was 2.5 factors per 100 possessions worse with Anfernee on the courtroom; that’s a twenty eighth percentile mark. It’s really an enchancment from his earlier season, the place they had been 5.3 factors per 100 worse.
Particular person numbers don’t paint a good image both. Simons’ 0.2% block charge in 2024/25 was the bottom amongst gamers to play not less than 2,000 minutes. For steal charge, solely Bub Carrington, Keyonte George, and Devin Booker performed 2,000 minutes on the guard spots and had worse marks. His dangerous on/offs and lack of stat affect culminated in a -1.3 defensive estimated plus-minus, per Dunks and Threes. That was twelfth percentile amongst all defenders. In some way this was an enchancment on final season, the place Simons’ -2.8 D-EPM was the worst mark within the league.
There are components to think about right here. When Simons was drafted, Neil Olshey was the GM and Terry Stotts was the pinnacle coach. Now Chauncey Billups is on the helm, trying to instill a defense-first ethos, and Joe Cronin makes the entrance workplace calls. It’s not loopy to imagine that Simons might have seen the writing on the wall, and his effort suffered because of this — tough to carry out effectively in a job when you’re going to be fired.
Simons can also be heading right into a contract 12 months, hoping to hit free company subsequent 12 months at 27 on the heels of a wonderful all-around season. As soon as once more surrounded by good defenders, his task issue might be low. An uptick in focus and defensive approach may produce satisfactory outcomes that justify his presence on the ground.
Maybe Joe Mazzulla’s philosophy has rubbed off on Simons this offseason, and he’s able to compete defensively. Nevertheless it’s unparalleled to see a participant leap from a bottom-tier defender to a great one, not to mention common. When judging Simons’ protection this season, ensure you go into your judgments with the right expectations. That method, you’ll by no means be dissatisfied.
