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The guard is taking flak from fans. Should the front office listen?
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons has become a lightning rod for criticism during Portland’s sub-.500 performance this season. Fans are quibbling about his attributes, approach, and suitability. With the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline approaching, Simons’ name has popped up locally in trade suggestions. Today’s Blazer’s Edge Mailbag covers the concerns of one reader who is afraid the Blazers won’t do it.
Dave,
I read and listened with interest as Chris Haynes talked about Ant being untouchable. I think he’s very touchable and in fact I worry that the only thing that might make him untouchable is his salary now. He doesn’t play defense and he’s an isolation scorer in a time when there’s so many of them already. I think either Chris or management have a screw loose. Tell me your screws are tighter please. Am I right?
Kel
You’re forthright. That’s good!
Simons is 23, a 22 point per game scorer, carrying average shooting percentages. In past years he’s been a super efficient three-point threat, so average looks bad by comparison. But perspective: when your bad is everybody else’s average, you’re not too bad.
Simons is scheduled to earn between $22.3 million this year and $27.7 million in 2025-26, with raises in between that make the contract average out to $25 million per year. If this were 2016, that’d cause sticker shock. But for this generation of NBA starting guards, particularly point-producers, that deal may end up being slightly low. Simons may not be the perfect fit for the team on the floor right now, but his contract is right-sized.
It’s also important to know that the “fit” question goes both ways. The Blazers need a better defender at the two guard than Simons is right now. They also need his three-point percentage to rise again. But why do they need those things? Because Damian Lillard will prosper with that kind of partner. Lillard isn’t exactly suffering, but ideally, Portland would be better defensively and make enough threes to keep the pressure off of their superstar, Fair enough.
But let’s pretend for a moment that Lillard isn’t in the backcourt. Pair Simons with Random Average NBA Guard. Do you like Ant better now? Odds are, you would. His ability to score would be a huge asset, necessary for any team to succeed in this era of the NBA. We’d be talking about the potential of his playmaking and floor-stretching. We’d be remembering him winning the 2021 All-Star Slam Dunk Contest and touting his athleticism. We’d surmise that this was only the beginning, and that the Blazers got a steal, acquiring Simons for a low first-rounder and keeping him on a reasonable contract. We’d be gloating over the 27-year-old Ant was going to grow into instead of complaining about the 23-year-old version he’s showing now.
That, in part, is why the Blazers [evidently] feel like they do. For them, Simons isn’t an easily-replaceable commodity. That’s true even now, let alone when he enters his prime.
What if Lillard doesn’t work out? What if age or injuries catch up to him? What if he ever wants to leave, even though he swears up and down that it’ll never happen?
This team has a bright line running down the middle between Lillard and everybody else, or at least between Lillard and a couple veterans versus the rest of the squad. On one side of that line stand the “win now” crew. They’re small in number, but Lillard makes them weighty by his mere presence. Remove that presence and precious little weight remains.
The other side of the line, the developmental crew, is led by Simons. If, for whatever reason, “win now” doesn’t work out, Simons is the fulcrum of the future. That doesn’t mean he’s the most talented player. That might turn out to be Shaedon Sharpe for all we know. It doesn’t mean he’s the most accomplished player. Jerami Grant looks to be stepping into that role. But removing Simons, leaving just Grant and Sharpe, leaves a huge hole and a bunch of speculation. Where’s the combo-skill guard who can hit threes and score off the dribble but still set up teammates?
Having been flooded with them over the last few years, Blazers fans have forgotten what it’s like to be without that kind of player. How many years did Portland burn draft picks on point guards? How many veterans and guard combos did they try? That era wasn’t pretty, even though much of it was spent with Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge in tow.
Simons is Portland’s off-ramp onto a new highway. Without him, that exit is going to be a lot tighter. If the Blazers forego that possibility, they have to broaden the highway they’re on and make sure it leads directly to contention. If a Simons deal doesn’t do that, they’re not going to pursue it.
You’re absolutely correct that this doesn’t fix the 2022-23 season one bit. But current frustration doesn’t alleviate the need for future planning. Stopping the pain is a poor reason to make a trade in professional sports.
Right now, the Blazers don’t even have that much to cry about, except...oops! Too many guards who aren’t quite meshing together yet. If they can parlay that talent surplus into a more workable roster while keeping finances in check, I’ll bet they go for it. For now, Simons being “untouchable” doesn’t indicate that he’s the be all and end all of guards, but that they don’t see the road forward opening up with any deal that includes him right now. He’s worth more to their future than he’d bring in trade at present.
That’s a smart, fair stance to take. Until Mr. Championship comes available for a Simons package, I don’t expect they’ll move off it.
Thanks for the question! You can always send yours to [email protected] and we’ll try to answer!
Dave Deckard
https://www.blazersedge.com/2023/1/19/23562461/nba-trade-deadline-2022-anfernee-simons-portland-trail-blazers-stats-contract-damian-lillard
By: Dave Deckard
Title: Why the Blazers Won’t Trade Anfernee Simons
Sourced From: www.blazersedge.com/2023/1/19/23562461/nba-trade-deadline-2022-anfernee-simons-portland-trail-blazers-stats-contract-damian-lillard
Published Date: 01-20-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Bill Russell go to heaven?
"The great ones always play when it is most important." Bill Russell
A legend lives for ever. When he stops playing, a legend is gone.
But, for those few minutes, the greatest player in basketball gave us a glimpse to his greatness.
Russell was born in February 1934. He died on July 31, 2022. In 13 seasons, he won 11 titles with the Boston Celtics.
Bill Russell won five MVP awards and 12 All-Star selections. He was inducted into The Basketball Hall of Fame. He was a phenomenal leader and defender who revolutionized the sport with his passion to win.
He transformed the Celtics team from a poor one to one of sports' greatest dynasties. He was an unselfish friend and competitor who instilled confidence in his teammates to realize their potential.
Russell has inspired generations of players, coaches, and fans alike. His legacy will never fade.
Bill Russell, Rest in Peace. We will forever remember you as one of basketball's greatest players.
What is the greatest NBA team?
That is a hotly debated topic that has been discussed for decades. The "showtime Lakers of 80-1989" dominated this league for almost a decade, winning five championships. The Lakers also had superstars such as James Worthy, Byron Scott, and Kurt Rambis in their lineup during this period.
From 200 to 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers, later called the Shaw and Kobe Lakers became a force to reckon with. They were defeated by Shaquille Bryant and Kobe Bryant, both Hall of Famers. They won three consecutive championships between 2000 and 2002.
The 1990s Chicago Bulls were also a dominant force, winning six championships as a team under Phil Jackson, their legendary head coach, and being led by Michael Jordan who is widely considered to be the greatest player ever. The Chico Bulls (1995-1996) are one of the most famous teams in NBA History. They won three consecutive NBA championships and had a record 72 wins. The Golden State Warriors later broke the Bulls' 72-10 regular season record in 2015-2016.
The Boston Celtics of 1960s are the most well-known dynasty of NBA history, having won eight consecutive titles and 11 titles under Hall of Fame head coach Red Auerbach. Legendary players like Sam Jones, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek led the Celtics to a winning culture that has lasted for decades.
The San Antonio Spurs are another contender for the title of best NBA dynasty. From 1999 to 2007 the Spurs won four league championships and had one among the most impressive runs in league history. Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, Manu and Manu Ginobili, all future Hall of Famers, helped improve the team's basketball style, emphasizing a team first mentality that led to their success.
The Golden State Warriors are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, with four championships in the last decade. They are led by superstar players Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and head coach Steve Kerr. The Warriors have a unique brand of basketball that has won over fans all over the world. They are also considered to be the greatest NBA dynasty.
The task of choosing the greatest NBA dynasty is not an easy one. Each team had its own unique set of players and coaches that made it successful. However, some were more successful than others because of their dominance. You could argue that the greatest NBA dynasty was made up of the Bulls, Bulls Bulls, Celtics Spurs, Spurs, and Warriors.
What does NBA waive?
A team can officially release a player from their roster if they have "waived". This can happen for many reasons including salary cap issues or disciplinary action. If a player is deemed to be unrestricted and free to sign with any team within the league, they can become a restricted free agent. If the player was not waived by March 1st, the previous season, they will not be eligible to play in this year's postseason.
How much does a NBA ref make?
Referees for the National Basketball Association (NBA), are paid competitive salaries to perform their officiating duties. An average NBA referee makes between $150,000 to $550,000 annually. The pay scale is dependent on experience. More experienced referees earn higher salaries. Referees who work in the playoffs and finals are paid higher than those who have additional roles such as training refs or working at the video review centre. A few NBA refs also earn royalties and endorsements for their work on television or other media outlets. All in all, being an NBA referee is a lucrative job that can provide a stable source of income if one is willing to put in the necessary work and dedication.
NBA referees get a salary in addition to retirement and health plans. Referees are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make critical calls that can affect a game's outcome. Referees can also receive subsidised accommodations, meals and travel costs to away games. As referees strive for perfection on court, this can offer additional peace of mind.
NBA referees make a decent salary for their hard work and dedication, especially when they are responsible for enforcing rules during one of the world's most popular sports. While the job can be difficult, referees have the opportunity to make a positive impact on basketball.
What is a buyout in the NBA?
A buyout in the NBA is a contractual agreement between a team and a player. This agreement allows the team to pay the remainder of the contract amount the player was entitled. This allows players to become free agents and sign with any other team in the league as soon as their buyout is complete. The league allows teams to change their roster composition or reduce their salaries during the season.
What rivalry does the NBA have?
The NBA's greatest rivalry is between the Boston Celtics (the Boston Celtics) and Los Angeles Lakers (the Los Angeles Lakers).
With 12 meetings, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have been together the most of any NBA Finals teams. The Celtics have won nine of those meetings. They first met in 1959. Both teams excelled in the years following, especially in the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s when they would be facing each other six and three times respectively. The new millennium marked 2000, but the two teams still met twice within the same year.
Who holds the record in terms of career playoff wins for the NBA?
LeBron Jam is the leading figure in the NBA Playoffs history with 174 wins and 266 games, so it's no surprise that he's one of the most sought after basketball players.
Statistics
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Meanwhile, the opening night rosters include a record-setting 234 players with some G League experience, according to the NBA ( Twitter link ). (hoopsrumors.com)
External Links
nba.com
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
sbnation.com
si.com
- NBA Free Agency Preview: The Biggest Questions and Rumors
- Free From Quarantine: The NBA Bubble Is A Unique Experience
How To
How do players of the NBA All-Star Game get chosen?
A combination of current player, media, and fan voting determines which 24 players will compete in the NBA All-Star Game. The vote is 50 percent cast by fans, with 25 percent each from the media and current player. Each group's votes count as one, and each group submits their ballots simultaneously. Each conference selects the players by position (2 guards, 2 forwards, and 1 center). The NBA Commissioner will pick a replacement for any player who becomes incapacitated or injured due to other reasons. The All-Star Game features a series of predetermined games in which the players are competing against each other. The team with the highest points total at the end after four quarters wins is declared the winner. Each year, the winner team receives an extra donation for their charity foundation.
Additionally, the most valuable player in the game receives a special award. Because it brings together the best talent from both conferences, the All-Star Game is a highly anticipated event in the NBA every year. It is a great opportunity for fans to see their favourite players face off and see who comes out on top. The All-Star Game also serves as a showcase for some of the most exciting players in the NBA, and it's an event that fans look forward to every year. The NBA All-Star Game's unique selection process will ensure that the game provides entertainment and talent.
