What’s Anfernee Simon’s potential?

[taufblazers33]

The dude has been ballin for the past month with Lillard out and looks on par, if not better, than his backcourt partner CJ. What’s his ceiling as a player? Jamal Crawford comes to mind.

[DusterBuster]

Jamal Crawford is a weird comp. I don’t really see much similarities between Simons and Jamal.

[Blazer1776]

Ive loved the Anfernee pick since it was made.

He has a lighting quick release, is a great shooter, and can generally get to any spot on the court. His passing has been picking up too, as he has finally had time to work as the lead guard for extended amounts of times. He is over 7+ apg as a starter this season I believe.

His defense was horrendous but has taken some major steps , even though he still has a long ways to go. If he can continue to improve on this end, him and Dame are going to work well together and he will be Dames successor.

There aren’t many young guards I would take over him. I expect atleast Norm or CJ to be gone by the deadline and both by the time the draft rolls around. I very well could see both being dealt at the deadline also.

EDIT: Jason Quick (PDX writer) has stated that there are 2 untouchables on the roster. Dame and Ant.

[Case2012]

I think he would be an all star on a team like Detroit, Orlando or Indiana. As a lead guard I think he can average 24-26 ppg and 6 or 7 apg pretty easy, he's still just 22.

I was hoping the blazers would use Simons as the centerpiece for an all-star level trade at the deadline. They need some scoring from a different position than guard, given the success that has had in the playoffs.

[Dzon Dilindzer]

definitely all-star material, at worst third best player on a really good team

his growth in playmaking is astonishing, given hes actually a shooting guard

[Viper1500]

Does Portland resign him to the max? Orlando could clearly use his scoring but I would be scared to give him the max.

Maybe he'd give us that hometown discount

[EH15]

Anyone see Arenas? Was looking at Gil's breakout and it was at about this age as well.

[JRoy]

Lou Williams better from outside, not as smart with the ball

[walk with me]

A less fancy Lou Williams

[strokerace]

At best, just like his team mate CJ.

[Madhouse]

he is good on offense, bad on defense.

Unless he turns around his defense, he is a slightly positive impact player.

He is still only 22 so maybe he takes more steps but right now giving him the max would be a big mistake.

[DusterBuster]

Does Portland resign him to the max? Orlando could clearly use his scoring but I would be scared to give him the max.

Maybe he'd give us that hometown discount

I think portland is prepared to match anything this summer according to reports from writers close to the team.

If he gives Orlando a home town discount, blazers would love that! Would save them a good amount of money when they match it.

[DusterBuster]

he is good on offense, bad on defense.

Unless he turns around his defense, he is a slightly positive impact player.

He is still only 22 so maybe he takes more steps but right now giving him the max would be a big mistake.

You literally couldn’t be more wrong about his defense if you tried.

Read on Twitter

?s=21

The Blazers are a better defensive team when he’s on the floor and he’s second only to Nurkic in that category.

Maybe research before you hot take there guy.

[JRoy]

He has been a trash defender but has been a lot better on that end this year. Not sure how much of that is Billups, maturity or contract year focus.

[BostonCouchGM]

I had him as the 2nd best PG from his draft class after SGA but knew we wouldn't see it since he got drafted by an organization with Lillard and CJ blocking him. Yes, over Trae and Doncic (but I don't consider him a PG) They had just given them both massive contracts so it was the worst team he could go to. I always worry about "too cool for school" types like him, Ingram, Fultz, Simmons and Cunnhingham. These types never seem to want to show the world they're hustling or trying too hard. Which ends up becoming a reality as they rarely ever DO try hard enough especially on the defensive side of the ball. And Simons doesn't dedicate himself on defense. But maybe he will given more playing time and a bigger role going forward? If he does he has top 5 upside but I'm guessing he doesn't so he settles in as a top 10 PG.

[SelfishPlayer]

His ceiling is Dame Lillard.

[Lockdown504090]

he is good on offense, bad on defense.

Unless he turns around his defense, he is a slightly positive impact player.

He is still only 22 so maybe he takes more steps but right now giving him the max would be a big mistake.

You literally couldn’t be more wrong about his defense if you tried.

Read on Twitter

?s=21

The Blazers are a better defensive team when he’s on the floor and he’s second only to Nurkic in that category.

Maybe research before you hot take there guy.

the blazers are a dumpster fire defensively, so comparison isnt really a determination of his ability. Hes also very poor in numerous other aspects of defense as the tweet goes on to further explain, pointing out one thing hes done well is almost like saying "look at his steals" ive been watching though, his brain at least looks like its on now, theres no reason for him not to be better, hes 22, great measurables and a super athlete, hes gotta be better than this.

[Blazer1776]

I had him as the 2nd best PG from his draft class after SGA but knew we wouldn't see it since he got drafted by an organization with Lillard and CJ blocking him. Yes, over Trae and Doncic (but I don't consider him a PG) They had just given them both massive contracts so it was the worst team he could go to. I always worry about "too cool for school" types like him, Ingram, Fultz, Simmons and Cunnhingham. These types never seem to want to show the world they're hustling or trying too hard. Which ends up becoming a reality as they rarely ever DO try hard enough especially on the defensive side of the ball. And Simons doesn't dedicate himself on defense. But maybe he will given more playing time and a bigger role going forward? If he does he has top 5 upside but I'm guessing he doesn't so he settles in as a top 10 PG.

Maybe that is the difference between Ant and the others. Each off season, he has come in more skilled and it’s apparent that he spends times on weights and conditioning in the off season also.

His defense was horrendous but he was also in a system where that wasn’t a true expectation for the guards. He was one of the worst defensive players in the league last year. He has made substantial headway since then under Billups and I think he is going to continue to do so.

As someone who has watched every minute of his career, the differences between him this year and last year defensively is night and day.

With that being said, he still does have work to do.

I’ll say this. He has all of the tools to be one of the best guards in the league and I think that he will be.

[jehosafats]

Reverend Run's page?

[Marty McFly]

Brandon Roy with healthy knees.