Path Blazers’ Anfernee Simons nonetheless trying to find consistency

Portland Path Blazers guard Anfernée Simons entered Sunday’s sport towards the Los Angeles Lakers nonetheless on the lookout for consistency.

None got here in a 107-98 loss to the Lakers. Simons completed the evening with 14 factors on 5-of-13 capturing, together with 1-of-6 three-pointers. He additionally added 4 assists however with three turnovers.

It was one other evening off for the seventh-year guard, who, at age 25, has regressed as he adjusted to his position because the staff’s main guard, tasked with main the staff and being the primary scorer.

“Clearly it is a new transition for everybody,” Simons stated after Saturday’s observe. “Only a new fashion of play. Simply attempting to do no matter it takes in order that we as a staff can determine all the things out.” Although it does not essentially make it seem like I am enjoying effectively like previously, it is simply me simply attempting to be myself within the new system and what we’re attempting to do. And that may require sacrifices. This requires sacrifice for everybody on the staff.

Discovering the steadiness between scoring and making performs did not come naturally for Simons, and the 8-16 Blazers suffered consequently.

He entered Sunday capturing 40.2 p.c from the sphere and 32.9 p.c from three-point vary.

Simons not too long ago had a formidable three-game burst. He shot 58.7% from the sphere and 53.6% on three-point makes an attempt, averaging 26.0 factors and 6.7 assists.

The factors and assists had been extra according to the run he produced final season after coming back from lacking 18 video games with a thumb ligament harm. Over 10 video games, Simons averaged 28 factors and 5.4 assists, whereas capturing 45.8% from the sphere and 40.4% from three-point vary.

It appeared that this model of Simons could have returned till in two video games earlier than Sunday, Simons averaged simply 10.5 factors, capturing 30.8 p.c from the sphere and 15 .4% past the arc.

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups stated his most urgent purpose for Simons was to persistently play quicker to place stress on opposing defenses.

“It’s an adjustment for him,” Billups stated.

That is partly as a result of Simons spent his first 5 seasons watching former Blazers star Damian Lillard, an eight-time All-Star, who excelled within the half-court.

“That’s his huge brother,” Billups stated.

Simons, Billups added, must put apart a few of what he discovered from Lillard.

“He’s received to make a change and begin attempting to play slightly quicker as a result of they’re completely different gamers,” Billups stated.

Based on Billups, when Simons slows down, defenses lock in on him and take away scoring alternatives by blitzing or placing taller defenders in entrance of him.

All the pieces modifications when Simons makes use of his pace and athleticism to assault first earlier than switching to half-court mode.

“When Ant slows down, the opposite staff will get scared,” Billups stated. “They are surely. As a result of he can cease. He is fast sufficient to get out of there. However when he performs slowly, they’re blissful. In order that’s his largest adjustment. I am attempting to get him to play quite a bit quicker so he will be extra in assault mode. I believe this can free him.

Simons remained affected person. He has accepted the method, believing that all the things will finally fall into place.

“I am keen to reside with the outcomes,” he stated, “it doesn’t matter what it seems like, so long as we take steps to enhance as a staff.”