A conversation with Anfernee Simons
Simons' ascension after Damian Lillard's season-ending abdominal injury helped convinced Portland to move on from CJ McCollum. Now the Blazers have to re-sign the restricted free agent-to-be
Anfernee Simons admits that he's still getting used to the idea of a daily existence in Portland that does not include CJ McCollum.
He acknowledges that being asked to succeed McCollum as a cornerstone of the Trail Blazers' backcourt alongside Damian Lillard and "kind of filling his shoes" is a major undertaking.
Yet Simons does not lack for confidence. Although he's just 22, Portland's fourth-year guard has gradually moved into the Pacific Northwest spotlight, starting with a dunk-contest crown last season and a robust start to 2022 after Lillard was lost for the season to an abdominal injury.
Simons is averaging 22.0 points and 5.5 assists per game, while shooting 41.5% percent on 3-pointers, since becoming a starter in late December. When the Blazers dealt McCollum to New Orleans in February after nine years, numerous rival teams were convinced that Portland finally dissolved his partnership with Lillard to ensure the franchise will have the financial flexibility to re-sign Simons in the offseason when he becomes a restricted free agent.
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We spoke to Simons recently while he recovers from what the Blazers say is mild patellar tendinopathy in his left knee. The following transcript of the conversation has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
On the knee injury that has sidelined him since March 5:
I feel fine. I'm just trying to be cautious, trying to get back to 100 percent.
On the increased attention he has received from defenses this season:
It's been pretty interesting to have to go through this and kind of deal with what defenses throw at you. I've said before that I've seen it all — until I played the Suns. They brought out a different kind of trap that I hadn't seen before. I see it as a sign of respect.
On how he fits in the same backcourt alongside Damian Lillard:
I think we complement each other well ... we're gonna be a hard backcourt to navigate and guard because we're both threats in the pick-and-roll, making plays and scoring the ball. Teams are going to have to choose who they want to blitz.
On Lillard as a teammate:
I've been watching him my whole career, so I've picked up on things he does. He's probably one of the most humble dudes I've ever met — especially with the success that he's had. He walks around like he's a normal person. Each and every day he's always giving people confidence and encouraging people. Just to see that firsthand and see how he works and what he puts into being who he is, it's amazing to see. He's my vet. He's been helping me my whole career and I'm very grateful to have him as a teammate.
On his place in the organization heading into restricted free agency this summer. after the Blazers traded CJ McCollum to New Orleans:
They believe in me. They think I'm a great player and I can help them win. It's crazy how stuff moves pretty fast in the NBA — just being prepared when my opportunity was presented and taking full advantage of that. And I think I've been doing that. I gained the organization's trust. For them to make these moves just shows that they believe in me and want me to succeed.
On his Most Improved Player chances after starting the season with Sixth Man Award aspirations and then landing in the starting lineup:
I think I put myself in a good position to at least be nominated for it — to at least be in talks for being Most Improved. But I can't control who picks who, so I'm just going to continue to work hard on trying to get better.
On the pros and cons for today's players who accept an invite to the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend:
I think, first and foremost, it's very hard to please fans, because there's a lot of dunks that people have seen already and a lot of dunks that have been done. So you have to bring something out that's absolutely never been done before. And a lot of times, if you don't make it on the first try, just based off the crowd and stuff, it kind of gets away from you when you miss one. Especially if you miss two. So what I did, I tried to make something very simple and also very unique — something I knew I could make it on the first try. And that's what Derrick Jones Jr. told me: "Make sure you make the first one and you'll be all right. You'll win it." So that's all I did. I chose the simplest dunks and completed them on the first try and I ended up winning.
On last month's heavily criticized contest:
Obi [Toppin] had some great dunks that were never seen before. Some of those should have been 50s for sure. But I think Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon kind of set the bar and people think we should meet that bar every year. But those guys are like all-time greats. You can't expect it to be like that every year.
On the next steps he wants to take in his game:
Just want to continue to get better at playmaking — continue to see the floor better — and work on finishing around the rim and getting fouled. A lot of the great players know different ways to draw fouls.
On his 37-point game late in his rookie season:
It feels like a very long time ago. Somebody just reminded me of it the other day and I totally forgot about it. I knew at that moment that I could play in the NBA. I wasn't playing all year my rookie year and that was my first chance to have an opportunity to have success. That's kind of where it started to get to the point I am now.