(This is Part Three of the Small Market Series, where I dive into the NBA’s ten small market teams and give recognition to their star players. Parts One and Two can be found here. Today, we dive into the Portland Trail Blazers and Anfernee Simons).
When you think of the Portland Trail Blazers, you typically think of Damian Lillard or CJ McCollum. I cannot blame you, as those two were the franchise’s cornerstones for quite some time.
However, this season was full of change for the Trail Blazers. Lillard battled injuries all year and was ruled out for the season recovering from abdominal surgery. McCollum was shipped out to New Orleans, signaling a rebuild is in the works.
On December 31st, the Trail Blazers were 13-22. After that, the team proceeded to win only 14 more games on their way to a 27-55 record to close the campaign. But, even with all the dramatic change and losing streaks, there was one bright spot. Anfernee Simons, it’s time for your recognition.
Where Did He Come From?
Only 22 years old, the former IMG Academy product took a route to the NBA that was different from the norm. Instead of attending college, he declared for the league right after high school.
Anfernee Simons is going from IMG Academy straight to the NBA DRAFT ? @AnferneeSimons pic.twitter.com/UfWSyyE4qr
— Overtime (@overtime) March 22, 2018
In the 2018 NBA Draft, he was selected 24th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. This was good for Simons, as getting a chance to learn behind Damian Lillard would be helpful.
His rookie season was off to a rough start, as the team sent him down to the G-League for more playing time. He was recalled a few times throughout the year but only played during garbage time or cleanup duty.
But, things changed when the Blazers rested Lillard and McCollum for game 82. Simons played the full 48 minutes, scoring 37 points and dishing nine assists on the way to a 136-131 win.
The following two seasons were more of the same for Simons, only averaging about eight points a game throughout the next two years.
Then, Things Took Off
The 2021-2022 season was when things changed. Simons mostly came off the bench and started only three games until Lillard’s injury to start the year. Penciled in as the starting point guard until further notice, he had 43 points in 38 minutes in the team’s first win of 2022 against Atlanta.
Anfernee Simons lost his grandfather to cancer the night before the game.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 4, 2022
He finished with 43 points and 7 assists in the win against the Hawks. Speechless ? pic.twitter.com/12o9TxVSOP
After that, he played at least 30 minutes in all but four games the rest of the year. This was beneficial, as Simons proceeded to show the team and the league that he belonged. He was getting buckets for a team lacking a leading scorer on a nightly basis.
An MRI found Simons had patellar tendinopathy in his left knee, ending things early for him. His last game was on March 5th, 2022, scoring 38 points in the team’s loss to the Timberwolves.
In the end, Simons finished the year with career-high numbers mostly across the board. After all, jumping from 3.8 PPG to 17.3 PPG is a drastic change. Heading into next season, head coach Chauncey Billups knows he can depend on his young point guard to be a shot creator.
So, Now What For The Portland Trail Blazers?
Next season is filled with uncertainty, as Simons is set to be a restricted free agent this upcoming offseason. Teams could take a chance to nab the 22-year-old guard, but the Blazers will have the ability to match any offer made.
Returning to Portland would only be helpful, as the team needs guys who can play alongside Lillard. Simons plus whoever the team chooses with the seventh overall pick will be key pieces to build around to bring the team back to the playoffs. The Portland Trail Blazers have a bright future, and Simons looks to be a part of it for years to come.
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