Defense
As the primary offensive provider at IMG Academy, Anfernee Simons sometimes sacrificed defensive effort for more energy on offense. With better players surrounding him at Summer League, Simons showed off defensive intellect and promise.
With the defense scrambling, Simons does well to find the open man and stop a three-point attempt. After correctly overplaying the three (because San Antonio couldn't miss), he recovers to contest the jumper too pic.twitter.com/InUPdLNuud
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 10, 2018
In the 2 minutes and 30 seconds prior to this play, the San Antonio Spurs had knocked down four three-pointers to slim the deficit significantly. Aware of their hot shooting, Simons closes down well on Olivier Hanlan to stop another three-point attempt.
But he didn’t stop playing defense after forcing Hanlen off the perimeter. Simons recovered to put a hand up on the fading midrange attempt, which rimmed out. Swanigan grabbed the rebound to ice the game and keep Portland’s unbeaten streak alive.
Simons also displayed quick hands, leading to him averaging 1 steal per game.
However, he occasionally lost interest on defense and allowed an easy basket for the opponent. In this video, Simons is caught ball-watching as his assignment, Lonnie Walker IV, who soars in from the perimeter to throw down a strong put back dunk.
Simons loses track of Lonnie Walker while the ball is being shot. Walker sneaks in behind and throws down a STRONG putback dunk pic.twitter.com/a06UzFs6Ln
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 10, 2018
Simons still engaged on the defensive glass, although this video may suggest otherwise.
Because he wasn’t running point guard, he stuck around after the shot to grab the board and quickly run in transition. A few times, Simons took the ball coast-to-coast and scored without the help of any teammate.
For a Blazers team which ranked last in transition points per game in 2017-2018, having capable ball handlers grab rebounds and run the floor will be beneficial.
Simons doesn't need any help - strong rebound and a calm/collected jumper to finish the play by himself pic.twitter.com/pWzgSTmeA1
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 18, 2018
Next: Gary Trent Jr. shows off all-around play in Summer League
Overall, Anfernee Simons showed off everything the Blazers drafted him for: three-point shooting, ball handling and shot creation. His Summer League performance also displayed defensive promise and impressive athleticism, much to the chagrin of fans.
Most important of all, the rookie out of IMG Academy looked comfortable amongst the competition. Transitioning from facing high school players to NBA caliber players might take the average player time, but not Simons.