Blazers: 5 goals for Anfernee Simons to achieve in his rookie season

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Anfernee Simons #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the the Boston Celtics during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 15, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Playmaking

When Simons and Wade Baldwin IV shared the floor during Summer League, Baldwin was the primary ball handler. Even when Simons and Gary Trent Jr. were the only two guards, Trent Jr. took it up the floor more frequently.

It is therefore deducible that Terry Stotts might play his newest rookie in a McCollum-esque role: occasional ball handling, a lot of off-ball movement involving screens, and shot creation. Despite not running point guard, Simons needs to develop his playmaking if he’s handling the ball at any capacity.

McCollum, who is often criticized for his lack of playmaking abilities, averaged 3.4 assists in 36.1 minutes per game last season. During Summer League, Simons averaged 0.5 assists in 20 minutes, roughly equivalent to 1.9 assists in McCollum’s 2017-2018 play time.

Improving his playmaking at least to the level McCollum’s is at will make his drives more difficult to defend. When entering the paint, an opposing big man might hesitate on committing to Simons if the threat of a nifty pass exists, leaving the rookie open for an easy bucket. If the defender does commit, Simons can supply his teammate with two uncontested points.

As it did with McCollum, experience will help develop Simons’ court vision. In the veteran’s first two seasons, he averaged 0.7 and 1.0 assists, respectively.