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

Nate Mann|
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Anfernee Simons #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Anfernee Simons #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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PORTLAND, OR – June 25: General Manager Neil Olshey of the Portland Trails Blazer introduces first round draft pick Anfernee Simons #24 to the local media on June 25, 2018 at the Trail Blazer Practice Facility in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – June 25: General Manager Neil Olshey of the Portland Trails Blazer introduces first round draft pick Anfernee Simons #24 to the local media on June 25, 2018 at the Trail Blazer Practice Facility in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Take advantage of minutes

According to ESPN’s 2019 depth chart for the Portland Trail Blazers, Simons is the fourth-string shooting guard. Even in the event of a blowout or injuries, the rookie won’t get much playing time this year.

In order to show off the previous goals that he hopefully achieves, Simons must take advantage in the limited minutes.

For those of you who play NBA 2K, Simons needs to be like your MyPlayer when he first gets drafted. In the couple minutes of play time per game, he needs to constantly get open and call for the ball. Whenever he has an opportunity to shoot, drive or make some sort of play that shows up on the stat sheet, he must do so without hesitation.

Slowly, more and more minutes will trickle in if he hits catch-and-shoot threes, defends well, and displays an affinity for playmaking.

Neil Olshey said that the No. 24 pick was for finding the prospect with the highest ceiling, hinting that Simons probably won’t make an immediate impact.

But if he can establish himself as worthy of a consistent five-to-ten minutes per game, the rookie’s development will speed up exponentially. We all saw how much Zach Collins improved thanks to reliable playing time last year – same goes for an equally raw Anfernee Simons.