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What has Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons shown in Summer League?

By Aneesh Namburi

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Anfernee Simons #24 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion 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)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Anfernee Simons #24 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion 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) /
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What has Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons shown in Summer League?

Heading into the offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers had a lot to be excited about. They made it to the 2019 Western Conference Finals, featured a solid Big 3 to build around, and now had an opportunity to break through to the Finals with the Golden State Warriors on the verge of collapse.

While these three things were mentioned, the piece that the Blazers organization was arguably most excited about was the continued development of guard Anfernee Simons. After a rookie season where the 2018 draft’s 24th pick did not spend much time on the court, the writing was on the wall for Simons to be featured more within the team’s offense.

With Seth Curry‘s deal expiring at the end of this past season, many assumed that Simons would take over the backup shooting guard role.

During various press conferences, GM Neil Olshey raved about Simons’ talent and expectations for his role next season. He said Simons had the most God given talent out of anyone he has ever had on a team, among other things.

After the moves Portland made in the first week of July, Simons seems to be penciled in as the team’s backup point guard. Naturally a score first guard, the Blazers likely believe that he has made enough strides as a playmaker to fill this role.

Summer League has been fans’ first opportunity to see Simons in his potential role next year. So far, does it look like he can live up to expectations? Sort of.

Simons has excelled tremendously scoring the ball. With an excellent handle, good burst, and pro level moves, he has the ability to score with just about anyone in the NBA. Just look at how effortlessly he makes these extremely difficult shots seem.

https://twitter.com/SLAMonline/status/1148987669634015233

Talking to Danny Marang of NBC Sports Northwest yesterday, he pointed out how impressive it was that Simons is doing all of this without being physically dominant. His ability to change speed and direction while dissecting defenses at such a young age is impressive.

It’s nice for him to showcase his scoring ability, but the real question comes down to whether he has the decision making of an NBA point guard.

Right now that is not the case. In his three Summer League games, Simons has averaged only 1.7 assists, an extremely low mark for a lead ball handler. While he has shown flashes of vision and potential to read the floor, that is overshadowed by his propensity to call his own number. Point guards in this league need to be able to understand when to score and when to distribute, and as of now, Simons still has a ways to go.

This by no means is saying that Simons will never be a productive NBA point guard. At only 20 years old, he still has time to improve. However, with the Blazers still having two roster spots open, it might be wise for Olshey to sign a veteran point guard who can not only take decision making pressure off of Simons, but also to teach him how to study the floor.

Next. Where does Portland's backcourt rank in terms of top NBA duos?. dark

Our own Austin Carroll suggested signing Shaun Livingston, and I threw out Trey Burke and Jeremy Lin as potential candidates. Regardless of whether Portland ends up bringing in someone, it should not take away from how impressive Simons has been this summer, and that fans should be excited for what he can bring in the future.