Anfernee Simons needs to attack the rim more to be a star
It was extremely surprising for some fans when Simons was named a participant for the 2021 Dunk Contest and even more shocking when he took home the trophy.
The reason it was so unexpected is because the guard so rarely shows off his hops in game. For the 2020-2021 season, Simons took less than 30 percent of his shots from inside the arc. That’s a ridiculously low number.
For comparison, sharpshooter Seth Curry took nearly half of his attempts from 2-point range. In fact, Simons only averaged 2.3 drives per game. For a player as athletic as he is, that statistic is simply unacceptable.
When defenders know that a player isn’t going to attack the rim, it makes their job simpler. There’s no need to double-team or worry about fouling. With Simons, all defenders really have to stress about is him launching from deep.
Not attacking the rim means that he’s not collapsing the paint, which means the defense isn’t opening up lanes, which means his teammates aren’t going to get open. For all we know, Simons could be a great passer but his refusal to drive limits his opportunities for assists.
Star players know that attacking the rim opens up their games tremendously. Not only does it create more opportunities for teammates, it’s also the easiest way to get two points, can get the shooter in rhythm, and can draw fouls for free-throws.
Simons is certainly capable of attacking the rim, as he does in the above clip. Watch the advanced handle and body control he displays as he finishes through the defender for a tough bucket.
Ant has all the tools to be a slashing threat; it’s more so his lack of aggressiveness that’s holding him back on offense. In the same game, he made three other 2-point field goals and finished with 26 points. It’s not a coincidence that one of his best games of the season saw him attacking the cup with regularity.
For the year, he finished with a 45 percent shooting percentage on shots within five-feet of the rim. While that’s not an elite percentage, it certainly suggests that he should be taking more than two drives a night. If he can pressure the paint more consistently, the rest of his game will follow suit.
Here’s hoping that we see a new and improved version of Anfernee Simons next season.