It’s been six months since Anfernee Simons was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Boston Celtics for Jrue Holiday.
It’s been a big transition for Simons, who spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the Trail Blazers. He’s had to move across the country, give up his starting role, learn Joe Mazzulla’s system and adjust to new teammates.
So far, Simons has handled it incredibly well. He’s flourished in his new role off the bench for the Celtics, averaging 13.5 points in 23.8 minutes per game with some of his best shooting percentages in years.
He’s also stepped up on the defensive end and become a better rebounder, buying into Mazzulla’s philosophy of playing hard on both sides of the ball and always giving maximum effort.
After erupting for a season-high 27 points against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, the 26-year-old guard reflected on his first season in Boston so far.
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“It’s been fun. Each game is something different. Just trying to find the ways I can impact the game,” Simons told reporters after the Celtics’ 115-101 victory. “It’s been fun kind of implementing myself into this culture that’s been set and the expectations that have been set… I feel like I’ve grown so much in a lot of areas.”
Sure enough, Simons has been playing even better lately. He’s averaging 15.2 points over his last nine games, helping Boston go 8-1 in those contests.
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With Payton Pritchard starting for the first time this year, Simons has helped replace his production off the bench, giving the Celtics’ second unit a much-needed scoring threat. He’s a big reason why the team has exceeded expectations and is playing so well recently, handling everything that’s been asked of him and doing whatever he can to help the team win.
Featured image via Winslow Townson/Imagn Images
