In simply two video games with the Celtics, Anfernee Simons has already showcased the scoring prowess that has lots of his new teammates calling him merely “a bucket.”
Whereas which may be true, these two video games revealed barely completely different variations of Simons as a scorer, and personally, I hope the Celtics proceed to lean into the way in which he was utilized towards Cleveland, slightly than the method taken within the Toronto recreation.
In Toronto, Simons put collectively a strong outing with 16 factors on 6-of-13 capturing, together with 2-of-7 from three. Nonetheless, he struggled as the first ball-handler below constant defensive stress. His three turnovers had been straight brought on by tight on-ball protection, and there have been two extra performs the place he misplaced management attributable to that very same stress. Whereas I’ll give grace to first-game jitters, what unfolded within the Cleveland recreation supplied a promising counter, one which each eases the stress on him and accelerates his adjustment to the Celtics’ system.
In Toronto, Simons had a 27% utilization fee. Though utilization fee doesn’t all the time equate to those issues, this outing noticed him dribbling the ball up the courtroom extra towards stress and standing at or close to the emblem ready for issues to occur. This led to turnovers, but additionally many late clock conditions whereas he was on the market basically slowing the tempo down (Simons had a 94.7 tempo ranking this recreation).
Whereas Simons clearly has the expertise to attain in stagnant possessions with minimal motion, his efficiency final night time recommended that his effectivity might be enhanced. He scored 21 factors with a decrease utilization fee (21%) on 6/12 from the sector with all of his makes coming from three (6/9). He had one turnover opposed to 3, and his tempo ranking jumped 13.1 to 107.8.
This isn’t a cry to take the ball fully out of Simons’ palms (as a result of that might be silly), however simply an angel on the shoulder breaking down the actions and performs the place he was in a position to get catch-and-shoot alternatives and or take much less time/dribbles to attain.
Even in his first recreation, there have been a couple of encouraging performs that hinted at how efficient Simons could possibly be in additional of an off-ball position.
The primary play of his Celtics profession (video rationalization beneath) was “Ram Miami.” To start the play, you see Josh Minott set an off ball for Neemias Queta to set a ball display screen for Payton Pritchard. That half is the “Ram” motion. Ram = an off ball display screen for somebody to go set a ball display screen. Pritchard makes use of the ball display screen from Queta to provoke a DHO with Simons. Miami = dribble hand off adopted by a ball display screen. Although he doesn’t make it, he will get an open look.
Subsequent play sees Simons contact the ball fairly a couple of instances, however he solely takes two dribbles. Chris Boucher receives a sequence of staggered screens and makes use of them to chop to the paint. Celtics had been in a position to get good motion between Simons and Xavier Tillman by way of handoffs, which I famous had been a big a part of their offense vs. Memphis. On the final handoff, Simons is ready to take one dribble and get proper to the cup.
Right here is only a good play by Queta releasing Simons up with a easy “Flare” display screen.
Simons acquired extra appears to be like off the catch. 4 of his six made threes had been of that selection.
The primary play encapsulates what I hope Jaylen Brown can do persistently this 12 months. A easy drive from him will draw the protection’s consideration as a rule. Simons is ready to play off him and hit a catch-and-shoot three. He shot 38% from behind the arc in these conditions final season.
Subsequent play is sweet work once more by Queta. He catches the defender solely wanting on the ball and units one other good display screen for Simons to spring free. He shot 42% on open threes final season.
Right here, he’s in a position to get one by doing one thing the Celtics have all the time seen as a profitable play: nook crash.
Jaylen Brown pushes the tempo as soon as once more, and his drive forces three Cavaliers to the paint. This leaves Simons and Sam Hauser large open, and Simons hits one other one.
Lastly, Minott does a superb job discovering Simons trailing the play. Nobody will get up on Simons, and he has the vary to knock this down.
At Media Day, Simons was requested in regards to the potential shot high quality change he would see enjoying with the Celtics. He responded, “once I came upon I used to be coming right here, I used to be like I can lastly get some large open pictures on a constant foundation.” And whereas his robust shot making will all the time be useful, I imagine an emphasis on getting him one of the best appears to be like majority of the time will maximize him. The three-6 or 7+ dribble three level makes an attempt he’s able to hitting needs to be the cherry on high, not the principle course.
