Anfernee Simons returns to spread floor, provide leadership for Trail Blazers
Win or lose, the game opens up significantly for the Portland Trail Blazers with Anfernee Simons on the floor.
Following a return from a right thumb injury that kept him out for six weeks, Simons put up 28 points against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday and poured in 30 in Friday’s 125-112 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Simons added eight assists and five rebounds Friday, shooting 10 of 21 from the field and turning it over six times on an up-and-down night.
For a young team awash in the choppy waves of development, a reliable scorer is a life raft. Simons’ experience — beyond just his lethal shooting touch — keeps his less experienced teammates afloat, too.
Lillard taught Simons, so Simons could teach Henderson. And so it goes: the student has become the master.
Simons thrived off the ball playing alongside Lillard, finding himself in plenty of catch-and-shoot situations without the pressure of having to run the offense all the time. This is Simons’ team now, and with it comes point guard responsibilities — a positional emphasis Simons said he focused on heavily in the offseason.