The missed quarter that made Anfernee Simons break down

Anfernee Simons has a “funny” way of analyzing his career. Rather than thinking about his successes, his offensive exploits in particular, the Blazers guard focuses on the opposite. “ I usually think about all the times I failed “, he confides to The Athleticwhich devotes an article to him on his rise in Portland.

This reflex comes from a former teammate, CJ McCollum. “ I always remember how CJ talked about his journey and the struggles he faced. My path may not be the same as his, but he always told me that you have to be ready to face it when the time comes. And he always reminded me that it’s crazy how things can change », Reports the 24-year-old.

Anfernee Simons, who now says he is aiming for an All-Star Game selection, is very well placed to talk about it. With the departure of Damian Lillard a few weeks ago, he finds himself propelled into the number 1 option of a team in which he took time to assert himself, playing in the shadow of the Lillard – McCollum tandem.

“DNPs” then a missed exit

He started to see some light in his second and third seasons in the league. After an anecdotal rookie year, the 24th choice of the 2018 Draft had found his place in Terry Stotts’ rotation. He had difficulty confirming during the following exercise.

However, an opportunity presented itself to him in 2021 with the absence due to injury, for around twenty matches, of CJ McCollum. His playing time increasing, he was able to increase his average to around ten units coming off the bench over this period. But when the holder returned, he chained three “DNP” (Did Not Play) in a row.

On March 21, 2021, during a hell of an evening against Luka Doncic’s Mavs (40-point home defeat), the 21-year-old was sent to the coals only to play the last quarter of a match without issue. Of these 12 minutes, he only shot 4 points at 1/5 on shots. “ I played very badly, really badly », he still remembers.

A “breaking point”

As he drives home, Anfernee Simons lets out his frustration. His previous 25 good games swept away by this one bad quarter?

“ It seemed unfair to me. I was very emotional about it. Because it was about my career and I felt it was on the line at that moment. » « He couldn’t speak, he was crying. He felt helpless », Confirms his personal trainer Phil Beckner, who spoke to him on the phone that evening.

This journey between the Moda Center and his home was, according to his coach, a “ real breaking point “. “ I was angry the whole ride home. I said to myself, ‘I gave them a reason not to play me.’ This is one of the times I’ve been tested the most », confirms the full-back, who will experience a new “DNP” the following match.

“ I couldn’t blame Terry (Stotts) because when he was here, we had sincere discussions. So I was angry but I couldn’t be that angry because I understood. Those around me helped me overcome this ordeal, telling me to continue working », continues Ant who will get back on track in the following weeks.

And especially the following year when he will settle into the five of his team, while CJ McCollum will be sent to the Pelicans. “ So I’m happy to have gone through this. I learned a lot. I learned how to behave, even when things seem unfair. It’s up to you to do with the cards you’ve been dealt », he concludes.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.