“I want to contribute to winning at the highest level. And so whatever, how that looks, I’m fine with.”
After seven seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, guard Anfernee Simons is set for his debut with the Boston Celtics.
While Boston fans will miss Jrue Holiday, who was involved in the trade for Simons as well as helping the Celtics win a championship in 2024, Simons is ready for the opportunity.
“I was super excited,” Simons said at Celtics Media Day on Monday when asked about finding out about the trade. “This was an opportunity that I’d been waiting for. And obviously be a part of this organization that’s historic, and everybody talks about it, but actually being in it is different.”
One big part of Holiday’s skillset that Simons has lacked is on the defensive end. Holiday was usually matched up against the opponent’s best scorer, and would take the challenge head-on.
Now with Simons, who ranked 11th worst in the league defensively last season, the Celtics will either need him to step up or find someone else who will be an elite defender.
“It’s just a matter of if I want to do it or not,” Simons said regarding his defense. “Coming into a culture like this, you have to be able to adapt or you’re not going to be in the position that you want to be in. Whether it’s playing or not playing.”
Simons admits that his defense primarily comes down to effort, as he has the athleticism to be solid on that end.
This question of his willingness to defend will be watched closely as the season starts, as Joe Mazzulla agrees with Simons opinion on his defense.
“[Mazzulla] always says ‘you’re not as bad as people think you are’,” Simons remembers his new coach telling him. “That’s good to hear, but also I have to do the work to get better on that end.”
Going from being the primary scorer on the Blazers to likely being a second option to Jaylen Brown, defense could be key in having him secure a starting spot.
The dynamic scorer averaged 19.3 points per game on 42.6% shooting last season. However, coming into a team with more talent than the Blazers had, Simons knows he will take more of a backseat role on offense. And he’s ok with that.
“We want to win, and I want to win,” Simons continued. “I want to contribute to winning at the highest level. And so whatever, how that looks, I’m fine with.”