Anfernee Simons had his best game of the season for the Celtics on Thursday night in a 119-114 win over the Heat, writes Jay King for The Athletic. Simons scored 18 points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 39 points while hitting seven threes, all while coming off the bench.
“I think he definitely was in that mode tonight where, let’s get him the ball and get out of the way and let him be special,” teammate Sam Hauser said.
Jaylen Brown, who ceded the role of closer to Simons for the night, had similarly high praise.
“That boy can play,” Brown said. “He’s probably more talented than the role that he’s placed in. I think that’s kind of obvious, but I have hella respect for him to come out and play winning basketball and do what the team needs (him) to do on a night-in and night-out basis. He doesn’t complain. He just brings good energy and just contributes in a positive way.”
After he spent several seasons with a sub-.500 Blazers team, it was unclear whether Simons played a winning brand of basketball, King writes. According to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal, there’s a feeling that, to an extent, those questions have been answered and that Simons has boosted his trade stock this season.
The Celtics have been rumored to be in the market for a big man, but Simons’ play could make the team more reluctant than expected to move him, unless a deal brings back a longer-term impact player.
We have more notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- RJ Barrett is missing a fifth straight game on Sunday due to a left ankle sprain, but the Raptors forward seems to be moving in the right direction. Michael Grange of Sportsnet reports (via Twitter) that Barrett has begun doing on-court work, adding that the 25-year-old wing was practicing with intensity and doesn’t appear to be favoring the ankle. Grange expects Barrett to return sometime during the Raptors’ five-game road trip, which runs through next Sunday (Twitter link).
- The Knicks‘ recent struggles can be traced to many different sources, but one key factor has been the play of Mikal Bridges in the fourth quarter, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. According to Bondy, Bridges is averaging just 3.5 points on 42.4% shooting in fourth quarters despite playing the most minutes of any Knick, compared to 55.2% shooting during first halves. Bridges has also struggled to play with physicality — Bondy notes that there are 80 players in the league who play fewer minutes and average more free throws than the 6’6″ wing. The biggest issue, though, is how he’s struggled to step up when Jalen Brunson is unavailable to play. After being brought in to be a tertiary offensive creator, Bridges has averaged just 17.8 points in the five games without Brunson, in which time the Knicks hold a record of 1-4. There were similar concerns about Bridges’ play last season, Bondy notes, and he stepped up when needed in the playoffs.
- Jared McCain was assigned to the Sixers‘ G League affiliate on Saturday after struggling to retain a role in the rotation in his second season, writes Kyle Neubeck of PHLY. McCain hasn’t been able to find his offensive consistency, shooting just 35.4% from the field and 32.3% from three, both dramatic declines from his shortened rookie season, when he shot 46.0% overall and 38.3% from deep. As Neubeck relays, head coach Nick Nurse has maintained that the most important thing for the second-year player is getting minutes and getting comfortable. McCain’s struggles seemed to continue in the G League, however. Playing for the Delaware Blue Coats on Sunday, McCain scored 15 points on 5-of-18 shooting while hitting just 2-of-9 threes and committing six turnovers (to zero assists), per Adam Aaronson of the Philly Voice (Twitter link).
McCain has had a bad season but it’s not that unexpected after having a big injury and then struggling for minutes and consistency behind Maxey VJ and Grimes.
Next season Grimes will leave and McCain will have a fresh start as the sixth man. I think Lowry and Eric Gordon will both also be gone so they’ll need to invest in other guards but they shouldn’t look to replace McCain. If anything bring in a versatile vet to pair with him and help him.
Even if McCain is still missing a lot and turning the ball over, it’s good for him to score 15, to see the ball go through the net, to have minutes and shots while in the g league. Scoring, is important for the style of play on the court. Nevertheless, it has to be important to consider the development of the other g league players in the g league team, so he doesn’t obstaculize their growth shooting that many more shots and having more opportunities than deserved
No it’s not he built bad habits last year. He can’t impact winning basketball yet. That’s the difference. The game should be easier with better players around you yet he is playing worse. Last year he looked good losing games. Because every NBA player has some skill and can score. When you’re playing losing basketball you can miss 4/5 shoots and not get yanked. I never thought he was all that. I see a bench player like 7th man. Could develop into a 6th man but he is not a starting guard. Hopefully he develops Those habits and can become and bench score on a playoff team
An extremely tough beginning to McCain’s career for sure. But he remains a uber talented player. He really just needs consistent time to get himself back into a rhythm. Which would currently be difficult to come by given the depth chart of the Sixers. No need to rush the guy, literally 21 years old.
Did I say Simons is a good fit with White in Boston. He’s a shooter. And he will get looks on Boston….. playing
Bridges has to score 22pts or more a gm. Knicks need him to be more assertive. He tries too hard to be a good teammate. His best scoring yrs in NBA he avg 19 and 16 shots a game. On Knicks he’s avg 14 and 13 shots. Even OG is more aggressive than he is. We are still waiting on you Mikal 🤔
Best for McCain to play and get mins. Thats what the G-league is for. Learn and grow player.
Not to be a nerd but it was 20 on 15 shots a game, but he has already peaked
You said it the best. On a losing team as well. He is just not a starter. It’s funny how winning basketball exposes players.
I know you are not talking about Bridges. He basically started since his Rookie year. And went to NBA Finals. Suns were better than Knicks. So put your draws back on …..
After trade ———-
2022-23 Nets — 8.9/18.6 FG for 26.1 pts
2023-24 Nets — 6.9/15.8 FG for 19.6 pts
Not nerd enough ——- Real numbers.
We need on Knicks 22 pts a gm minimum. Probably take 16 shots minimum …..
Exactly right. When Simons goes on a heater he’s deadly. One could argue he’s a bit inconsistent, but when he is on? My oh my.
Classic Jaylen Brown quote – Making sure everybody knows he’s still the star player and that Simons is just a role player who had a hot hand. What a shameful teammate.. I hate the Celtics culture, but at least they used to choose their highest paid players by a higher standard of character.
I guess the Kyrie Irving experiment really fkd them up..?
Man – I created an account just to reply and tell you how horrible this take is. Brown has invested over a million dollars into Boston’s “Black Wall Street”, which he helped create. The guy has done nothing wrong in his 10 years in Boston. He’s a good dude. Go ahead and hate the Celtics all you want, but do some homework on JB.
They went to two championships and won one. IF Tatum was healthy they would be #1 in the East AGAIN.
I guess Kyrie really effed them up…
People hate Celtics Culture, bc it’s a winning culture that promotes anyone who plays hard and plays team basketball. Over the course of NBA history and US history, the Celtics have done the “right” thing repeatedly, with no fear of backlash.
Jaylen Brown is an excellent citizen and person.
BTW, At one point, the Celtics employed Antoine Walker and paid him top $$$$. Not the stellar high standard I think you were referencing.
Hate of Jaylen and the Celtics all you want, but most of your post is just not accurate.