Portland Trail Blazers: 5 goals for Anfernee Simons’ rookie season
By Ty Delbridge
5. Get stronger
Simons is still just a teenager and is developing his game as well as his body. He is 6’3” and 183 pounds. The rookie from IMG has the height for a combo guard, he now just needs to add the weight and strength. He may have the basketball talent to see the floor right away, but if he isn’t strong enough, guys will push him around on both ends.
In Simons’ pre-draft workout for the Blazers, he spoke to the media and seemed confident he would get stronger and be able to impact the game. “Once I get stronger, I feel like I can be one of the best defenders.”
He will now be around NBA coaches and professional trainers on a daily basis and should have no problem filling out his frame with some muscle. The Blazers went through a similar situation last year with Zach Collins, and he has made drastic improvements in only one season and summer under his belt as a Blazer.
After gaining 20 pounds since last summer, Zach Collins is no longer Big Skinny around the Blazers. He's Big Z.https://t.co/agQrVtUxox
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 5, 2018
Simons does not need to get that big. Damian Lillard is 6’3″ and 195 pounds, while CJ McCollum is 6’3″ and 190 pounds. He just needs to add enough strength so he can handle his own while he is on the floor.
Blazers general manager Neil Olshey talked about Simons the night of the draft. He mentioned that the rookie’s basketball talent is there already, he’s just waiting on the physical growth now.
"“We felt like he was the most talented guy on the board. He’s got a really bright future. He works, he can dribble, he can pass, he can shoot, he’s a high-level athlete, we know he’s going to work. His skill set translates. When the physical growth catches up to his natural, God-given ability, he’s going to be a really good player.”"