Although the 5-point victory over the Hawks in the last game ended their previous four-game losing streak, the Trail Blazers, who lacked two guns in today's home game against the Heat, still lost 109-115 and failed to usher in a wave of consecutive wins. Although the team regrettably lost, they once again gained the outbreak of young player Anfine Simmons in this game, and he started the game for 39 minutes, shooting 9 of 17, 5 of 10 three-pointers, cutting a team-high 28 points with 7 assists, plus-minus is also the best performer in the team.
In fact, in the last game against the Hawks, Simmons also had a good performance, that game he cut a career-high 43 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists, it can be said that the team can win the biggest contributor, two games down he has cut 71 points, Simmons's outbreak is naturally worth rejoicing, but from a long-term point of view, the Blazers did fall into a dilemma "sweet trouble", because Simmons broke out in these two games, just met the team's core Lillard because of an abdominal injury. Before Lillard has always controlled the absolute ball of the Blazers, Simmons in the game time is compressed, the ball is not guaranteed, there is no room to play, so this time Lillard is absent, Simmons cashed in his talent, play an excellent performance, it is also reasonable.
As the Blazers in the first round of the 24th pick in 2018, Simmons after entering the team, in fact, every season has a certain progress, but there are two guns there firmly occupy the core position of the team's backcourt, and as a result, last season also came a Powell to continue to compete for the ball, which also makes Simmons can not fully cash in his offensive talent, and this season he ushered in a significant improvement in playing time and average data per game, in large part because of the absence of two guns, That allowed him to finish with a career-high statistic of 13.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. It is no exaggeration to say that according to Simmons's ability, to go to a middle and lower team with a lack of backcourt position, it is absolutely competent to play the starting position, but the team he is in, is the main "three guards" trailblazers, Simmons stayed in Portland, it is really a bit condescending.
One thing to expect is that after Lillard's return, Simmons will have to go to the bench again, after all, the two overlap heavily in position, and in the case of Lillard's clear statement that he will continue to stay in the Blazers not long ago, Simmons is expected to be the one who was sacrificed by the team. According to the excellent performance of these games, Simmons should make his trading market greatly improved, for the Blazers who are more scarce in the internal line, if they can pack Simmons and a number of draft picks in exchange for a big man with all-star strength, it is likely to get the team out of the current situation.
At present, the Blazers are temporarily ranked 12th in the West with a record of 14 wins and 23 losses, and there is a 3.5-oddity between the ninth-place Timberwolves, and if they can't grasp the victory in the following games, this gap may be widened, and it is estimated that there will be no chance to enter the playoffs.
So this time Simmons played the price, for the Blazers to trade it out may be a win-win choice, after all, the team now has a double gun + Powell in the backcourt, Simmons such a guard with all-star potential, staying here is really a waste of his talent, and if he leaves, he can exchange more strength for the team, it is a beautiful thing.