It's gold that always shines, and Simmons has improved his stats and efficiency by a lot in his starting lineup this season. Simmons averaged 20.9 points per game in his starting game this season, shooting 48.4 percent from the field, 40.6 percent from three-point range and 95.5 percent from the free throw line. It's already the level of the quasi-180 club. Today Simmons and the Blazers traveled to Washington to challenge the Wizards, and Simmons scored a total of 33 points and 11 assists in this game, and the team won smoothly on the road.
It turns out that a talented player like Simmons can never play on the bench, and it is a kind of burial to let him play as a substitute. Only by getting unlimited firing rights at the starter can Simmons unleash his talents. Simmons spent most of his time on the bench after entering the NBA for the simple reason that the Blazers had two outside stars, one was Lillard and the other was McClem. As a young player, Simmons naturally has no way to compete with these two big men for a chance to play. He can only wait on the bench for his own opportunity. In his first season, Simmons averaged less than 10 minutes, and in his second and third seasons, Simmons averaged less than 20 minutes. This season, his average playing time has reached 26 minutes this season due to the Blazers' double-gun injury Simmons getting a chance. Recently, the Blazers have given Simmons more and more time and opportunities. The Trail Blazers finally began to seriously cultivate Simmons.
Simmons also lived up to the trust of the team, playing simmons can get more opportunities when playing the start, and many of the Blazers' tactics and offense are around him. Simmons is a defender who can run without the ball, shoot without the ball, and have a certain ability to attack with the ball. Simmons has a lot of means when blocking and dismantling, and after the ball power increases, Simmons can also take care of the organization and send cannonballs for his teammates. The 11 assists in this game is the best proof.
Simmons' talent is not only reflected in his offensive skills and athleticism, but also in his ability to learn. This talent is overlooked by many people. Simmons spent most of the first three years of his career on the bench, and after playing the start this season, he can make rapid progress and improve data, which cannot be done without super learning ability.
Heading into 2022, Simmons scored less than 20 points in only one game, including 43 and 31. This year, the NBA's confrontation has increased in intensity, and it is not friendly to guard players. Many of the league's defenders are in decline in efficiency, Lillard is the best example, Simmons after starting this season, the efficiency of the ball has not dropped significantly, which shows how talented he is.
Simmons' example could also give some reminders to the rest of the league. You can't skimp on playing time and opportunities when developing young players, and if you put them on the bench and grow up slowly, it's all stocking. Not only can it not get a good training effect, but it may also bury talents. Simmons didn't reach the 26-minute mark until his fourth season, and many of the NBA rookies played no less than 30 minutes.
In the future, the Blazers can use Simmons as an important training object. Whether the Trail Blazers stay on the team or are traded in the future, Simmons will be an indispensable member of the team. Dear readers, how talented do you think Simmons is, and can he become a star in the future?