Until this Monday, his season opener Anferne Simons Happened more for flash than sustained level. Spectacular works of a combo guard with combination of athletic explosion and impressive shooting but, at least in these first games, with very low success rates (33.9%).
However, the sparks of that player who 2021-2022 finished in style they were there. And to 135-110 win over the Denver Nuggets They reached their brightest point.
Simons ended up with 29 points and a 7-12 3-pointerbut the story of his great night specifically passed from a third quarter worthy of a Klay Thompson or Stephen Curry: Note 22 points on 8-9 from the field in an area of just 5:38 minutesin which he entered a state of total unconsciousness.
Simons’ subject was a dot avalanche that buried any options left for a Denver with too many defensive resources.
Anfernie Simons Can In Q3: 22 PTS, 6 3 PT 🔥
He has 29 PTS and counting
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/JRYu6KtArH
– Tell Me (@DimeUPROXX) October 25, 2022
victory is gone Portland 4-0 and ideal senses in this beginning. In addition to Simons, Damian Lillard shined again with 31 points, 8 assists and 10-16 shooting.while there was another promising performance from the rookie Shaedon Sharpe: 11 points in 16 minutes on 4-6 from the field.
With Lillard at his best, Simons dressed as CJ McCollum, Sharpe transforming into a second-unit shooter a la Allen Crabbe, Josh Hart and Jeremy Grant doing the dirty work as Moe Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu, and Jusuf Nurkic provide defense, definition and pass like Mason Plumlee, this portland looks like a replica of the blazers that reached the west semifinals in 2015-2016.
A team loaded with firepowerbut also with some good values and intensity in defense. 4-0 may be an exaggeration, but it is not misleading: it reflects what the team is Chauncey Billups in this first week, even against quality opponents like Denver and Phoenix (plus a good win at Crypto Arena against the Lakers).
The challenge? Staying healthyconsidering an undoubtedly limited depth.
