Anfernee, if I want to!!!

[lbgreen33]

I watched the Press conference tonight. Tell me, did I hear this right, Simons was asked about his defense and he said they did talk about it. Then he said it's all about wanting to play defense. If that is what is needed then I will,  it's all about wanting to. Maybe in Portland the emphasis was on his scoring and if he wants to play defense in Boston he can.  I mean many of us have played basketball, scoring is fun and where you can really prove yourself on the court. But, defense is a desire, you have to want to shut down the team you are playing!
I am not saying all is well, I am saying maybe with some new found desire and helpful coaching AS can turn the corner into a decent 2 way Player. Who knows? Time will tell.

[Neurotic Guy]

So he hasn?t wanted to play D in the past. But he?ll go along with it now. These are not inspirational words. .

[Roy H.]

I agree with NG.  He hasn't wanted to play defense for seven seasons?  Sounds like a him problem.

[lbgreen33]

So he hasn?t wanted to play D in the past. But he?ll go along with it now. These are not inspirational words. .
[/quote
LOL, not saying I disagree at all!! But, I was waiting for a question about his defense! He said it all about wanting to.  I just hope he wants to with the Celtics!!!😂

[lbgreen33]

LOL, not saying I disagree at all!! But, I was waiting for a question about his defense! He said it all about wanting to.  I just hope he wants to with the Celtics!!!😂

[Vermont Green]

Very mixed messsge. He was kind of saying he could play better defense if he wanted to but then not really saying he wanted to.

My overall read was that he was not happy to be in Boston. 

[gift]

My take is that there will be a honeymoon period with Simons. Let him showcase, let him play some defense, then let him bring in a player via trade who doesn't need to summon such desire from hidden depths in order to play adequate defense.

[slamtheking]

Very mixed messsge. He was kind of saying he could play better defense if he wanted to but then not really saying he wanted to.

My overall read was that he was not happy to be in Boston.

could be the case.

team didn't have a presser introducing him when they acquired him unlike other players.  he's coming to a team that he knows wants to trade him rather than use him as a building block.  He's coming to a team that's currently on a downswing in the league and will likely be moved before it starts back on the upswing.

add in that he'd be actually expected to play defense for the first time I'm sure Boston is not where he wants to be.

[celticinorlando]

Heard that and immediately did not like it.

[Vermont Green]

Very mixed messsge. He was kind of saying he could play better defense if he wanted to but then not really saying he wanted to.

My overall read was that he was not happy to be in Boston.

could be the case.

team didn't have a presser introducing him when they acquired him unlike other players.  he's coming to a team that he knows wants to trade him rather than use him as a building block.  He's coming to a team that's currently on a downswing in the league and will likely be moved before it starts back on the upswing.

add in that he'd be actually expected to play defense for the first time I'm sure Boston is not where he wants to be.

All true but I think he is misreading this.  He is in his last contract year and will be largely setting his value based on how he plays in BOS.  He has a chance to start, and play a key role in a place that has far more visibility than POR.  This is a good opportunity for him to increase his value if he plays well and shows he can play the right way.  This is a win-win opportunity.

It may be that he is miffed that he got traded in the first place, and miffed about all the trade again talk since he got to BOS.  But grow up.  It is the NBA.  You make ridiculous money but sometimes you get traded.  And yes, they expect you to play defense.  It would be much more in his own best interest to make the best of it, say the right things, play the right way, than to pout about it.

[slamtheking]

Very mixed messsge. He was kind of saying he could play better defense if he wanted to but then not really saying he wanted to.

My overall read was that he was not happy to be in Boston.

could be the case.

team didn't have a presser introducing him when they acquired him unlike other players.  he's coming to a team that he knows wants to trade him rather than use him as a building block.  He's coming to a team that's currently on a downswing in the league and will likely be moved before it starts back on the upswing.

add in that he'd be actually expected to play defense for the first time I'm sure Boston is not where he wants to be.

All true but I think he is misreading this.  He is in his last contract year and will be largely setting his value based on how he plays in BOS.  He has a chance to start, and play a key role in a place that has far more visibility than POR.  This is a good opportunity for him to increase his value if he plays well and shows he can play the right way.  This is a win-win opportunity.

It may be that he is miffed that he got traded in the first place, and miffed about all the trade again talk since he got to BOS.  But grow up.  It is the NBA.  You make ridiculous money but sometimes you get traded.  And yes, they expect you to play defense.  It would be much more in his own best interest to make the best of it, say the right things, play the right way, than to pout about it.

I don't disagree at all.  That should be his attitude and maybe what he said is being misinterpreted as lack of enthusiasm for being in Boston.

[Phantom255x]

"Have you thought about putting more effort into some defense"

Anfernee:

[slamtheking]

"Have you thought about putting more effort into some defense"

Anfernee:

[jambr380]

I heard this as Joe was talking to him and telling if he can play good defense if he really wants to. Not Anfernee saying maybe I'll play defense if I really want to.

Meaning, Anfernee might have thought he was trying, but Joe is telling him there is [obviously] another level he can get to and he will need to focus on that moving forward if he wants to elevate his game. If there's one thing about Joe, it's that he motivates his players and they really seem to appreciate that about him. Perhaps Joe and the coaching staff can get him motivated on that side of the ball, as well as get him to learn more nuanced techniques in order to be effective.