Now a month into the NBA regular season, the Trail Blazers unexpectedly slow start has left them with work to do. Despite a 4-8 start, putting the Blazers near the bottom of a stacked Western Conference, there has undoubtedly been a bright spot: 20-year-old guard Anfernee Simons.
Averaging 11.8 points and 1.8 rebounds through 12 games, Simons’ earlier-than-expected offense has provided the Blazers with a beacon of hope. On Friday, he received national attention from ESPN’s Zach Lowe, who listed him as one of the 10 things that he likes in the NBA this week.