Anfernee Simons didn’t exactly burst out of the gate in Philadelphia, but the 76ers are starting to see why he can be such a difference-maker. After a quiet opening stretch in his new home, Simons has settled in and is beginning to look like one of the league’s most dangerous bench scorers.
The 76ers are 6-1, and Simons has been a big part of that early run. Over the last three games, he has hovered around 20 points a night and knocked down more than 50 percent of his shots from 3-point range. That kind of efficiency changes the shape of a game, especially for a team that needs help beyond its starting five.
What stands out most is how naturally Simons fits the way Philadelphia wants to play. His shooting stretches the floor, his shot creation gives the offense another gear, and his combo-guard skill set helps cover for the lack of depth coming off the bench. He gives the 76ers a clean fit next to their star-heavy starting group, while also giving the second unit a real offensive punch.
And it’s not just the jumper. Simons has long had that burst scoring ability that can flip a game in a hurry.
When he gets rolling, he can take over a stretch almost by himself. That kind of microwave scoring is exactly why he’s already being talked about as a potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
At his best, he can look like a clone of Damian Lillard.
That matters even more for a team built around big names and high expectations. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid make for an elite starting unit on paper, but there are obvious questions attached to a 41-year-old James and an injury-prone Embiid. Depth is what keeps a contender standing once the games get tighter, and the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs only reinforced that point.
Philadelphia needed someone off the bench who could raise the floor and occasionally tilt a game. Early on, Simons looks like that player.
It’s a sharp turn from the slow start, and it also lines up with what Simons has wanted for a while. Dating back to his time with the Blazers, he made it clear he wanted a chance to win.
Last season took him from the Celtics to the Bulls, but free agency finally gave him control over where he landed. He chose Philadelphia, signing a 2-year, $12.2 million deal because it offered both the right role and a real shot at winning.
That deal already looked friendly for the team at the time. With James now also in the mix, it looks even better.
The formula around James has always been clear: surround him with useful, affordable role players, especially shooters. Simons is checking that box and then some, because he’s also giving the 76ers extra playmaking from the bench.
He wanted the chance to win in Philadelphia. Right now, he’s helping create it.
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Scoot Henderson Trade Talk Just Got Real For The Blazers
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For the Trail Blazers, the name to watch is Scoot Henderson. Portland could emerge as a potential trade partner if Charlotte decides to move Reid, with the idea of Henderson heading the other way in a deal that would address needs for both sides. Nothing is imminent, but the possibility alone is enough to make this one worth tracking as the deadline picture starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Defense Faces Its Toughest Early Test In Denver
The Trail Blazers head into Denver for the first of four meetings in the season series, and the matchup arrives with one of the leagues more interesting early contrasts. Portland has leaned on a defense that has been especially sharp at limiting second-chance opportunities, while the Nuggets have built a reputation for punishing teams when possessions extend and the ball stays alive around the rim.
Cleaning The Glass numbers point to a clash of strengths that could shape the tone of the series right away, with Portland trying to keep Denver from turning missed shots into easy extra points. The historical backdrop only adds to the intrigue, since these teams know each other well and both enter this stretch with current-season form that makes every possession feel a little more important than usual. [Read more 🡒]