Celtics learning why Blazers felt fine letting Anfernee Simons go
Posted October 15, 2025
Anfernee Simons has consistently been one of the worst defenders on the Portland Trail Blazers' roster since entering the league in 2018. Despite his prolific scoring, the Boston Celtics are learning why Portland was so willing to ship him.
Simons recently mentioned to Celtics media that he is learning defensive drills he's never worked on or been taught before.
"Whether it's stabbing at the ball, trying to steal the ball, get in passing lanes, being in the right spot each and every time, that's what we drilled for the first four weeks I was here before training camp," Simons told Noa Dalzell of CLNS Media. "Those things are things I never really worked on or been taught, and so I was happy that that was the focus."
Anfernee Simons' admission proves Blazers were right to move on
Simons is already entering his eighth season in the NBA. How has he never learned how to be in the right spot defensively? These are all very foundational and elementary things to learn, and it should concern Celtics fans, as well as head coach Joe Mazzulla, that he's openly admitting to not knowing the defensive basics.
To Simons' credit, he's coming off a solid preseason game for Boston, in which he recorded 21 points, two rebounds, and two assists on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. That's precisely what he's been doing in Portland, but he should be receiving more national recognition for it this season, assuming he stays in Boston. The Celtics could potentially even be a better fit for him offensively because of their style of play under Mazzulla, leading the league in three-point attempts (48.2 per game) by a wide margin last season.
Still, Boston, of all teams, should know that you primarily win championships on the defensive end.
It's incredibly challenging to construct an elite defense around Simons, especially considering how frequently teams hunt defensive weaknesses and exploit mismatches these days. Because of this, Simons is best suited in a sixth man role as a microwave scorer to bring off the bench. The problem, however, is that his contract is set to expire after the season.
It's difficult to invest so heavily in such a defense liability. The Celtics initially acquired Simons to duck the second apron. Do they really want to revisit their financial challenges to keep someone who is apparently just beginning to learn the basics of defense?
Portland arguably could have traded Simons even sooner than they did to maximize his trade value, but credit general manager Joe Cronin for realizing that the Blazers would never be able to achieve their vision of becoming an elite defensive team as long as Simons was still on the roster.
How Seahawks' Klint Kubiak handles next challenge might expose something deeper
Klint Kubiak is doing a very good job as the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator so far in 2025. Instead of former OC Ryan Grubb's lack of efficiency in the red zone, Kubiak's offense is eighth in the NFL in touchdown percentage in the red zone, and first in yards per play (6.3).
Grubb's offense was ranked 15th in red zone percentage, for instance, something that crippled the offense in important games. The former OC seemed to have no imagination in short-yardage situations, and that is one reason he is no longer with the team.
Kubiak is young (he is 38 years old) and smart, and trending toward being on the short-lists of head coach-needy teams. That is, of course, if the offense continues to play at a high level. Doing so will be a challenge in Week 7 against the Houston Texans.
Klint Kubiak and the Seattle Seahawks offense will be tested against the Houston Texans
Houston stumbled to a 0-3 start this season, after winning the AFC South in each of the last two seasons. The Texans appear to have corrected the ship in the last two games, however, as in successive weeks they have smacked the Tennessee Titans 26-0 and the Baltimore Ravens 44-10.
A big reason for the Texans' recent success is their defense. Houston has a good quarterback in the person of C.J. Stroud, but if Seattle can get key players such as Devon Witherspoon and Julian Love back for Week 7, the Seahawks should be fine in that facet.
Seattle might need to win a low-scoring contest, though. While the Jacksonville Jaguars have a good defense, Houston is better. The Texans are easily first in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game at 12.2. Houston is fourth in fewest yards per play (4.7), first in quarterback rating allowed (70.4), and eighth in fewest yards per rushing attempt (3.9).
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba also might be covered quite a bit by Derek Stingley Jr., one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. That could limit JSN's targets, which means another receiver is going to have to step up.
The best way for that to happen is for Klint Kubiak to game-plan for other players to elevate their production. Cooper Kupp is sure-handed, but not explosive anymore. Rookie Tory Horton is explosive, but inconsistently. At least, tight end AJ Barner has been great through six games.
The Seattle Seahawks have also been inconsistent in their rushing attack, and there is no reason that suddenly gets much better against Houston. 12s might see more of the bullish Zach Charbonnet getting carries than the more explosive but less attacking Kenneth Walker III.
Whatever happens will come down to how well Kubiak gets quarterback Sam Darnold and the offense ready. If the group gets 30 points, people are going to notice. Not just how good Seattle might be in 2025, but general managers looking for a new head coach next offseason and believing Klint Kubiak can be that guy.
