‘That’s the Ant I know’: Anfernee Simons finally had his Celtics breakout

The start to Anfernee Simons’ Celtics career hadn’t gotten off to a great start.

According to PBP Stats, through three games, Boston’s net rating with Simons on the court was -15.5 in 82 minutes while they were a +6.2 in 62 minutes with Simons on the bench (net rating is a teams plus minus per 100 possessions).

In the first half in New Orleans, Simons was a -10 in a game the Celtics led the Pelicans 65-54.

Then, in the fourth quarter, Simons got hot.

For the game, Simons had 25 points and 6 rebounds on 9/17 from the field and 6/13 from three. He also ended up a +9 for the game.

Jayson Tatum interrupted Simons’ post game interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin to give Ant a shoutout.

“That’s the Ant I know,” Tatum said. He’s right. Ever since Simons broke out during the 2021-22 season, he has been a guy who can put the ball in the basket in bunches.

However, those first three games also were not necessarily an aberration. Simons has has shown throughout his career he is a very up and down player. When he isn’t great, it can be rough, but when he’s on his game, like he was in the 4th quarter on Monday, it can be fun to watch.

His pull-up is among the most lethal pull-up jumpers you will see.

This, of course, is not from Monday but I still wanted to highlight it because NBC Sports Boston’s Brian Scalabrine’s reaction says it all: “WOOOOAAAAAAH.”

Simons comes off the screen from Neemias Queta and sees that Sixers backup center Adem Boma is playing drop coverage. As a result, he is able to get to his spot and creates a little extra space on the step back over a good contest from Boma.

Through the first three games, there hadn’t been enough of this from Simons. On Monday night, Simons found it, especially in crunchtime.

I want to focus on the last shot. He has a one on one against the Pelicans’ rookie guard Jeremiah Fears. Simons just sizes him up and takes the step back and drill it even with a pretty good contest from Fears — just an awesome shot and he made it look easy.

There are going to be times where the Celtics are struggling to generate baskets, especially if Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are on the bench, and they are going to look for Simons to bail them out. He needs to come through in those circumstances.

After the game, Simons talked his adjustment to having a different role with the Celtics. “For sure it’s different. Obviously me having the ball more in Portland, I can always be a little bit more patient, knowing I have the ball in my hands the whole game. (Here), you gotta look at guys who has the ball in their hands and can make plays so you kinda have to find your rhythm within that.”

Simons also talked about the ways he wants to impact winning. “Like I said before, I want to come in here and impact winning. They’ve been winning a lot before me so I want to find my way within that and still be myself but also find new ways to try and contribute to winning.”

Anfernee Simons is by no means a perfect player, his defense is lacking and he isn’t a great passer. However, his ability to put the ball in the hoop is something to marvel at and he showed that once again on Monday night.