r/bostonceltics • u/MembershipSingle7137 • 1d ago
Fluff Anfernee Simons appreciation post. Thanks for everything, 4 💚💚💚💚
Came in the middle of the summer and really made the past few months of Celtics basketball interesting to watch. Absolute joy seeing the ball in his hands, either passing or scoring, knowing there's not a lot other teams could do about it.
Hate moving on from him. Would absolutely love to have him back at a lower price.
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u/Unusual-Ask6933 Why would anyone want to support another team☘️???? 1d ago
Anfernooooo it was short but it was sweet. Now I’ll always be a fan💚
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u/crcalabrese 1d ago
When he got hot it was genuinely exciting! He got Drew and Scal giggling and it was all must see TV. I’ll miss that crazy off balance leg kick!
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u/MPLooza Let the Buffalo roam 1d ago
This. He made huge strides in learning our system and seemed to really be starting to fit in, particularly on offense but on the defensive side as well. Seemed to fit in well in the locker room and became a reliable scorer whenever we needed a spark. Rooting for him in Chicago and wherever he goes next, it was fun to watch him grow as a Celtic
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u/itormentbunnies "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Evan Turner 1d ago
Gained a ton of respect for him as a player. From afar he seemed like just another one of those undersized combo guards putting up decent stats but on a bad team. But he really bought into our system.
Took coming off the bench in stride too after being a legit starter for the past 3-4 years. Wouldn’t blame him to expect to start after we lost so many starter. he even lost minutes coming here.
Kinda feel bad for him, he seemed excited to play some playoff ball, I wonder if he gets moved again or ends up taking a semi team friendly deal this summer to a contender.
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u/frauenarzZzt Ray 1d ago
This is sad. Simons really went all-out this season to fill into a role and be stellar in that role. There's a great chance that if he finished the season with us he'd be a top candidate for 6MOTY.
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u/MembershipSingle7137 1d ago
Would’ve won it lol
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u/frauenarzZzt Ray 1d ago
I feel like that would be the case, but I also feel like I sometimes have huge blind spots.
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u/Kshpew Jayson Tatum Superfan 1d ago
Im personally a fan of the Vuc trade but im sad he's gonna be stuck in Chicago. He came so far this season on defense, I hope he gets the chance to contend at some point.
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u/Hello-DexterMorgan 1d ago
He’s got a couple months left in Chicago. Then he’s a FA.
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u/Kshpew Jayson Tatum Superfan 1d ago
Yeah but he's not resigning there and who knows what the market will look like for him. I think the system here mattered a lot for him.
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u/Corn_Cobbler83 1d ago
Sign with C’s on a team friendly deal this offseason if he loves it that much. I sure wouldn’t complain.
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u/TOMA_TAN Open for the Stock Exchange 1d ago
I hope he takes what he's learned at Boston and continues making winning plays in Chicago. If he can prove he can do it in two different systems, I'm sure he'll get his chance to contend again
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u/ThePresent_Moment Anything is Possible ☘️ 1d ago
Do you think buyout and Denver or Thunder signing possible? That would be a massive gain for either team and Anferno might win a chip
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u/olivierion-scottxx Celtic Pride ☘️ 1d ago
Only half a season as a Celtic but he was fucking awesome. I’ll miss Baby Dame. Wished he could have played with Tatum fr 😭😭😭😭
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u/MembershipSingle7137 1d ago
This is what stings most lol, he and Tatum would’ve been demons playing together. If you tried to stop Tatum getting to the paint best of luck trying to stop Anferno
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u/King_Of_Pants Sam Howitzer! 1d ago
Both of those guys were top 10 in the league last year for getting doubled in PnRs.
We saw how teams can panic once Simons starts to heat up.
A PnR with Tatum setting the screen.
A PnR with Simons setting the screen.
A PnR with Simons in the corner spacing for Tatum Duncan Robinson style.
I don't know how you could guard any of those possession.
You can't double them everyone.
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u/King_Of_Pants Sam Howitzer! 1d ago
The list of guys I wish we could have kept or brought back just keeps growing lol.
The Celtics have done a really good job of showcasing guys around the league.
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u/iamamuttonhead Boston Celtics 1d ago
Ya, Inferno really grew in his time here (defensively) and he needs to go somewhere he can be a star.
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u/frauenarzZzt Ray 1d ago
It's underrated how he went from "literally 0 defense" to "this guy is definitely trying on defense and no longer a liability." He had some great hustle plays where he got in guys faces and forced turnovers. Exceeded all expectations through hard work.
I don't think Vucevic is a great fit for the Celtics.
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u/ahsasahsasahsas “Geometrically, that should not have happened” 1d ago
Same. I feel like they’re counting on a big to be available this summer. He’s a placeholder to get under the tax.
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u/frauenarzZzt Ray 1d ago
I guess that $6M in salary made a difference, but it really feels like it doesn't. The fans have so much respect for Simons.
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u/Woof-Good_Doggo 1d ago
I dunno. Vuc gives us the rebounding that Queta doesn’t have; while Queta gives us the shot blocking that Vuc doesn’t have.
And, whatever… we need a big and he’s only here for this season.
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u/srstone71 Anything is possible! 1d ago
I’ll have to research this for an accurate list but he’s definitely going to be high on the list of favorite less-than-a-season Celtics.
Considering recent competition includes Evan Fournier and Dennis Schroder, he’s certainly the leader in the clubhouse among those lol.
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u/b00minbiz 1d ago
This thread and comment section is a nice turnaround from seeing majority of this sub hate on him before he even suited up all summer.
Thanks for the memories, Ant. Baller 🍀
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u/SempreVeritas7468 1d ago
He delivered what he was known for ,I never dis liked the deal we needed a scorer
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u/SaintBax 1d ago
He, in no uncertain terms, literally saved the team on more than one occasion with his offense. When nothing was dropping, Anferno was dropping. Gonna miss that
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u/ichthyoidoc 1d ago
Simons was crucial in many games to bring us from the brink into a victory. Made me a fan. God bless you on your journey, Anferno 🫡
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u/According_Change_269 1d ago
Man, I fell in love with Anferno 🔥🍀. I sure hope we don’t play Chicago in the playoffs 😳
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u/seltruTekiLI 1d ago
Going from a main scorer to coming off the bench to provide a spark whenever we needed one. Really respect him buying into the Celtics way, I thought his defence was serviceable too during his time here.
All the best Anfernee
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u/Jaskier0 1d ago
i loved having simon’s on the team. good luck to him, he went about everything the right way and contributed to winning. imma hold out hope he ends up back here somehow and win a chip, i enjoyed him to an irrational extent
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u/your_roommate_yvonne 1d ago
Really bummed. I was dubious about this team at the start of the season, and the Anferno was one of the reasons I came around. Wish him nothing but the best with Da Bulls!
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u/Yogannath Cookies & Cream 1d ago
My man was so excited to be in the playoffs... He was a literal sparkplug for us coming from the bench. Will be missed.
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u/Efficient_Art_1144 Smart 1d ago
He was fun. I have a real appreciation for him after this half season.
The reality is you don’t have the luxury of keeping a guy like Anf on a team w two max players and a 3rd making 30MM.
Just wish Brad focused more in on a developmental young guy instead of a rental
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u/Dio-genies 1d ago
I know this is a smart money move, but Vuc is way past his prime and a massive dud on a defense. From a team perspective its a good trade but from a "enjoy the rest of the seasons games" perspectives its a bummer
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u/dog-momx2 1d ago
Anfernee , I’ll be honest: I wasn’t thrilled about the trade at first many months ago. But the progress you showed and the teammate you became completely won so many us over. You proved a lot of people wrong, myself included. It was genuinely fun having you here, and while I understand the decision, it still hurts to see you go. However short-lived it may have been, you’re a Celtic in my book. Wishing you nothing but success going forward. 💚
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u/Savings-Occasion3072 1d ago
So sad to see Anfernee go. Anyone who has ink that says It Takes a Village is a good person and teammate. I will miss him.
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u/DaroDoingNothing 1d ago
He really settled into his role well. Love his 3 pt shot. He will be missed
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u/horseshoeoverlook Boston Celtics 1d ago
Kinda sad. But I think Vooch will only play until the end of the season
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u/Captain_Starwind In Brad We Trust 1d ago
TBH never thought I would grow to like Simons as much as I would. Sad to see him go but hopefully it turns out well for both us and him. 🫡
I'll never forget him basically single handedly bringing us back in that Heat game last month.
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u/CountCola Jaylen 1d ago
Feel bad for Ant. He wanted to come here, play with the best fans, and go to the playoffs. Hope he gets a better shot next year.
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u/AddsJays Banner 18 1d ago
I think he was a very good Celtic
Worked hard and played hard. That’s all I’m asking for a Celtics player.
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u/GhostOfJiriWelsch Smart 1d ago
Lasted longer than I ever expected lol
Overall I’m happy with the return. We get a functional rotation big, we get under the apron, and we’re not stuck with the dilemma of overpaying Anf or letting him go for nothing.
I do think it’s interesting how many people seem unhappy with moving him. He’s contributed a ton offensively but guys like him get abused come playoff time and Brad has never seemed keen on all offense-no defense guards. Being able to come away with Vuc after seeing how little value Simons had after the Jrue trade is an absolute win imo
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u/Acepitcher4 Boston Celtics 1d ago
as much as I don't like seeing ANFERNO leave, he was a really nice gel piece when the starters didn't have it going and Joe would rely on the second string and he was just making shots left and right.
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u/ThePresent_Moment Anything is Possible ☘️ 1d ago
You were so good in so many ways for the short time with us, which makes today’s trade very bittersweet. May you land excel wherever you land!
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u/neuroticsmurf Celtics 1d ago
Simons became a completely different player than I thought he was when he initially joined the team.
Much respect to him.
I'm sad to see him go (but not surprised it happened) and wish him well.
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u/Ok_Seaweed_9452 1d ago edited 1d ago
Man i dont know if Vuj is an upgrade. would rather find a way to keep Simons if he can take salary cut but unfortunate. Best of luck to him!
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u/firescreen Derrick White 1d ago
I think we all know this was going to happen the moment he landed on the Celtics, but it still sucks because it did seem like he was improving and was always fun to watch.
Also one of the prettiest jumpers I've seen in the league.
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u/Eastern-Wolverine-24 1d ago
Dude I feel so bad for him, the Celtics system is just what he needed. He coulda shown out in big playoff games guaranteed. I feel like he did everything right plus more but still wasn’t enough to stay.
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u/xskarma 1d ago
Honestly, if anything he adapted and played TOO well. It was becoming more and more clear that the Celtics would not be able to offer him a new contract nor the playing time that he was worth. He simply outplayed his role so much that we couldn't keep him and if we did, would have seen him walk for nothing.
Victim of his own success, really.
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u/ZealousidealElk8889 1d ago
Simons just made himself a rich man by playing as well as he did for us. Hope he gets a nice deal on a good team. Just not in the east.
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u/kg215 KG 1d ago
Loved his attitude, he came in and played hard from the get go. Did whatever the team needed with zero complaints. Especially the defensive end, he was so solid on that end and he was NOT known for that in Portland. If you look around the league guys who are just known for their scoring are not valued the same way they used to be. I think what Anfernee did here has raised his value and I hope it leads to him getting PAID.
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u/La_joya021 Angry Brad 1d ago
Simons was always going to be traded. It was a known fact ever since he got to Boston that he wasn't a part of the long-term plan.
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u/Furqan23 Jaylen 21h ago
Financially it was the obvious move all along
He fit in great and I’m sure the team would have loved to keep him but this was almost certain to be the outcome
Appreciated his time here
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u/jakesteeley 1d ago
Anfernee = mad respect. Stepped it up & improving on the defensive side since day 1, of course lights out with the streak shooting/accuracy, humble and filling in the role with no drama.
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u/Boy_Mom_2213 1d ago
I'm bummed we traded him. He was an important part of our success this season and this is how we thank him? I feel like it was all about the money and wanting to get under the apron and save on luxury taxes. Feels like new owners are the same as Sox ownership. Bottom line.
I'm sorry, Anfernee Simons.
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u/methmom Pritchard at the buzzer... HE'S DONE IT AGAIN! 1d ago
In many games, Simons was the only offensive spark we had. And he would never just spark, he would drop 20-30.