Joe Mazzulla on Anfernee Simons: “We Wouldn’t Be in This Position Without Him”
Joe Mazzulla doesn’t do empty praise. When the Boston Celtics head coach speaks about a player, there’s usually substance behind the sentiment.
So when Mazzulla was asked recently about Anfernee Simons the sharp-shooting guard Boston traded to Chicago at the deadline in exchange for Nikola Vucevic his response carried the weight of genuine appreciation.
“We wouldn’t be in the position that we’re in right now if he didn’t help us win games.”
The Simons Era in Boston
Acquired from Portland in a blockbuster offseason deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers, Simons arrived in Boston with questions about fit. He was a career starter, a 20-point-per-game scorer in Portland.
How would he handle it?Answer: With professionalism, production, and zero drama.
In 49 games with the Celtics, Simons averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in just 24.5 minutes per game .
His magnum opus came January 15 against the Miami Heat: a scintillating 39-point explosion off the bench, including 7-of-16 from three, that lifted the Celtics to a 119-114 comeback win . Miami led by 19. Simons didn’t care.
“He was in that mode tonight where it was like, ‘Let’s give him the ball and get out of the way and let him be special,'” forward Sam Hauser said after that game .
Mazzulla’s Consistent Praise
“He’s done a great job controlling what he can control,” Mazzulla said in January. “The most important thing is just doing your job every night. He takes a ton of pride in that” .
The coach specifically highlighted Simons’ defensive growth an area considered a weakness during his Portland years. “I like the pride he takes in his defense. He wants to get better every night” .
The Trade That Had to Happen
With Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury and the Celtics’ frontcourt depth exposed, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens prioritized size. Nikola Vucevic, a two-time All-Star center, became available.
Simons understood. “Brad is a good guy, and he’s always been open and honest about everything,” he said after the trade. “Obviously, it was a tough conversation for him, and for me to accept, but we understood.
The Jaylen Brown Stamp of Approval
Jaylen Brown, the Celtics’ All-Star leader, reflected on Simons’ departure with genuine emotion: “Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me. It’s a business, but there’s a human aspect to it.
“He was a great teammate and did everything he needed to do that we asked him, and more. He contributed to winning. So Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me, and I hope he gets everything he deserves” .
The coach hasn’t forgotten.Neither should anyone else.