When he spoke to the media on Monday, Anfernee Simons did not hide his feelings of excitement about being one of the newest members of the Boston Celtics. Simons shared plenty of words about being ready to play for an organization with a winning pedigree, and immersing himself in Boston's sports culture as a whole.
"I was super excited for the opportunity to come here and join a culture that's already been set," Simons said. "Playing at the highest level and winning basketball. That's what I was excited about joining and being a part of."
The trade to Boston certainly came as a shock to Anfernee, but it sounds like he ultimately embraced the change and is all-in for his new team. "I turned a page and knew I was going to a great spot in coming here to a great organization. Everybody that's been here has said great things about the organization ... I'm pretty excited about being a part of something that's historic."
This is the kind of language that's going to resonate with Celtics fans right away given that the organization is largely predicated on a winning pedigree that spans multiple generations. Talking about joining a culture that's already been set really shows a lot of respect for the traditions of this franchise.
Anfernee Simons on getting traded to Boston:
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) September 29, 2025
“I was super excited for the opportunity to come here and join a culture that’s already been set… winning basketball.” pic.twitter.com/xyWwzlJNqu
Simons is excited to be a member of the Celtics
It was not only the words Simons spoke about being part of something special in Boston, but it was also the joy in his voice and the enthusiastic language he showed that's all very likely to build goodwill among the fanbase. This is the kind of thing that's likely to quickly turn him from just a new guy into someone who the fan base warms up to quickly due to his desire to conform to what the Celtics are all about.
That also comes in the form of Anfernee being excited about experiencing the overall sports scene in Boston. Back in Portland, the Trail Blazers were really the only professional sports team in town.
"Coming from Portland, we were the only team in the city other than the soccer team," Simons said. "Coming to the city, you can actually get involved in the sports teams. I went to the Patriots game last week against the Steelers, and I plan on going to a Red Sox game ... So I'm pretty excited about actually going out and seeing those things live."
It's obviously no secret that sports culture is one of the calling cards of Bostonians. If you love the Celtics, you probably love the Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox too. It's only fitting that Simons is equally as excited to ingrain himself into the culture of the city in this way as well, and it'll no doubt earn him some brownie points from Celtics fans.
Overall, demonstrating his buy-in to the organization this early on is definitely a good sign for Anfernee Simons and for Boston's long-term planning. If the Celtics have a guy on their hands who's wholeheartedly committed to the city, this organization, and its overall culture of winning and hard work, then I have no doubt he's going to be a seamless fit with this team.