Anfernee Simons shares candid outlook on what starting means to him

One of the most discussed topics surrounding Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons this summer is whether he or Payton Pritchard will start alongside Derrick White.

The team's president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, utilized his time at the podium on media day to issue a challenge to Simons, an "electric scorer," he wants to "accentuate those around him on both ends of the court."

But whether a seven-year veteran, who has been a first-unit fixture since his second NBA season is comfortable carrying out that mission while coming off the bench was anyone's guess.

At media day at the Auerbach Center on Monday, Simons made his stance on the subject abundantly clear.

Anfernee Simons is open to coming off the bench

The 26-year-old guard told Hardwood Houdini, "I'm pretty excited about being a part of something that's historic."

After spending the first seven years of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, one could understand if getting traded was bittersweet. However, the emotion he conveyed was his happiness to play in a major market for a historic franchise.

That type of exposure can help Simons during a contract year. However, his focus is on learning from those who have won a championship and maximizing his time in Boston -- however long it lasts. That's why the six-foot-three guard made it abundantly clear that he has no issue playing whatever role the Celtics ask of him.

"I understand the situation I'm coming into," voiced Simons. "And I understand my goals. As a player and as a team, we want to win, and I want to win. I want to contribute to winning at the highest level, and so whatever -- how that looks, I'm fine with. It can vary game-to-game, that's what's been said, and so I'm just excited about the opportunity to play with all these guys and contribute to winning."

The Celtics place a premium on bringing high-character individuals into their work environment. For Simons to perform at his best this season and showcase why this could turn into a multi-year partnership, he must demonstrate that type of team-first mentality.

That includes proving his commitment to the defensive end of the floor.

"We talked about it," Simons said of his conversations with his new head coach, Joe Mazzulla, about that topic. "It's just a matter of if I want to do it or not. It's really that simple. Coming into a culture like this, you have to be able to adapt."

What's encouraging to Simons is that Mazzulla "says, 'You're not as bad as people think you are.'" That has him "pretty excited about being pushed into a new level, which I can reach."