How Anfernee Simons is rewriting his reputation with the Celtics

At training camp, Anfernee Simons, energized by the chance to play in a major market and suit up for a global franchise, shared what he was most eager to prove with his opportunity.

For an eighth-year guard with minimal playoff experience, it was about changing the narrative.

"That I can impact winning," said Simons in early October. "I think that was one of the big things that you could say about me, is that in the last couple [of] years, where I've been the main guy, we didn't win. So, I want to come in -- like I said before -- no matter how it looks, I want to have that winning player stigma on me, and so that's pretty much simple.

"No matter what it looks like, how hard it is, how much of an adjustment it can be, ups and downs, I want to be able to stretch myself into being that type of player."

It wasn't as if the Portland Trail Blazers underachieved during the 26-year-old guard's tenure. They met expectations. The desire to put a label on something or someone, often without spending enough time and thought on it, is likely what Simons was a victim of. Even his reputation on defense didn't show enough consideration for the fact that he was operating as his team's primary offensive option the last two seasons.

Now, less than halfway through his first season with the Boston Celtics, the former first-round pick is already rewriting his reputation.

Anfernee Simons is changing his narrative

In the Celtics' 115-101 win over the Chicago Bulls, a victory that moves them into second in the Eastern Conference, they leaned on their new sixth man in the second half.

Simons responded with 27 points on 9/13 shooting [69.2 percent]. That includes knocking down 8/11 attempts from behind the arc [72.7 percent]. His supernova second half came on the heels of going 0/3 and being scoreless in the first two frames.

Not only does his output represent a new season-high, but his 27 points are the most by a Celtic off the bench in one half in franchise history, per StatMuse.

"There's some games where that run that he's been on, and his stint now has separated the game for us," said Joe Mazzulla after Boston's eighth win in its last nine matchups.

However, even more of a topic of post-game discussion was his evolution into a two-way player this year. It started with the second half of that quote by Mazzulla.

"Where he's really been the most consistent is the defensive end. The physicality on the defensive end, executing our schemes, executing our coverages…that's where he's been at his best."

That physicality is allowing Simons to hold his ground and fight for his space on defense. His on-ball pressure has improved compared to years past.

He has put in considerable work behind the scenes to learn the Celtics' defensive schemes, keep up with the changes to their pick-and-roll coverage, and figure out how to win, not only through physicality but through positioning.

"Just being in the right spots, and obviously, knowing my matchup, knowing whether he can shoot, and drive left, drive right, and just being locked in," said Simons. "Not putting myself in bad positions to be scored on and be in a better position for my teammates as well. So, I've been pretty pleased with myself when it comes to that end of the floor. And just got to keep building."

Simons's defensive development within a new infrastructure is one part of the equation. And while there might not be any correlation between him being in a contract year and now taking pride in what he does at that end of the floor, that is the case this season. What was always easy to understand is that shouldering less responsibility on offense would lend itself to him generating a greater output on defense.

"I think he's always had that ability. It's a little bit harder when you're the main engine to maybe play defense every night at a high level," voiced Payton Pritchard post-game. "But for him, he's expanding his game, but he's always been capable of this."

It's a testament to Simons fitting within an organization that places a premium on its culture. Between that and his increasing impact on both sides of the ball, perhaps the Celtics should not only keep him past February's trade deadline, but re-sign him in the offseason if the price is right.