Anfernee Simons Opens Up About Struggles with Blazers’ Losing Culture

PORTLAND, Ore. — In his seventh NBA season, Anfernee Simons is facing what he describes as the toughest mental battle of his career. The Portland Trail Blazers guard opened up about his struggles with the team’s prolonged losing streak and the organizational changes that have left him questioning the franchise’s direction.

Simons, 25, is averaging 17.7 points this season, a significant drop from his career-high 22.6 points last year. His shooting percentages from 3-point range (.335) and the field (.415) are among the lowest of his career. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, including a game-winning buzzer-beater against Denver, Simons admits that the constant losing has taken a toll on his mental health.

“I’m not going to lie, this is probably the hardest mental battle I’ve had in my career,” Simons told The Athletic. “It’s been hard as hell. I be having my bad days. I’m like anybody else. I call them my ‘human days,’ when I let things get to me a little bit.”

The Blazers, currently 11-22, have the sixth-worst record in the NBA and have suffered 10 defeats by 20 or more points. The team’s struggles are part of a broader organizational shift that has seen the front office prioritize draft picks over immediate success. Since General Manager Joe Cronin took over, the Blazers have a 81-175 record, a .316 winning percentage.

Simons, who joined the Blazers in 2018, reminisced about the stability and strong relationships that once defined the organization. “When you are in the middle of a whole organizational turnaround, and you came into a culture that was set and everything was this-this-this and then, that changes, you are like … ‘S—, what the hell is going on?’” he said.

Despite his frustrations, Simons has not requested a trade. He has had two “very light” conversations with Cronin this season, but he doesn’t feel he has the leverage to make demands. “I can say how I feel, but I don’t think I’m in that position,” Simons said. “There’s only a few players who can go in there and make (demands). I don’t think that’s my job. My job is to go out and play.”

Coach Chauncey Billups has noticed Simons’ struggles and has had several conversations with him about his mental state. “We’ve talked about it, and my talks with Ant will be with Ant, but yes, I see it,” Billups said. “It was last year, too. We had some good, long talks over the summer, things that were bothering him, and things I could help him with.”

Simons is determined to be part of the solution in Portland. He believes that one way for the Blazers to win more is for him to play better. “I have to come in and be professional and be myself every day,” he said. “This can be a tough situation if you let it be a tough situation. Obviously, not winning as much as you would like the last couple of years, it can get on you mentally.”

As the Blazers continue their rebuild, Simons remains focused on overcoming his mental hurdles and helping the team find its footing. “Ultimately, this is a test of faith, and a test of mental toughness and what I’m going to do to get myself out of this feeling,” he said.