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.