One of our major issues is that we don’t have a true floor general. Even though FVV came into the league as a true point guard, he has evolved to the place of being shoot-first. In addition, he’s our current floor general but possesses an average wingspan and athleticism, which is a large part of the reason he can have trouble scoring in the paint and defending bigger, longer guards…
Which leads us to: who can we get to help us? No one player is gonna solve the issue, but someone who can at least help would be nice.
Firstly, the way the NBA recycles players and coaches who are already known commodities is absurd. And if we know one thing about Masai Ujiri and the Raps Front Office, it’s that they don’t mind bucking convention and taking some risks. So let’s take a look just outside the league:
Enter G-Leaguer-and-sometime-NBA’er [Zavier Simpson](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPAaVjdtRBY)
* 25 (turns 26 this year) – a year older than Malachi, three years younger than FVV
* [reportedly has a 41″ max vertical leap](https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2019/08/all-sorts-of-personal-records-including-a-12-foot-jump-for-michigan-basketball-team-in-summer-workouts.html) as of 2019
* 6’0″ (same as Flynn and FVV) in shoes with a reported [6’4″ wingspan](https://umhoops.com/2015/09/09/four-star-point-guard-xavier-simpson-commits-to-michigan/) as of the summer before his senior year of high school (2015)
* top 3 in assists in the G League every season
* averaged 7.5 apg and 11 ppg in the four NBA games he’s played in
* shooting 47% from three this G League season
* was top 10 in Defensive Win Shares last G League season
* was Big Ten All-Defensive Team and a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award semifinalist in his senior year at Michigan (2019-20)
And some standout stats from his four NBA games last year:
* * a 17 point, 9 rebound, 7 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block game against the Clippers (4th NBA game)
* a 13 point, 6 rebound, 7 assist, and 1 block effort against the Lakers (3rd NBA game)
* 10 points, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks against the Blazers (1st NBA game)
* 11 assist and 3 steal outing against the Jazz (2nd NBA game played)
## **Offensive Strengths**
* [Simpson is averaging around 18 ppg this season](https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/simpsza01d.html)
* [he rebounds the ball well for his size, averaging 4.7 rpg over his G League career](https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/simpsza01d.html) and [averaged 4.5 rpg in his senior season at Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#College)
* also, this triple double in the G League last season: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnn63M-bJK0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnn63M-bJK0)
Anyways, a breakdown of **offensive strengths** that could help us:
### **Playmaking**
[Look](https://youtu.be/KPAaVjdtRBY?t=99) at [some](https://youtu.be/KPAaVjdtRBY?t=107) of [this](https://youtu.be/KPAaVjdtRBY?t=142) [playmaking](https://youtu.be/KPAaVjdtRBY?t=174). [Damn](https://youtu.be/Pnn63M-bJK0?t=87). And y’all will **LOVE** [this bounce pass post entry](https://youtu.be/1VEn3yXw3TA?t=86)
* [averaged the most assists in the Big Ten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#Senior_season), with 7.9, in his senior season at Michigan (2019-20) and was only the second player in U of Michigan history to surpass 600 career assists
* is second in G League’s total assists when you combine the Showcase Cup–a G League pre-season mini-season and playoffs of around 20-30 games–and regular season with 8.6 apg over 27 games. I’ll be combining the Showcase Cup and the regular season from now on and referring to them simply as “the season” or “season” (note: I did not delve into Chris Chiozza, the overall G League season assist leader, as he is two years older and stands 5’11” with a 6’0″ wingspan)
* has been [top 2 or 3 in G League assists for every season](https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/simpsza01d.html) of his G League career
* [averaged 7.5 apg–and 11 ppg–over his four NBA games played for OKC in 2021-22](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#NBA), including [an 11 assist outing vs the Jazz](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simpsza01/gamelog/2022#pgl_basic)
### Finishing in Traffic
With a longer wingspan at 6’4”, good athleticism, and some more advanced finishes, like [his awesome and polished skyhook](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY5-LSb-fv8), Simpson is impressive at scoring inside against bigger dudes. [By Any Means Basketball](https://www.youtube.com/@ByAnyMeansBasketball) even did a [breakdown of his skyhook](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V12GJZPvDE) because it’s so *damn* consistent and *fantastic* against bigger opponents
* in his first NBA action (2021-22 season) against the Blazers, [Simpson gets by Keon Johnson and finishes in traffic](https://youtu.be/dULM4UG2QYk?t=12)
* [nice finish showcasing his length and athleticism against a big helpside defender](https://youtu.be/FAi75m3ueug?t=33)
* more against the Blazers, [uses an off-hand skyhook in traffic](https://youtu.be/dULM4UG2QYk?t=154)
* again against the Blazers, [strong hand skyhook against much bigger defender in the halfcourt](https://youtu.be/dULM4UG2QYk?t=196)
* [athletic, extending off-hand finish splitting two helpside defenders](https://youtu.be/FAi75m3ueug?t=158)
* also, Simpson’s shooting percentage inside the 3 point line–[52.9% on 2’s this G League season and 53.3% in the 2021-22 G League regular season](https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/simpsza01d.html#nbdl_totals-sc)–also lends some credence to the statement that he’s a good finisher
### Shooting from Range
Simpson’s a 36% 3 point shooter–shooting an *astounding* 47.9% from 3 this season–for his G League career. This shows a great work ethic and drive to improve as one of the knocks against him early in his college career (and around draft time in 2020) was his long-range shooting.
* [as a freshman (2016-17) at Michigan he only shot 26.3% from 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#College)
* by his senior (2019-20) season, he was shooting [36% from distance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#College)
* and [last season in the G League, he shot 34.6% from 3](https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/simpsza01d.html#nbdl_totals-sc)
* but [this season, Simpson’s seen a *massive* jump to 47.9% from 3 over 27 games so far](https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/simpsza01d.html#nbdl_totals-sc)
## **Defensive Strengths**
Our guards’ biggest weakness is probably their defense, especially considering we’re meant to be a great defensive team and they’re the starting point of that. Turns out, Simpson could potentially help us with this too…
* Simpson’s junior season at Michigan (2018-19) he was named to the [midseason top 15 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award watchlist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#Junior_season)
* also in his junior season, [Simpson made the Big Ten All Defensive Team](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#Junior_season)
* in his senior season at Michigan (2019-20), he was named a [semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#Senior_season)
* sidenote: Simpson was *also* named to the [midseason Wooden Award watchlist for the most outstanding collegiate player](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zavier_Simpson#Senior_season) in his senior season, 2019-20
* over the 2021-22 G League season, [he was top 10 in Defensive Win Shares](https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/simpsza01d.html)
### Quick Hands and Long Arms Leading to Steals… so many steals
* [https://youtu.be/Pnn63M-bJK0?t=99](https://youtu.be/Pnn63M-bJK0?t=99)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnn63M-bJK0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnn63M-bJK0)
* [https://youtu.be/FAi75m3ueug?t=9](https://youtu.be/FAi75m3ueug?t=9)
* in his first NBA game (2021-22) against the Trail Blazers, [easily pokes the ball out of Eubanks hands on the break](https://youtu.be/dULM4UG2QYk?t=21)
* [averaged 1.25 steals/game over his four-game NBA stint in 2021-22](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simpsza01/gamelog/2022#pgl_basic)
### Good On-Ball Defender
* in 1st NBA game (2021-22 season), [plays stand-up on-ball defense against the bigger Kris Dunn on a couple third quarter possessions](https://youtu.be/dULM4UG2QYk?t=137), forcing a missed shot and then a turnover
* against the Blazers again, [forces Kris Dunn into tough shot and airball miss in the post](https://youtu.be/dULM4UG2QYk?t=216)
* [good on-ball D, steal, and finish on the other end in the clutch against UCLA](https://youtu.be/h-lAZp1ct_A?t=121)
### Good Movement and Recovery During Off-Ball Team Defense
* [stays low, hands wide, recovers a bit late but still manages to swipe ball from his man then finish the fastbreak](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VEn3yXw3TA)
* against the Jazz, in his second NBA game, [stays low, wide hands, steals pass](https://youtu.be/7SI4S1Yx1wg?t=198)
* against the Trailblazers, in his first NBA game, [plays great head-on-a-swivel help when Eubanks is open because Eubanks’ man went to help, and digs down from up top on Eubanks, makes a play at the ball to prevent an easy bucket, but gets called for the foul](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dULM4UG2QYk)
## **Weaknesses**
Now, Simpson still has some flaws, but with our player development–Rico Hines et al.–Simpson’s proven work ethic, and younger age that some of it will improve
### Free Throw Shooting
He’s only a 50-ish% free throw shooter, which is… not good at all for a lead guard. But as someone who’s improved their long range shooting immensely over the last few years, there is a lotta hope.
### Turnover Prone
This one is more a product of being a lead guard. Simpson generally averages a 2.5-3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is *fantastic*. However, in some of his NBA games, he had some absolute turnover doozies; however, with his resume, some fantastic playmaking shown in NBA games, and never having played NBA competition–besides four games in the 2021-22 season–I’d chalk this up to needing time to adjust to the faster, stronger, longer game.
### Undersized
Simpson is still only 6’0” in shoes. This is tough for guarding bigger guards. However, he’s demonstrated he can do it based on his defensive accolades at the NCAA and G League levels. His 6’4” wingspan, proven willingness and ability to stay in a stance and keep his body in front of his man, and athleticism don’t hurt either.
### Lack of NBA Experience
This is the big one. However, let’s re-hash some standout stats from his four NBA games last season:
* a 17 point, 9 rebound, 7 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block game against the Clippers (4th NBA game)
* a 13 point, 6 rebound, 7 assist, and 1 block effort against the Lakers (3rd NBA game)
* 11 assists and 3 steals outing against the Jazz (2nd NBA game played)
* 10 points, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks against the Blazers (1st NBA game)
Simpson got better the more games he played, somewhat flirting with two triple doubles in his last two, which were only his 3rd and 4th, NBA games. In addition, the only way to work on NBA experience is to *get* NBA experience.
by soyouthinkyoucant
20 Comments
He is bad at defence and bad at shooting at the nba level lol but you think he would help? He is a worse version of Flynn and if you don’t think that Flynn wouldn’t absolutely dominate the G league then I don’t know what to tell you
I respect the commitment, writing all that about Zavier Simpson lol
Sign me up. Everyone is gonna come into the thread and clown on you because we’re suddenly against trying to get value from G-League guys (despite a not-insignificant amount of players whom we’ve gotten value from starting in the G-League), but what do the 2022-23 Toronto Raptors have to lose from signing this guy for the rest of the season **provided he will get to play**. At worst case scenario he’s one of the 8 guys on this team that Nurse refuses to play.
47% 3pt shooter and 50% FT shooter? That’s worth the price of admission on its own.
> And if we know one thing about Masai Ujiri and the Raps Front Office, it’s that they don’t mind bucking convention and taking some risks
Yeah and I’m kinda tired of it. Stop trying to play the game on extra hard mode for no reason at all.
> Simpson is **still** only 6’0” in shoes.
He’s almost 26, he’s not going to grow anymore.
> Now, Simpson still has some flaws, but with our player development–Rico Hines et al.–
Rico hasn’t done a single thing for the raptors tbf.
Flynn has averaged 21/5/5 in his brief g-league appearances.
He was one of the best pick and roll offensive players in college basketball when he was still in school, and was a defensive player of the year in with MWC.
Love the grind on the post, although I admittedly didn’t read the whole thing. Sometimes less is more with writing! Maybe a section specifically saying what this player might succeed despite similar players not so far, such as Flynn, would be insightful for readers.
Good idea, too bad nurse wouldn’t play him, gotta get Fred his 40mpg
What’s the sample size for 3? Just wondering cause almost 48% from 3 and 50% from the FT line makes me wonder how reliable that 3 ball is lol
Nevertheless based off what you’ve written I’d give him a 10 day once this second Wieskamp one is done.
Man I’m impressed with this write up. Good fucking job my man.
Definitely an impressive effort on this post OP, as for Zavier Simpson, well Flynn was also great in the G-League, it’s a lower level of competitiveness than the NBA, not saying Zavier isn’t a good idea, but he’s 25, won’t be improving too much and if he were on our roster I’m not sure I see him being anything more than another bench piece who barely gets any minutes
He has one of the strangest NBA careers ever. In 4 games, he averaged 43.5 minutes. Has anyone in the history of the NBA with a career that short averaged that many minutes? I doubt it. He seems like a solid player but if I’m being honest Hassani Gravett seems like the guy to go with if we’re looking at guards to get. I remember what he did on Orlando last season and it was impressive. He has kind of a very steady high IQ style of play. Might not put up huge numbers but he always seems to make the right play.
Great write up brother. You should send it Simpson.
I streamed him last year when he played for OKC, he’s a lot of fun to watch. nice hookshot on him too
The only help we need is for teams below us to keep winning
You know you love hoops when you have that kind of detailed report on Zavier Simpson. Let’s sign him!
Got me sold. Give him Malachi spot
Holy shit dude…you probably just spent hours writing about a G-league player that won’t ever crack a starting lineup in the NBA…lol I don’t know whether I should commend you or tell you to get a life haha Kudos for the passion! but damn bro…Zavier Simpson??? you must be his agent or something…lol
This was a refreshing read, especially for this page haha I’m sold
Great read
Love this! This is appreciation for the time you took to put this all together for us. Appreciate the grind my guy