Shabazz Napier turned heads in his collegiate career but has floundered in the NBA. A new season in Orlando gives him an opportunity to make his mark again.
Shabazz Napier has a long way to go to make his NBA career. He struggled his rookie year with the Heat and was more or less dumped on the Orlando Magic for virtually nothing (a second round pick that will not convey unless it is 55-60).
Napier made his name with a stellar college career at Connecticut. He was part of two national championship teams and had his fair share of clutch shots and highlight moments. He was a guy who was always in front of the populace and thus his popularity.
Even LeBron James noticed. He openly campaigned for the Heat to pick him with their first round pick last summer, and the Heat obliged. Then James took off for Cleveland.
That was not Napier’s fault at all. Napier became a victim of the publicity he generated for himself. But he was not that kind of player. He had to learn to play point guard in the NBA and that is not easy.
His trade to Orlando represents a fresh start for him, but it is one that comes with a lot of work to accomplish.
Napier is behind Elfrid Payton and C.J. Watson on the depth chart. He will have to push for minutes or force two-point guard lineups to get consistent playing time. As Sean Guest of Orlando Magic Daily writes, Napier is fighting for everything this year with a somewhat uncertain contract status after this year:
“I have always been the type of guy not to pinpoint one thing,” Napier said. “I have always wanted to improve every single thing I can. Whether it is shooting the ball better, being a better leader or being quicker. I just want to always tell myself to thrive and strive to be better than I was yesterday.”
That approach will go a long way with the Magic’s coaching staff, who will relish the opportunity to work with a player of Napier’s potential. He is after all a scorer capable of delivering instant offense, something he proved during a 25-point outing against the San Antonio Spurs early last season.
Napier will get another chance for some preseason revenge Tuesday against the Heat. He already hit a game-winning 3-pointer to defeat them already this preseason. If any of that matters.
This preseason, Napier has made three appearances this preseason, averaging 7.3 points per game and shooting 58.3 percent from the floor, including four of six from beyond the arc. Napier has shown those offensive flashes that made him promising and got him a look in the NBA.
It is clear though he has a lot of work to do. And that includes improving his defense and being a bigger impact player on offense outside of his shooting. C.J. Watson has clearly cemented himself as the backup point guard. Napier though will push for playing time. Scott Skiles may still find some room for him.
Napier has to continue showing what he can do both in practice and in games. When his opportunities come he has to take advantage of them to make this roster.
So far, it seems like he has done so. What that means later on once the season starts, his role is yet to be defined.
