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Shabazz Napier earned his place through preseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Oct 23, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Shabazz Napier (13) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) defends during the second half at Amway Center. The Magic won 86-76. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Shabazz Napier (13) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) defends during the second half at Amway Center. The Magic won 86-76. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shabazz Napier has a reputation to uphold from his college days. The minutes have been hard to find, but Napier has proven there is a place for him.

Shabazz Napier’s reputation proceeds him. It has done so throughout his short NBA career. Ever since LeBron James seemingly handpicked him for the Miami Heat’s draft pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Napier earned that reputation with some incredibly stellar play at Connecticut, where he was a contributor for two national championships. His junior and senior seasons were great college seasons — he averaged 18.0 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game and 4.9 assists per game.

There were still some big questions about Napier and what he could provide in the NBA. Being cast in LeBron James’ shadow was not a great way for him to start his career. It certainly amped the expectation for him.

Napier was sort of cast as the college star with the uncertain NBA future and his rookie season did little to answer many of the questions. Some new scenery has helped though.

And even early on this season, Napier has shown glimpses of what he can be and found something of a place with the Magic.

“Shabazz has been very good,” Magic coach Scott Skiles said near the end of the preseason. “He had a good camp. He has come on lately, he has been better. I think he is getting a little more of a comfort level with what we want to do. That is helping him play better. He has been impressive.”

With all the injuries the Magic had, Napier was pressed into action throughout the preseason. He averaged 11.0 points per game and shot 50.0 percent from the floor in 18.4 minutes per game. It was just preseason, but it suggested Napier could be a bigger pat of the team than initially suggested.

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    • In the Magic’s first four games, playing time has been scarce for Napier — 18 minutes in three games so far — but Napier has played better than expected. He played the end of Sunday’s game against the Bulls and put in some solid minutes, making a big bucket to bring the Magic within one point on his way to seven points on 2-for-5 shooting.

    Efficiency and running a team well is still something Napier has to learn. In just a few games though, Napier proved he deserves at least closer consideration.

    It was a question before this week’s deadline whether the Magic would pick up the third-year team option on his contract. They took care of that well before the season began, clearly seeing enough from him through the preseason to give him an extended look this season and through next season.

    All that seems far into the future, but Napier has his work cut out for him to remain in the league nonetheless. He said he was not worried about his team option or his future in the league, he just simply had to do his job and let things happen as they may.

    “I just played basketball,” Napier said before Friday’s game against the Thunder. “I allowed everything else that I can’t control to let it happen. I control what I can, basically what you kind of do in life. I came in every single day and kept working and working.”

    That work has paid off in many respects. Napier has not forced his way onto the floor yet. Scott Skiles opted to try him out as the backup point guard in Sunday’s game and his energy in the fourth quarter helped build the team’s comeback.

    But Napier returned to spot duty Tuesday, playing only 30 seconds. This may be Napier’s season, at least with everyone healthy. Napier could very well play more against the Rockets considering C.J. Watson had five stitches administered to his lip after taking a fourth-quarter charge against the Pelicans.

    That has been a regular part of Napier’s NBA career having rode the bench for much of the season last year in Miami.

    When Napier is needed though, he said he would be ready. Former Heat teammate Udonis Haslem taught him, Napier said, to be prepared no matter what.

    Judging by what Napier did in the preseason and in his brief appearances early on this season, Napier should be ready to go.

    He still has a ways to go to reach consistency — getting an opportunity among them. He said he believed he showed he can continue to run a team, knock down shots, space the floor and move the ball quickly. All those will be valuable within the Magic’s offense. He should continue to get spot minutes.

    And when that opportunity comes, it seems Napier will be ready to step in and support. He has proven already to be an asset for the magic. It is about figuring out when and where to use him.