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Orlando Magic Mid-Season Player Grades

By Brett David Roberts

iMar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) shoots in between Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the third quarter at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
iMar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) shoots in between Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the third quarter at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shabazz Napier, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans
Dec 28, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Shabazz Napier (13) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard Toney Douglas (16) and forward Alonzo Gee during the fourth quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic won 104-89. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

D. <p><strong>Offensive Rating:</strong>  60.6<br /> <strong>Defensive Rating:</strong>  63.8</p>. PG. Orlando Magic. SHABAZZ NAPIER

Shabazz Napier at times has been a very pleasant surprise, especially considering he did come at the cost of a highly protected second round pick that likely never will be sent out.

But overall, Napier has struggled to cover bigger point guards, and he finds himself often mismatched at his own position. Truly, Napier is the “mouse in the house” on defense, and he sets Orlando back defensively.

It is a shame because at his very best Napier is a quality backup, capable of igniting runs and hitting big shots. He is also fearless.

But something seems to indicate Napier has had the best chance he will at getting bigger minutes. He is shooting just 33 percent from the field and 30 percent from three. In other words, when Elfrid Payton is taken out for not being a shooter, Napier comes in with equal futility.

Next: 5 Players Orlando Could Pursue in Trades

Despite being billed as a shooter coming out of UConn, he has not established himself in the NBA as a gunner, which is probably the best-case scenario for him. Napier is capable of putting the ball in the bucket, but when a shooter is missing shots, his value declines precipitously.