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Trail Blazers Review: Shabazz Napier’s Top Performances

By Steven Dewald

Feb 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Shabazz Napier (13) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Pablo Prigioni (9) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Shabazz Napier (13) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Pablo Prigioni (9) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trail Blazers Review: RCP takes a quick look at some of Shabazz Napier’s best games from the the 2015-16 season.

Before training camp gets underway, RCP wants to provide a look back at some of the better performances that the current Trail Blazers players had from the 2015-16 season. This isn’t our full preseason breakdown, but rather a primer to help people understand what each guy is capable of. We will be working through the entire roster over the next week, so make sure you check back to get the scoop on some of your favorite players.

Shabazz Napier – PG

2015-16 Stats: 3.7 PPG / 1.8 APG / .327 3P% / .338 FG%

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Napier will suit up with his third team in as many years when he hits the court with the Trail Blazers this season. Neil Olshey (Trail Blazers GM) swapped cash considerations with the Magic to acquire the shifty reserve guard. Napier’s career hasn’t exactly gone according to plan, especially when you consider how successful he was in college. He will now get a chance to prove he can fill an important role, and hopefully stick with an NBA franchise for longer than one season.

His sample size is small from last season, as he appeared in only 55 games while in Orlando. Despite his limited action, he was still able to put together a couple quality performances.

11/11/15 – Lakers at Magic

Napier – 22 PTS / 3 AST / 5-9 3PT

After Victor Oladipo went down with an early injury, it was up to Napier to pick up the slack off of the bench. In his season high 30 minutes of playing time – he was able to lead the Magic to victory over the Lakers with some late game heroics.

The victory proved fairly meaningless at the end of the year, but Napier was able to display his value as a solid insurance policy incase of an injury.

Nov 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic (now with the Trail Blazers) guard Shabazz Napier (13). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic (now with the Trail Blazers) guard Shabazz Napier (13). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

11/23/15 – Magic at Cavaliers 

Napier – 11 PTS / 9 AST

The Magic managed to hang tough with the eventual champs for the first half, but the wheels came off in the second half. With the game out of hand, Orlando turned to their reserves to close out the game. Napier was able to put up a near double double, and committed zero turnovers in the process.

Ball control will be key for Napier in Portland. Making silly mistakes off of the bench will likely lead to an early hook from Terry Stotts.

Next: Don't Underestimate Mason Plumlee

As we said earlier, there wasn’t a lot to choose from when trying to find stand-out games from the newly acquired point guard. On the plus side though, Napier did show he is capable of playing at a high level when called upon. It will now be up to him to prove he can do it consistently.