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Blazers 2016-17 Season Review: Shabazz Napier

By Isaiah De los Santos

Feb 28, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6) points down the court during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6) points down the court during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6) passes the ball on San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the first half of the game at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6) passes the ball on San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the first half of the game at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

The former UConn guard found himself on his third team in as many years this season. With the Blazers, though, Napier finally has a stable situation to grow.

One of the under-the-radar moments of the Blazers’ season came in Orlando, from, of all people, Shabazz Napier.

Damian Lillard picked up three early fouls, and Napier saw rare playing time in the first half.

Then, Napier spoke up in a huddle as the Blazers were looking at an inexcusable loss to the Magic.

"“He came into one of the huddles and he said, ‘If we want to win … are we going to play hard?'” Blazers captain Damian Lillard said. “He kind of challenged our team, and this is before he even checked in in the second half.”"

An ultra-small lineup of Lillard, Napier and C.J. McCollum swung the game for Portland as they completed a comeback win.

Napier had 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists on the night as he defeated one of his former teams.

Feb 28, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6) points down the court during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6) points down the court during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

This was the season-highlight for Napier, and maybe a glimpse of what the guard can do in extended time.

He averaged 4.1 PPG, 1.3 APG and 1.2 RPG this season in 9.7 minutes per game—the lowest minutes of his career.

But when the Blazers rested their star backcourt down the stretch, Napier shined.

In 36+ minutes against the Spurs he had 32 points, five assists and six rebounds; in 25+ minutes against the Pelicans, he had 25 points, two assists and four rebounds.

Likewise, Napier’s per 36 minutes averages were 15.3 PPG, 4.7 APG and 4.3 RPG.

He provides a viable fallback should Lillard or McCollum ever go down for an extended time. The same can’t be said for other positions — see failed subs for Jusuf Nurkić in the playoffs.

It’s a great sign that even in the lowest minutes of his career, Napier was still ready to contribute.

If the Blazers move some pieces this summer, he very well could see a minutes increase. His size is a drawback, yet his 2.3 steals per game (per 36 minutes) shows he makes up for it with a heightened defensive IQ.

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