According to Damian Lillard, Shabazz Napier should be in discussion for most improved player this season.
Shabazz Napier has never been given a chance to reach his potential in the NBA.
He was drafted by the Miami Heat on LeBron James’ orders, only to have him leave. In one South Beach season, Napier played 51 games and averaged just 5.1 points in 20 minutes.
Then, the sophomore guard was cash dumped to Orlando. He played 11 minutes per game for 55 games there, scoring 3.7 points per night.
And for the second time in his first two seasons, Shabazz Napier was traded – this time to Portland.
Like the previous two campaigns, he failed to get consistent playing time. Terry Stotts’ staggered rotation that keeps either Damian Lillard or CJ McCollum on the court at all times limited Napier to under ten minutes per contest.
Shabazz Napier gets his chance
With more reserve backcourt availability after the Allen Crabbe trade, Napier made his mark with the Blazers. He barely played through October this year, but started picking up a consistent 15-20 minutes each night.
The minute-inflow continued for Shabazz thanks to his defensive presence. The Blazers are notoriously weak in guard defense, but Napier getting more time and both Lillard and McCollum focusing on defense has shifted this.
Thanks to the backcourt (among other players), Portland touts the 9th best defensive rating in the league at 104.5.
Case for Most Improved Player
None other than Damian Lillard suggested Shabazz Napier’s eligibility for Most Improved Player.
Bazz Napier, kris Dunn, Oladipo, dinwiddie https://t.co/PxTofbjDfv
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) January 22, 2018
In two minutes more floor time than his rookie season, Napier has nearly doubled his scoring and steal averages. He’s shooting 10% better from the field and knocking down three-pointers at a 44% clip.
The increase in time from last year with Portland has shown on the stat sheet as well.
2016-2017: 4.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 3PM, 39.9% FG
2017-2018: 10.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 3PM, 48% FG
Napier stepping up in Dame’s absence in December and January is perhaps his most important case for Most Improved Player.
In games he plays over 30 minutes, the Blazers are 5-3. What’s impressive about the 5-3 record is Lillard sitting out and Portland still beating playoff-caliber teams like the OKC Thunder.
Across those eight matchups, Napier averages 15.3 points, 5 assists and 2.1 steals. The team scores 106 points per game with Napier playing over 30 minutes, opposed to the season-wide 104.5 points.
Competition for Most Improved Player
Like Damian Lillard brought up, Napier competes with some massively improved players. Frontrunner for the award is probably Victor Oladipo, who’s scoring 24.2 points per contest and leading the undermanned Pacers to 6th in the East.
Another player making his former team regret trading him is Kris Dunn. The second-year guard is reviving the Chicago Bulls with 13.7 points, 6.4 assists and 2.1 steals in 30 minutes of play.
Next: Predicting Nurkic's return to Denver
Finally, Spencer Dinwiddie has taken advantage of the guard injuries in Brooklyn. He’s up 6 points and 3 assists from his last campaign with the Nets.
If Napier continues to play consistent ball on both sides of the court though, he could be a dark horse for Most Improved Player. This would make him the second Blazer to win the award in the last three years.