Shabazz Napier finally found success with the Portland Trail Blazers this season after stops with the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic in his early NBA years. The point guard is averaging career highs in points (8.8 per game), 3-point percentage (38.3 percent) and steals (1.1 per game) in the most minutes of his career (20.8 per game).
Napier rose from benchwarmer to one of the key reserves in Portland’s offense this season. Given this step up in play, Zach Lowe of ESPN honored Napier as a “Luke Walton All-Star,” a recurring list that highlights players who have surprisingly stepped up during the season:
Playing alongside at least one of Lillard and McCollum means Napier gets to prey on the opponent’s weakest defender.