Dwyane Wade Wants Heat To Play Shabazz Napier This Season
By Sam Richmond
Shabazz Napier has a supporter in Dwyane Wade.
Miami Heat rookie point guard Shabazz Napier has impressed with his play during his first preseason. In the Heat’s past two games, Napier has posted a combined 28 points and 11 assists, respectable numbers for a reserve guard.
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Still, with Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole projected to be Miami’s top two point guards this season, there are questions about just how much Napier will play this season.
Well, if were up to Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade, Miami would find room for Napier.
From Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel:
"“When he’s on the court,” Wade said, “good things happens so far. He makes plays for other guys and he brings a good energy and a good leader.“No one knows what everything is going to shake out to be, but the kid can play and the kid can lead. So when you’ve got a guy who can do that, you’ve got to find some time for him somewhere.”"
It’s not just Wade that is supporting the Connecticut product. The Heat’s other star, Chris Bosh, also spoke very highly of Napier.
"“He’s doing well, just the fact that he’s seeing things before they happen,” center Chris Bosh said. “He’s been doing a decent job of running the offense. It’s good. That’s a product of being in college for four years. I can’t speak to that. I know nothing about that. You can tell that he was very well coached and his transition is going all right so far.”"
Napier is certainly making a strong push for minutes and one has to figure he’ll get a chance to prove himself during the regular season if he keeps this up.
Napier was the No. 24 overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.
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