4 Takeaways from the Washington Wizards 119-118 win over the Dallas Mavericks
By Ethan Smith
Shabazz Napier is an upgrade
After the Washington Wizards traded Jordan McRae for Shabazz Napier, I gave the trade a C+, calling it “meh”. One day later, I’m ready to admit stupidity and give it an A+. Shabazz Napier looked absolutely great in his first game with the Wizards.
After just arriving in Washington the day before, Napier got a lot of run in his first game as a Wizard. And he deserved it. Despite being so new, Napier looked comfortable operating the offense. He was even directing traffic out there at times, seemingly knowing the plays better than his teammates.
During the last sequence, Shabazz Napier was pointing to where he needed his teammate to go.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) February 8, 2020
Napier got the team's video playbook yesterday.
Napier finished his first Wizards games with 14 points, three assists, three rebounds, and two steals. He shot 50 percent from the field, and even better from three, where he went 4-for-6.
In one game, Napier proved he can do more for this team than Isaiah Thomas could. Napier was quicker. He was more aggressive. He actually defended(!!). And it was just game one. If the Wizards are serious about this playoff push, Napier – along with Ish Smith – might just be the point guard pair to get them there.
If you want a real indicator at just how effective Napier was in his first game with the Wizards, just look at Gary Payton II’s minutes from the win over Dallas. He had zero. It’s the first time Payton didn’t log a single minute since joining the team back in late December.