Pistons Palace NBA mock draft post lottery
By Joe Dexter
28. Los Angeles Clippers
Shabazz Napier, PG, Connecticut
Apr 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) celebrate after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 in the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of closers in late games, it doesn’t get much better than Shabazz Napier. There wasn’t a player that took more advantage of the center stage this season in the NCAA tournament than Napier. Every game UCONN played in, he was the center of attention.
The Clippers need a point guard to back up Chris Paul, and Napier fits the bill for style of play. Can you imagine Napier on the floor with Jamal Crawford at the same time. Both have a knack of driving defenses crazy and their teammates as well for holding onto the basketball way too much.
Napier has done a good job of improving on that front and would be able to continue improving as a distributor under the tutelage of Chris Paul. It doesn’t get better than that.
Unlike a lot of prospects, Napier is an experienced guard that has already played with NBA talents. The All-American is considered as a fringe prospect though. With the right fit, he could really fill a role as a defensive pest and an offensive heat check player.
Considering the lack of depth at power forward for the Clippers, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a big man either at this pick.