Shabazz Napier on his current form: 'I'm just shitty right now' / News - Basketnews.com

Napier said that everybody is pissed off after the second loss to Partizan in five days and described his recent form as shitty. The star guard named belief in every single player on the roster as the biggest difference between Ioannis Sfairopoulos and Dusko Ivanovic.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade lost twice against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in five days. After the last game in the ABA League on Monday, Shabazz Napier was critical of himself and tried to explain the recent struggles.

Shabazz Napier

Team:Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet BelgradePosition:PGAge:32Height:185 cmWeight:82 kgBirth place:Boston, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Even though his post-game stats looked good - 23 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists for 20 PIR - he struggled mightily during some moments of the game. Talking with media post-game, the 32-year-old guard did not mince his words about his performance.

"We were right there. We had a great run in the third quarter, we just kept playing. It was a tough one for us, missing shots. Especially individually, I'm really shitty right now," he said. "I'm trying to help the team, [but] I have to figure out why I'm shooting so bad. Eventually, I'm going to figure it out."

Although Napier scored 23 points, he made just 2 three-pointers in 10 attempts, committed four turnovers, and received three blocks. He scored 11 of his 23 points in the last four minutes of the game when Crvena Zvezda was trying to come back but ultimately did not manage to.

"This is a new team for me. [I have to] just figure out when to be aggressive and when not to be aggressive, figure out the rhythm," he explained. "Obviously, new plays, new team, new coach, I'm just trying to figure out how I can be the most effective for the team. Right now, it's a struggle for me. It's unfortunate.

Obviously, I'm trying my best, I'm not purposefully missing shots," he continued. "If I'm not making shots, I have to find guys. I'm going to figure it out, that's one thing about me. It sucks being in it, but eventually I'm going to figure it out, and we're going to be a different team."

This was the third game for Crvena Zvezda under the new head coach, Ioannis Sfairopoulos. So far, the team has won only one game against FMP SoccerBet Belgrade on October 23rd.

Shabazz Napier

MIN:22.8PTS:14.8 (48.1%)REB:1.8As:2.6ST:1.8BL:0TO:3.2GM:5ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Talking about the coaching change, Napier said that the biggest difference between the former team's coach, Dusko Ivanovic, and Sfairopoulos is the belief in every single player on the roster.

"The biggest difference is that he gives a spark to every single player in a positive way. Whether it's the first guy or the last guy, he believes in them. Dusko did too, but it's more verbal with this coach," Napier said about Sfairopoulos.

"He honestly believes, like we all do, that everybody is important. That's one of the first things he sold us the very first time he met us," the player said. "He just mentioned that everybody is important on this team, everybody is important for us to win games. That's one of the biggest things I've learned so far from the difference between them."

Talking about the future, Napier was certain that the team would figure everything out and come out in better form. The recent coaching change is part of the entire process of each player figuring out his part in the broader scheme.

"It's unfortunate for us, we don't want to lose. We just have to figure out the rhythm. Everybody is trying to figure out how they can be the most effective for the team. We had spurts when we looked great, and then we just had runs when we looked bad - offensively, defensively, rotations," he said. "It's tough because everybody is trying to fight. We're going to figure it out. Every single person here works hard. It sucks being in it. We are all f***ing pissed off right now."

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