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NBA: Second-Year Players Showing Signs of Progress

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 5, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dribbles up the court during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dribbles up the court during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Minnesota won 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Minnesota won 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Shabazz Muhammad, Minnesota Timberwolves

Drafted: Round 1, No. 14

Position: Small Forward

Age: 22

2014-15 Slash Line: .516/.364/.681

2014-15 Season Averages: 20.76 PER, 17.4 MPG, 11.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG

This isn’t a Minnesota Timberwolves bias. They just happen to have three of the better players from the 2013 NBA Draft.

After a rookie season marred by injuries and inconsistent playing time, Shabazz Muhammad is coming into his own in 2014-15. With both Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin out due to injuries, Muhammad has stepped up as a scoring threat off of the bench.

While his all-around game is still coming along slowly, the 22-year-old is proving that he can be a high-quality scorer in the NBA.

The former UCLA Bruins star has tallied at least 18 points in four of his past six games, as well as 20-plus in three of those outings. He’s scored in double-figures in 10 of his first 20 appearances and nine of his past 15.

Muhammad eclipsed 10 points in just four outings in all of 2013-14.

Through roughly a month of basketball, he’s already exceeded his rookie-season contributions. He still has something to prove beyond his scoring ability, but Muhammad is playing an efficient brand of basketball.

So long as his shot continues to fall, playing time should be available. He’s thriving in a sixth man role, which is tailor-made for his ability to step onto the court and put up points in a hurry.

Muhammad has gone a long way towards silencing his critics.

Next: Living Up To The Hype