Stormin’ Norman.
NormGod.
However you refer to him, Norman Powell has become a breath of fresh air for the 2019 defending NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. Powell was originally signed by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015 before being traded to Toronto for Greivis Vasquez (I had to Google the name).
Early Days
Throughout his rookie year, Powell would play for Toronto’s D-League affiliate (Raptors 905). He only averaged a measly 24.9 ppg over 8 games played. Powell was called up early into the 2015-16 season due to the injuries of Terrence Ross (presently on the Orlando Magic) and DeMarre Carroll (presently on the Brooklyn Nets).
During the 2015-16 season, Powell would appear in 49 games (starting 24 of those) and averaged 5.6 PPG. The 2016-17 season wasn’t much better. Powell averaged 8.4 PPG while coming off the bench at 18 minutes per game.
Then, something spectacular occurred on April 24. The Raptors matched up with the Bucks during the first round of the playoffs. Powell went off. And I mean, He can’t be stopped– OFF. During Game 5 Powell came alive and dropped 25 in a 118-93 Raptors win. This gave the Raps a 3-2 series lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. This playoff outburst from Powell resulted in the Raptors offering Powell a four-year, $42 million dollar extension during the off-season. Powell quickly accepted.
Norman Powell Post Extention
The 2017 offseason for the Raptors included a heavy dose of optimism and excitement surrounding the appearance of Powell. It was widely accepted that he was the deciding factor (and possible catalyst) for the Raptors/Bucks heated rivalry in the previous season’s playoffs.
Unfortunately, much of the hype fell flat throughout the 2017-18 season. Powell averaged 5.5 PPG, with only occasional flashes of brilliance. This subpar performance would continue into the 2018 playoffs where Powell would average 2 PPG. The Raptors’ hopes would be dashed by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 4-game sweep. Nonetheless, the Raptors faithful continued to back Powell. They hoped that once again they would see him soar through the air for a monstrous slam dunk.
Derailed By Injury
The 2018-19 Toronto Raptors were a spectacular team. They would win their first NBA title and dismantle one of the league’s most prominent dynasties. And Powell would have a key part to play in that story. Powell did make improvements during the beginning of the season. Then he went down with a shoulder injury in November during a west coast trip to Utah. Powell would go on to miss 20 games. When he returned in late January, he seemed to be missing the spark that had been part of his early-season success.
This lack of production from Powell continued to haunt him well into the playoffs. He averaged 6.5 PPG and an overall +/- of +9. After creating history with a stunning win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Raptors were soon 0-2 against the top team in the NBA, their rival the Milwaukee Bucks. This is where Powell once again came alive by averaging 12 PPG and an overall +/- of +27.
The Raptors would go on to perform a reverse sweep of the Bucks. Then they went on to dethrone the defending Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Powell didn’t reproduce his scoring spree from the previous series. That said he was an important presence on the floor and he had an overall +/- of +32.
Stormin’
The current season is one where the Raptors were looked over and brushed aside with the exits of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. The Raptors are supposed to be bad and struggling to find their identity…and yet they’re 18-8. They are presenting a roster that is being led by burgeoning superstars Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet.
Throughout all the hype surrounding the Raptors’ young core, there is one individual who is making his own case for Most Improved Player. (Guess who?) If you guessed Norman Powell, you’re correct! Powell is averaging 14.1 PPG (+/- of +17) and averaging 18.3 PPG (+/- of +25) in games when he’s started.
Powell continued his streak of domination by putting up 25 points against the lowly Cavaliers. During that game, he also treated the fans at Scotiabank Arena by rising up high to catch an alley-oop from Siakam. He threw it down so hard that Kevin Love and Collin Sexton were powerless to do anything but watch.
Consistency
Powell is consistently coming in night after night and performing to the utmost of his ability. He has turned into a release valve for the team. The Raptors can go to him when they need a quick bucket or scoring outburst. One can only speculate why Powell has suddenly become such a force on the Raptors. Powell himself states, “Whatever decision they make, I’m going to go out there and put my best foot forward. Whether I’m coming off the bench or starting, it doesn’t matter to me as long as we’re winning. I’ve always been like that and that’s not gonna change.”
As any self-respecting Raptors fan would do, I’m holding my breath. I’m expecting a heart-wrenching relapse, all the while hoping it never occurs. Regardless of what happens, basking in the glow of Nuclear Norm is something I greatly enjoy.
Follow me on Twitter @Swainger_Danger.
Check out other articles by the Belly Up Hoops team and the rest of the Belly Up team.
