In his NBA debut, Norman Powell scored 20 points with five rebounds and three assists for the LA Clippers in an easy victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. on a team that’s expected to contend for years to come, it’s important for rookies like Powell to make their mark early.
Norman Powell impressed with 28 points in his LA Clippers debut. The big man was one of the best free agents this summer and he showed that he is worth every penny.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — When Norman Powell learned he was being moved to the Los Angeles Clippers, he had just received his new furnishings and was still getting situated into his Portland house.
Powell proved in his Los Angeles debut on Sunday that he may be a valuable multi-purpose addition to the Clippers’ championship strategy in the future.
Powell got 28 points and four assists in the Clippers’ 137-113 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks in his debut game with the team. When Powell excelled and shown what he can accomplish while Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are out due to injury, the Clippers are looking forward to what the small forward can provide them next season when both of their stars are well.
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Powell stated after hitting 9-of-16 shots, including four 3-pointers, in 24 minutes off the bench, “I have literally played in every single position on the team.” “The man who was scratching and clawing his way into the rotation.” Playing with Kyle [Lowry] and DeMar [DeRozan], playing alongside Kyle and Kawhi, and playing off of them [in Toronto].
“So I believe I’ll be quite at home here with PG and Kawhi.”
Last Friday, the Clippers (27-28) traded Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, youngster Keon Johnson, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Powell and versatile defensive forward Robert Covington. The Clippers were able to snag Powell, who was averaging 18.7 points for the Blazers this season, since the Blazers were eager to shed payroll and gain roster flexibility.
Powell, 28, inked a five-year, $90-million contract in August of last year.
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, stated, “We never felt it was conceivable for us to obtain a guy like Norm Powell for a club that won’t have salary cap room for a long, long time.” “Getting athletes like Norm, who are under a long-term contract and in their prime, is really difficult.”
“Norm’s talent as a three-level scorer, the fact that he’s such a productive catch-and-shoot player when he’s off the ball,” he continued. “Compliments Kawhi and PG pretty well.”
Leonard is recovering from a ruptured right ACL that he sustained in Game 4 of the Clippers’ second-round series against the Utah Jazz on June 14. It’s unclear if he’ll be back this season. George has been sidelined with a ruptured ulnar collateral ligament in his right shooting elbow since December 22 and will get an MRI on Feb. 24 to assess how his elbow has recovered.
The Clippers will rely on Powell to assist the likes of Marcus Morris Sr. and Reggie Jackson carry the scoring burden until their stars return.
Powell had dinner with Clippers head coach Ty Lue, who described him as a “dynamic scorer.” “3-point shot from mid-range, at the rim. We can do a lot [with Powell].”
Milwaukee head coach Mike Budenholzer agreed with Lue and believes the Clippers have improved.
Budenholzer remarked, “I believe it’s a nice acquisition for them.” “He’s a stout defender. It’s remarkable to perform like that on your first night with the squad.”
Covington, who came off the bench to score 13 points and make three 3-pointers in his Clippers debut, said he expected Portland to trade him but figured he’d wind up in the Eastern Conference. For the time being, Covington is a member of a Clippers defense that has the potential to be exceptional.
“I’m beyond ecstatic,” Covington said of the Powell deal to the Clippers. “It’ll make us dynamic — even more dynamic than we are now — and it’ll be terrifying defensively.”
This is a homecoming for Powell. He is from San Diego, which is two hours south of Los Angeles, and played at UCLA. He also gets to see Leonard and Serge Ibaka again. Powell is hoping to repeat their success in Toronto, where they assisted the Raptors in bringing a championship to Canada during the 2018-19 season.
“I think just the maturity from being able to go through that entire experience, that whole playoff run and winning a championship and just being able to go out there and fight,” Powell said of his development since last playing alongside Leonard. “Like I said, with the Raptors, I’ve been in every circumstance, every position, and I’ve gone through a lot, and I believe it’s all helped me and my game evolve.”
The 76ers traded for the LA Clippers’ Norman Powell, who impressed with 28 points in his debut. Reference: norman powell 76ers.
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