Clippers coach Tyronn Lue keeps bringing up the subject and Norman Powell continues not to listen when the conversation turns to the Sixth Man of the Year award. Powell insists he is not after individual accolades and the only hardware he wants to get his hands on is the Larry O’Brien Trophy for winning the NBA championship. “If I’m in the running and I get it, great, but I think the main focus is always trying to help the team win and be the last team standing at the end of the year,” Powell said. “That’s my main focus and whatever accolade you get on the way there, it’s a bonus.”
Norman Powell Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 05/25/93
Height: 6-3 / 1.91
Weight:215 lbs. / 97.5 kg.
Salary: $16,758,621
Born: 05/25/93
Height: 6-3 / 1.91
Weight:215 lbs. / 97.5 kg.
Salary: $16,758,621
Grant is averaging 20.6 points and a career-high 46% from 3. The Trail Blazers are 5-2 when the forward scores 20-plus points this season. He is eligible to sign a four-year, $112.7 million extension starting on Jan. 7. And remember the Robert Covington and Norman Powell trade to the LA Clippers that was perceived as a salary dump? That trade added depth with the inclusion of the versatile Justise Winslow. More importantly, it allowed Portland to sign Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic, Gary Payton II and still stay below the luxury tax. Six months later, Portland finds itself with a 9-3 record and a top-10 defense.
Law Murray: Tyronn Lue will bring Norman Powell off bench today.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue entered the locker room intent on getting through to him. But instead of taking him aside at his locker, Lue delivered what was intended as a vote of confidence in Powell in front of the entire team. “He came in at halftime and told me, next time I put my head down on a missed shot, he’s taking me out the game,” Powell said. “So he’s pretty confident in my abilities and weathering the storm and waiting for that one game where everything starts dropping.” When that game comes, “it’s gonna be an avalanche,” Powell added. “Just be ready for it.”
“I think I’ve just got to relax a little bit and kind of let the game come to me and make the plays that are in front of me, not just for myself but for the team,” Powell said. “I’ll go back, continue to watch film, continue to find ways where I can be better not just scoring the ball but offensively, defensively, moving the ball, playing for others and continue just to grind. “It’s what I’m about, it’s an obstacle and I’m going to figure it out, sooner or later.”
Mike Trudell: Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac will start for the Clippers. Ty Lue said Kawhi Leonard will come off the bench in part to ensure he’s available to close the game, while still limiting his minutes. Said it’s the way Kawhi “felt the best.”
