Norman Powell’s 30-point outing against his former LA Clippers team only proved even more that the Miami Heat pulled off the steal acquisition of the entire offseason.
(Photo via Getty Images)
When the Miami Heat acquired Norman Powell in a three-team trade this past summer, it was pretty clear instantly that Pat Riley pulled off another fleece acquisition.
And that notion has only intensified as Powell is in the midst of another career year in South Beach. He is the Heat’s leading scorer, and has provided an efficient boost offensively that this team has been lacking for a long time. Powell’s leadership both on and off the court has posed as a perfect fit to supplement a Bam Adebayo-Tyler Herro led group.
Not only has Miami’s Powell addition looked brilliant from their end, but it has magnified a clear front office blunder by his former team in the LA Clippers.
The Clippers moved on from the 32-year-old guard before he was due for a new contract extension. Instead, they went in the direction of cheaper roster changes in minimum deals to bring in Bradley Beal and Chris Paul for LA’s backcourt. Beal is already ruled out with a season-ending injury, and averaged a career-worst 8.2 points on just 37% shooting beforehand. Additionally, Paul has received inconsistent bench minutes and is in the midst of a retirement tour.
The Powell trade was a three-team deal involving the Heat, Clippers and Utah Jazz. Miami got their hands on Powell for the price of just Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson— two aging vets who wouldn’t have had clear roles for the Heat heading into this season. The Clippers received John Collins from Utah as part of the deal.
Collins has had struggles of his own for LA, too. The veteran power forward is averaging 11.9 points, his lowest since his rookie year, to go along with a career-low 4.9 rebounds per game. Los Angeles essentially shipped out Powell for a trio of disappointing additions in Collins, Beal and Paul on route to an abysmal 5-16 start this season (13th seed in the Western Conference).
As for Powell? He is thriving with Heat Culture.
Norman Powell is averaging a career-high 25 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists on elite 51/46/88 shooting splits.
He has been a game changing presence for this Heat team. The veteran scorer has an opportunity to become the first 50/40/90 player in franchise history, along with becoming the first 25+ points per game scorer since LeBron James in 2014.
The fit next to Tyler Herro in the backcourt has also looked good so far, although it is still a small sample size.
Miami has the privilege of having two ignitable scorers to get the ball to at any given moment now in Herro and Powell. Opposing teams defense’s used to zero-in on Herro’s scoring ability last year. Now, the Heat have another three-level threat waiting on the other top side of the key. Each of them have that run-and-gun game made to fit seamlessly with coach Erik Spoelstra’s new fast paced offense.
Powell scorched his former Clippers squad with a 30-point performance on 12 of 18 shooting and 60% from 3-point range in the Heat’s previous win. He shared his thoughts on LA’s struggles in the postgame presser:
“I would have never guessed they were gonna be 5-16 and where they’re at right now. That’s something for them to have to deal with and handle. I’m not worried about them anymore.”
— Norman Powell
Powell has found a home in Miami. And he is making a legitimate case for the Heat to give him a longer term commitment for the contract extension that the Clippers’ refused to do.
He is currently on a bargain $20 million deal and set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Powell has put together an All-Star caliber campaign; leading Miami to a dominant 14-7 start in a wide open Eastern Conference.
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