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<\/p>\nNorman Powell, the San Diego-born shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, originally wanted to be a lawyer. The youngest of three children, he was raised by a single mother with his two older sisters. He discovered his interest in criminal law through watching Law and Order with his mom. \u201cShe always told me that I had great debate skills\u2014that I was good at arguing until I got my point across and convincing people,\u201d he says smiling. \u201cI don’t know if it’s the Gemini in me being able to be great at communication.\u201d<\/p>\n
Powell is coming off one of his most impactful years in the NBA, stepping up in the face of injuries and averaging a career high in points. He started in every game he played this season. Unfortunately, the Clippers\u2019 playoff run ended earlier than they would have hoped. I caught up with Powell just before the final playoff push on a recent trip to New York that saw the Clippers battle and defeat both the Nets and Knicks. We discussed how he first found the game of basketball, his determination to play in the NBA from a young age, and how style in the NBA impacts life both on and off the court.<\/p>\n
Fit OneOpen Gallery<\/p>\n
When did you first start playing basketball?<\/p>\n
My uncle got me started in basketball; that’s where I found my passion and love for the game. I wanted to make it to the NBA and have a long career. I went to Lincoln High School and won the state championship in my junior year. Graduated from UCLA, stayed all four years and won the Pac-12 championship. Unfortunately no NCAA, but made the Sweet 16 back-to-back years. Got drafted by Milwaukee and traded to Toronto that night. I stayed in Toronto for five-and-a-half years, won the championship. Got traded to Portland, then traded to the Clippers. And now I’m here.<\/p>\n
Was there a moment when you realized that you could go pro?<\/p>\n
Honestly, I don’t think there was a specific moment. I just always had a firm belief since I was in high school that I was going to make it to the NBA and I was going to be a household name there. I always tell this story from high school. I was at lunch and with my best friend and he said, “Oh, you think you can make it to the NBA?” I said, “Yeah, I do.” He said, “I think you can make it to the NBA and be at the end of somebody’s bench making a lot of money.” I turned to him. I was like, “I’m not going to be on nobody’s bench. I’m going to be in there like Kobe. I’m going to be in there getting buckets.” Over the course of my career, there was a lot of uncertainty, especially being a four-year player thinking you’re going to do one or two years in college and just make it to the NBA. I just had a belief that it was going to happen.<\/p>\n
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You’re having arguably one of your best years this season. Is there anything you did differently this off-season or during the season?<\/p>\n
In the off-season, I really focused on the mental side of the game. Over the course of my career and my life, I\u2019ve committed to what my goal is and what it’s going to take to get there. So, the physical work was the same, but the mental side of it changed\u2014knowing that I was going to step into a bigger role with the guys that were leaving and the team needing somebody to fill that void. I’ve been in lesser roles and had the opportunity to be the guy for a few games. But being a go-to guy on a nightly basis\u2014the ups and downs that come with the good games and bad games, media, a bunch of fans talking about you\u2014I knew it was going to be a lot more eyes on me and my game. Just being able to stay mentally locked in and focused and even-keeled throughout the course of it all was the main focus. I felt like my work and the physical side of it was going to show itself.<\/p>\n
How has it been playing at the Intuit Dome? How’s \u201cThe Wall\u201d?<\/p>\n
Oh man, the Intuit Dome is amazing, especially The Wall. It’d been great all year, but especially now, they know each game is super important with the playoff race. Every game they get better and louder and they give us that energy boost throughout the course of the game. It gets into the opposing teams\u2019 heads a little bit because they’re sitting right there, bench guys coming in and out the game or hearing it when they’re going in that direction. At the free throw line, with all the chants and the signs, everything’s directly in front of you. It’s distracting. I think they’re shooting in the low seventies or something like that on The Wall which is amazing. Just to have our own spot, our own home. You don’t see nobody else’s logos. It\u2019s all Clippers. It’s amazing.<\/p>\n
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When did you first become interested in clothing and style?<\/p>\n
It’s been an evolution and a journey. Growing up, we didn’t have much money. It was Payless, Nordstrom, Ravi, Burlington Coat Factory\u2014whatever my mom could afford. It was never getting too picky or anything like that. But over the years, seeing my friends put their outfits together, you start building ideas like, “Oh, one day when I’m able to afford that and be in nice clothing and put stuff together, I can’t wait for that to happen.” Being in the league, just the way fashion has grown, I’ve gotten more and more into it\u2014especially having my own clothing brand and seeing what’s trending and what people like and don’t like. It’s been a lot of fun. I’m able to show my personality a little bit more away from basketball. There’s a little bit more to me than just dribbling up and down the court. But the evolution started when I got to the league and was able to afford nice things and different outfits. <\/p>\n
I didn’t know you have a brand. Tell me about it.<\/p>\n
Understand the Grind is my brand. It’s really a lifestyle mantra, but it’s all about motivating people to go after their own dreams and goals no matter where they’re from or the obstacles that are in front of them. There are a lot of workout clothes for men and women\u2014athleisure wear, casual wear, streetwear\u2014but it’s all a motivational message that comes with it. So, it’s been fun trying to grow it from just T-shirts with graphics to make it a little bit more fashionable and stylish where you can dress it up. That has been a passion project for me because my foundation is also called Understand the Grind, and it’s all about giving back to the youth and the next generation and motivating them to go after their dreams.<\/p>\n
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Does style play a role in the NBA?<\/p>\n
Style plays a huge role in the NBA. A few years ago, I remember when I was in Toronto with Serge Ibaka…<\/p>\n
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