Miami Heat guard Norman Powell was a recent guest on the "Ball in the Family" podcast and revealed himself to be better than other players around the league.
The Miami Heat's season has taken a toll lately, losing five consecutive games, with the offense not producing as efficiently as before. However, Norman Powell remains on pace to have another All-Star caliber season, but could officially be named one this time. The veteran guard is averaging 24.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 49.3 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three-point range in 21 appearances thus far.
Despite the team's recent struggles, the 32-year-old is surpassing last year's numbers, which were new career highs. It's impressive for a player to take this sort of leap at a later juncture in their career. Granted, it's no LeBron James longevity, but still worth applauding.
Powell has taken more of a leadership role with the Heat, but leaves an impact on and off the court. He recently appeared on the "Ball in the Family" podcast, hosted by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lonzo Ball and his younger brother, LiAngelo.
Late in the episode, the 11th-year guard was asked to "make a noise" when another player's name came up, who was better than him, to his belief.
Longtime friend of the Ball family and co-host Darren Moore mentioned Minnesota Timberwolves Donte DiVincenzo, New Orleans Pelicans Jordan Poole, Los Angeles Lakers Austin Reaves, Boston Celtics Derrick White, New York Knicks Josh Hart, and Los Angeles Clippers Bradley Beal, but the room was silent.
It wasn't until Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard was brought up that Powell finally spoke.
"When you think about 'better', it depends on what you're looking at," he said. "For me, being a student of the game, everybody you name is good at something. I feel like I've got a little bit of everything. Josh Hart is a great energy rebounding guy; he'll cause havoc on the boards, getting your team max possessions. Reaves is a great offensive talent, getting the opportunity this year to showcase what he can do. DiVincenzo, I feel like he is a catch-and-shoot guy, energy guy. I feel like myself, I'm all around. You can have me anywhere, everywhere, and I'll still be able to produce and play well."
With the exception of Beal undergoing season-ending surgery, Powell averages more points than nearly everyone mentioned, except for Reaves, 27.8, thus far. The former Toronto Raptors champion is receiving great recognition around the league, and rightfully so. Another second-round pick success story with more to be written.
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