Powell embraces leading second unit
More will be asked of Norm Powell this season than ever before, more opportunity and more responsibility for the veteran Raptors guard.
He goes into the season as the undisputed leader of the team’s second unit, its go-to scorer and offensive initiator. It’s a role the 27-year-old welcomes.
“Obviously I see myself taking a step in production and things like that, doing what the team needs me to do,” he said this week. “I think that’s the biggest challenge for me this year, is how do I get the new guys coming in to have that chemistry so we can make an impact and sustain that high level of play and competitiveness, and keep playing Raptors basketball.
“And that’s my job to make sure that everybody’s doing that.”
Powell split significant second-unit leadership duties last season with Serge Ibaka, who is now plying his trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. It remains to be seen which members of the team take big steps to join Powell on a powerful second group but the six-foot-seven, five-year veteran is going to be No.
1 regardless.
“I see myself being even more of a leader in that second unit,”
Powell said. “Me and Serge did a great job of leading that unit, bringing that energy when we needed to. When guys (were out), whatever happened, injuries, foul trouble, whatever it was during the season, we were able to step in and fill that role and make sure there was no drop-off when that unit came in.”
Powell had his most productive season last year, despite missing nearly 20 games with a variety of injuries. He averaged career highs in points (16.0), rebounds (3.7) and assists (1.8) but, more importantly, there was a consistency and a calmness to his play that was vital. Early in his career, Powell had a tendency to play too fast, to do too much while trying to take over games instead of reacting to them.
“My initial thoughts … Norm needs to make an uptick in what he's doing,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “I think he's cut down a lot on some of his weaknesses, they are disappearing. I think his open-floor offence has been fantastic, his willingness to work and accomplish what we are trying to do on the defensive end continues to increase, which is a great sign.
“I'm continuing to explore ways for him to continue taking that scoring number up, and that starts with doing things better at the defensive end so he can be on the floor more minutes, and then just giving him a little more freedom or more play calls to get the ball in his hands and let him go to work a little more.”
The coming season may also mark a key point in the career trajectory of the San Diego native and Las Vegas resident.
Powell has the option to become a free agent at season’s end and there’s every reason to think he will strike out into the marketplace, looking to substantially increase his salary of just more than $10 million on a lucrative long-term deal.
Whether that’s with the Raptors, who are hoarding money to spend in the summer of 2021, or elsewhere remains unclear but Powell can do himself a great financial favour with a stellar season.
Powell has never lacked confidence and has always prided himself on his
work ethic and preparation. He said he was able to identify areas of the game where he could have a greater impact while he was watching through injuryinduced absences last season.
He seems destined to be surrounded by newcomers and younger players this year. “This year the team looks a little different, there’s going to be more opportunity for me,” he said. “I know that guys are going to rely on me a little bit more. So I’m excited for what the upcoming season is going to bring.
“It’s going to be a little different. We’re going to face new obstacles and adversities with everything going on, all the protocols and things like that. (I will be) working on that and working on the areas I can improve my game while still trying to stay consistent in the areas that I’ve built on throughout my career.”