David Aldridge at The Athletic chronicles Norman Powell’s rise to possible NBA All-Star consideration with the LA Clippers. After years playing behind other stars, the former Portland Trail Blazer has been given the chance to shine without Paul George or the injured Kawhi Leonard. He’s helped the Clippers maintain relevance, currently sixth in the Western Conference with a 13-9 record. Aldridge notes the rarity of Powell’s All-Star possibility.
Almost everyone who makes an All-Star team does so early in their career, most in their 20s. It would be an incredible turn of fortune for a player who worked out for 17 teams before the 2015 draft, and expected to go late in the first round, only to fall to the second round and the 46th pick — and who’s been grinding ever since — to do so this late in his career.