Heat guard Norman Powell has been arguably the team’s best offensive player through one week. (Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
One of the Miami Heat’s biggest takeaways after five games is not only their new up-tempo style, but how quickly they have jelled through the first five games of the season.
Acquired in July in a three-team trade, guard Norman Powell has been an essential part of their surge. You could go a step further in saying he’s been their best offensive player, even though he’s missed the last two games with a groin strain.
During an appearance on Prime Video this week, Powell, 32, still isn’t considering himself as a player who’s respected enough against his peers across the league.
“I think so,” he said when asked if he thought he was underrated. “I think the roles that I’ve had the players that I’ve played with, you’re on championship teams and they have already built their franchise player. So now you’re coming in to help them win. So the promotion is on those guys and things you’re doing kind of flies under the radar, even though you’re having a great season and you’re having great games.
“I could have 20 (points) and eight (rebounds), but you’re with [James Harden], [Russell Westbrook], and [Kawhi Leonard] and [Paul George]. And no matter how good your games are, they’re promoting them, so you’re kind of flying under the radar. But I think the last 2-3 years, I’ve been able to have my opportunity and it’s shown.”
Norman Powell’s presence changes complexion of Heat offense:
In three games, Powell’s averaging 24.0 points on 47.7 percent shooting and 50.0 percent from 3-point range, in addition to 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals.
It’s safe to say he’s been a breath of fresh air for an offense missing one of their best scorers in Tyler Herro, an All-Star last year. So far, the 6-foot-4 guard has changed the calculus of how teams have been able to defend the Heat in the halfcourt and in transition.
Whether it’s flying off pin-downs or spotting up in transition, everything Powell’s done has come within the flow of the offense. He takes what the defense gives him and attracts plenty of gravity, which can be leveraged in myriad ways.
Miami missed him in the second half of Thursday’s six-point loss in San Antonio and will have another challenging back-to-back against the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, respectively, beginning on Sunday.
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