Norman Powell’s Efficiency Is An Upgrade For Portland

ThePortland Trail Blazers我们希望在翼上进行交易，以便他们继续推动他们的季后赛。三个字：诺曼，诺曼，诺曼。西装外套在诺曼鲍威尔的贸易截止日期下交易了加里特特伦特Jr.和Rodney罩Toronto Raptors. Trent Jr. still has room to grow, but the Blazers simply were not going to be able to afford his services coming into the off-season. Making the move for Norman Powell was smart.

Norman Powell’s Efficiency

Let’s take a look at the comparison with Trent Jr. At just 22 years old, GT is a great shooter and solid defender. With theBlazersthis season, he averaged 15 points, shooting only 41.4% overall and 39.7 from three on 12.8 shots per game. Where he struggles mightily is converting on two-point baskets, shooting only 43.8% from there with theBlazersthis season. Powell definitely brings a different dynamic to the team in many facets.

At just 27 years old, Powell is a terrific shooter and extremely versatile defender that should really help theBlazersare both ends of the floor. He’s definitely an upgrade over GT. With theRaptorsthis season, he averaged 19.6 points on 49.8% shooting overall and 43.9% from three. He also shot 55.2% from two-point range. Powell did this with only taking 13.5 shots per game. He brings playoffs and championship experience (2019), great perimeter defense, and stupendous efficiency that should relieve pressure from Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. GT was a great part of rotation, but after one game, Powell has shown an upgrade within the depth chart.

Just on March 17, 2021, Powell had just scored acareer-high 43 points against the Pistonson 14-18 shooting, 8-12 from three, and 7-9 from the stripe. Speaking ofstupendousefficiency, that’s amazing for such few shots and scoring that many points. Powell has the 12th highest three-point percentage in the league and is 41st in overall field goal percentage. What’s impressive about being 41st in field goal percentage is that most of the people ahead of him are players that operate primarily in the paint (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson, etc.). He has the ability to become a third star with this team, still being early in his prime.

Welcome to Portland, Norman!

TheBlazersdefeated theOrlando Magic112-105 with the absence of Dame (left knee contusion) and the return of Jusuf Nurkic after being out since January 14. Powell fit right in. He didn’t shy away from showing out, posting 22 points, two steals, and one block on 7-13 shooting, and 5-7 from three. He kept his poise andlet the game come to him. His impact will be vital especially when the playoffs come because he has so much experience and makes winning plays.

Conclusion

I believe theBlazerswon in this trade. They acquired an experienced player in his prime that should take this team to new heights. He should be a long-term fit with the team at the small forward position. He still has one more year on his contact, giving theBlazersflexibility with the future of the team. Once Dame returns, we’ll see the complete team with the new acquisition of Powell and the return of Nurk altogether, pushing for a top seed in the gritty Western Conference.