Toronto Raptors: Stock Take, and Norman Powell sets a career-high
![TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 3: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors grabs the rebound against the Miami Heat on December 3, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 3: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors grabs the rebound against the Miami Heat on December 3, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/73605fd7f15de92cbfd61825c8cfade314ff95d51a3a3f11eda25a5674bac967.jpg)
Norman Powell
Imagine that, Norman Powell being the leading player in the stock up column this season. It’s hard to quantify Powell’s value to the Raptors, mostly because of his inconsistencies. Just as he’s hitting his stride, you worry that it’s all going to fall apart.
Recently, that hasn’t been the case, and Powell is progressing nicely, thank the heavens. A career-high 33 points against the Orlando Magic was enough to will the Raptors to victory in the ugliest game you will see for a long time, and that was followed up with decent performances against the Utah Jazz and the Miami Heat.
Powell made the jump to starter when Lowry went down, and it was a little uncertain with how he would fare, but like VanVleet, Powell has done enough to warrant more minutes over the last three games. Whether or not he can sustain it over a longer period of time is anyone’s guess, but the signs are good.
He’s now averaging 37-percent from three on a career-high 4.7 attempts per game, along with a career-high 13.4 points per game. This past week was as good as we’ve seen Powell this season, and hopefully, it’s the Powell we’ll see for the rest of the way.
VERDICT: STOCK UP
Next. Should the Raptors keep Fred VanVleet at any cost?. dark
This was an easy one, Powell stepped up to the big leagues this week and the Raptors still look like one of the best teams in the league. Will they look the same next week? Undoubtedly.