Goodbye Norman Powell. Sometimes when a player leaves, the fanbase can tell right away that they’re going to miss him. DeMar DeRozan is a prime example, but it even happens with non-all-stars. Serge Ibaka never sniffed the all-star game, but as soon as he walked to go to the Clippers the entire Toronto Raptors community mourned his loss.
It’s unclear how Powell’s now absence will impact the fanbase. A good player, not a great one, not particularly unique in his game, or bombastic in his personality, Powell could be one of those guys who leaves like a gust of wind. Quietly, and without much change.
More, I think, this officially marks the end of this chapter in Raptors history. Losing another remnant of the 2019 title team, Masai making his first move towards the bottom in his entire tenure as GM, this trade will look more impactful ten years from now than it does in this moment. Of that, we can be sure.
While never a star player, Powell’s six years with the Toronto Raptors have coincided with the most competitive era of basketball in franchise history. Always a player who’s flown a bit under the radar, Powell has nevertheless collected these five pearls from his tenure in the North.
Norman Powell made so many great memories with the Toronto Raptors
Whether it’s coming off the bench as a scorer, starting at the wing, or focusing on the defensive end, Powell’s served his team to the best of his abilities. Toronto got Powell’s best, and that’s something to celebrate.
As fans, let’s look back on our fondest memories during the Powell era.