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Toronto Raptors: Norman Powell’s Top 5 moments as a Raptor

By Avishai Sol

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 11, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 11, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 19: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Norman Powell memory No. 4: All the dunks

Maybe because the greatest dunker in history will always be remembered with “TORONTO” written across his chest, but it’s always seemed like the Raptors have had a gluttony of high-flyers over their young 26-year run as a franchise. To name a few; McGrady, Carter, Moon, DeRozan, Ross, Anunoby, and Norman Powell.

Norm may not have one signature poster that immortalizes his time in the air, but especially during his younger days Powell was really getting up there.  At only 6’3, the ease with which he would throw it down was always striking. How he’d dunk in the half-court as a guard, how he’d palm the ball and throw it down with his leading hand off a backdoor cut or a baseline fake.

What made it so great was you never saw one of his dunks coming.  With a lot of athletic guys, you can tell that they’re going for a dunk the second they take off. Maybe they wind up, or jump off two feet, or give a little extra in their takeoff.  Not Norm.

Norman Powell was a great dunker

Onlookers would see him go for a layup in traffic and before they knew it he had spiked it down with one hand.  The surprise that came with every Norm dunk was part of the spectacle.

He’s dunked on a few people; Anthony Davis, Rodions Kurucs, and Thon Maker to name a few, but the most impressive dunking moments always came in the open court. It wasn’t flashy, but Norm had a signature move. The ‘Leaning Slam’.

This is where he would take off from the dotted line, kick up his heels, pose in the air with the ball cupped over his head, and tip his whole body to spike it through the net. Those dunks serve as a good metaphor for Norm’s game.  You really have to look closely to understand how impressive it is.

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