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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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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Norman Powell memory No. 2:  Guarding LeBron in the 2016 Playoffs

As a 22-year-old, second-round rookie Powell was about as low on the NBA totem pole as one could get.  He averaged fringe-guy stats on fringe-guy minutes as he backed up a wing rotation of DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross, and DeMarre Carroll.

By 2016 the Lowry/DeRozan era was in full swing.  The Raptors had broken the franchise wins record and were in the middle of the deepest playoff run the team had made to date.

Now in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Raptors were facing the Cleveland Cavaliers team that would later go on to win the title. A team with a big three of Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, and of course, LeBron James.

Coming off a career year with the Hawks, Toronto had signed DeMarre Carroll in the 2015 offseason with one goal in mind; slow down LeBron. But after the first two games of the series it was clear the Raps were getting no such help from Carroll. In games one and two, the Cavs had demolished Toronto by an average margin of 25 points.

LeBron had had his way with Carroll in both games, logging decreased minutes because of Cleveland’s huge leads and shooting 70% from the field. That’s why half way through a must-win Game 3, Dwane Casey went with a new face, and Powell stepped onto the court.

It started out as a gimmick. Carroll needed a breath, Patrick Patterson had his hands full with Kevin Love, and DeRozan and Ross couldn’t stop LeBron. Powell was mostly out there for his energy and to buy Coach Casey some minutes in which to rest his starting small-forward.

It looked silly.  Powell, young and full of nervous energy, looking like a shrimp as he crouched in an exaggeratedly low defensive stance, and LeBron, looking like a Greek God as he towered over him.

What ended up happening was Powell gave him more trouble than any other Raptor did.  He pestered him all the way up the court, poked and harassed him with the ball and stayed draped around him without it.

Now, LeBron was still LeBron and the Raptors ended up losing this series in 6, but this was a transformative moment for Powell’s career.  It earned him a spot in the league.  t changed him from just another guy trying to crack the rotation into a real NBA player.

LeBron James came charging at him, and Norman Powell stood his ground.

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