Norman Powell Proves to Be Clippers’ Replacement for Paul George

The Clippers aren’t having the strongest start to the season. While their 6-4 record puts them right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, it also ties them with five other teams and plants them firmly in the middle of the pack.

That’s because, despite their impressive roster and big name stars, Los Angeles has not found a way to pull away from the franchises around them. They’ve taken down some of the strongest squads in the West, but they’ve dropped a few winnable contests too.

However, while it may take a while for things to gel, they may have gotten one thing right: a suitable replacement for Paul George.

When the star guard left Los Angeles due to contract disputes during the offseason, the Clippers knew that he would not be easy to replace.

Not only did he command a lot of attention due to his name, he also recorded 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists a game last year.

Losing out on that production could have sunk the team, but the Clippers have managed to keep playing at a high level due to Norman Powell. The guard hasn’t just taken over George’s role, he’s excelling at all levels and playing the best basketball of his career.

Off to A Strong Start

Powell has largely served as a role player during his 10-year NBA career. He’s always been good enough to make rosters and contribute, but such contributions typically come off the bench or manifest in the form of helping star players get better. This year, things are different.

• The lanky guard is currently averaging 25.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game.

All of those are career highs. In fact, Powell has only averaged more than 20 points a game once in the past, and his career average is just 12.5 points a game.

He’s playing far above past results, and is one of the biggest reasons the Clippers have been able to take down some of the top teams in the Western Conference, including the Warriors, Thunder, and Suns.

That drive has pushed the guard into one of the team’s top contributors, and made him one of the best scorers in the league. He knows when to attack, when to cut, and when to stretch the floor. He’s shown promise for Los Angeles the past few years, but he’s never quite stepped up like this.

A Strong Past, and Stronger Present

While Norman’s come-up has surprised many fans and media members alike, it’s not entirely unprecedented. He’s been a solid player since Los Angeles first signed him at the 2022 trade deadline, especially in the few times when the team needed him to step up.

He finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting for the past two full seasons, stringing together 15.3 points on 10.9 attempts per game. That number is up to 17.4 attempts without George around, and will likely stay high if he keeps shooting at a high level.

Being able to step up is a big part of succeeding in the NBA, and Powell is yet another example of a strong player who, despite their talent, hasn’t had their chance to succeed. He’s now making the most of it.

A Star in the Making

Powell appears to be progressing with each game he plays. That was never more evident last Friday, when he recorded his first-ever career double-double with 31 points and 22 rebounds. The ceiling is high, but it keeps on getting closer.

There’s no doubt the Clippers now see him that way too. The strong scorer is in the fourth year of his five year contract, and is set to make $19.2 million this season and $20.5 million the next.

If he keeps bringing Los Angeles wins, there’s no reason why they won’t extend him beyond that. He might command a higher price tag in the future, but it’s a small price to pay for someone who has stepped into, and largely filled, Paul George’s shoes.

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