Title: Norman Powell’s growth in Raptors’ turnaround could shift starter strategy
Date: February 10, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Norman Powell’s return to form, the way it’s helped the Raptors surge, and the questions it introduces moving forward.
Earlier in the season, it would have looked like a mistake borne of tunnel-vision: Norman Powell running in transition with Pascal Siakam and, despite the numbers advantage and a good lane and sightline for a lob, Powell instead unleashing a floater.
With the benefit of the last dozen games, it was instead easy to take it for what it was: An attempt to make the right decision that he just put the wrong touch on. As the Raptors cruised to an eventual 137-115 victory against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Powell’s flubbed alley-oop was cause for big smiles and some laughs. One game after Siakam missed an opportunity to get Powell to 30 points in a pull-away win, Powell inadvertently got his revenge, keeping himself as the game’s top scorer with 28.
The perspective shift highlights two pretty major changes around the Raptors of late.
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 