Over the NBA All-Star weekend, Norman Powell was pretty clear in his intentions to remain with the Miami Heat after this season. He's playing on the final year of his contract, but isn't interested in running away from the challenge of competing for the Heat.
And if the Heat are smart, finding a way to keep Powell in the building past this season would be more advantageous than anything else. He's the main reason why Miami is still even in the race in the Eastern Conference. He's been their best player, top scorer, top offensive player, and most consistent producer, and he's a role player.
He's earned his keep with the Heat, and that's apparently exactly what he wants. After an experience he will never forget during the All-Star weekend, Powell is already shifting his attention forward, and that's great news for the Heat and the fans in South Beach.
Norman Powell's "take the team on my back" mentality is what's keeping him focused after the All-Star game
Powell hasn't always been known for his leadership, but he has been for his spot-up shooting, off-the-bench specialist role, and being an all-around solid teammate. That has changed, however, since joining the Heat this season, as Powell's leadership capabilities have almost been forced out of him as a matter of team survival.
Powell has taken the Heat upon his back this year, which is something of a familiar scene since he had to do something similar with the Los Angeles Clippers last year while Kawhi Leonard was out. He was the Clippers' main source of offense, next to James Harden, but Powell was the engine that kept the Clippers above water.
He's doing the same thing with the Heat, and it's brought out a significant sense of responsibility and the need to lead a team from the role-player position. Over All-Star weekend, Powell spoke about his leadership in Miami, and now that the All-Star festivities are over, what he needs to do to keep the Heat above water down the regular season's final stretch.
“As a leader, the first thing you got to do if you want to make change and be the example for the team and how we need to play and what we want to go out and accomplish, you got to look inward,” Powell said, according to The Miami Herald. “And so I’ve already had some thoughts and talks with my trainer…how I need to come out mentally, and what I need to do to get this team on track.”
Looking inward has been a problem for Miami this year, as they have struggled with team identity, who they are, and how they want to play. Of course, injuries and constant rotation changes have led to these problems. Overall, the Heat have not been a consistent team, and yet, they're still above .500 and remain in the playoff hunt.
Powell has been Miami's catalyst all season, averaging 23 points on 47% shooting and 39.6% from three. The fact that he has accepted a prominent leadership role with the team shows how valuable he is in Miami. His All-Star experience was his first, but it’s over now, and the Heat need Powell to carry them onward, which, in hearing his comments, he's ready and willing to do so.