Norman Powell shouldn't be the player leading the Miami Heat in scoring this season, and yet, here we are. This is no disrespect to the 11-year veteran in any way, but Powell is a role player, and role players normally don't lead their teams in scoring, yet the Heat are likely not 20-16 in the East without him.
Powell leads the Heat in scoring because the team lacks superstars (no, Bam Adebayo is not a superstar), which is to Powell's advantage. It's to his advantage because it proves that last year wasn't a fluke, and it also shines a spotlight on him on a team that doesn't have anyone worthy of a spotlight right now.
Powell is putting together a career year in points (24.4), and because he's been so crucial to keeping the Heat above water and, most recently, back within the top eight of the Eastern Conference, Powell believes he should be getting NBA All-Star looks, and he's not wrong.
Norman Powell's impact with the Heat deserves All-Star consideration, more than his stats
Take Austin Reaves, for instance. The Los Angeles Lakers began the season without LeBron James in the lineup, and furthermore, Luka Dončić was in and out of the lineup to start the campaign. Reaves simply stepped up and kept the Lakers from starting the season poorly. Yes, Reaves is averaging 26.6 points per game, but how he took the Lakers on his back early played a significant role in his recent NBA All-Star voting numbers.
Powell's situation is similar to Reaves' in that the Heat sharpshooter — a role player like his Lakers counterpart — has played the season without Tyler Herro (except for six games) and with Adebayo having his worst statistical year since the 2019-20 season. Powell is doing more with less, because at least last year, James Harden was healthy and playing alongside him.
Powell was under consideration for the NBA All-Star game last year for the work he did with the Los Angeles Clippers, and maybe he should have made it.
This year, he's doing the exact same thing he did with the Clippers, only better. His points per game are up, as are his rebounds (3.8), assists (2.7), and all three shooting percentages: field goal (48.8%), three point (42.1%), and free throws (86.6%). All of these are better than Powell's numbers last year, and he was in talks for an All-Star nod, so what should that say about this year?
Powell, of course, believed he should have been voted in as an All-Star last year, and his tune hasn't changed now, either, and he said as much after his 34-point performance against the Pelicans on Sunday.
"I definitely have made the case, wherein last year, not to get caught up in whether I have to make it or not. I think I deserve to make it. My peers around the league, after games, are telling me I am an All-Star. Hopefully it happens for me this year, but for me, the goal is to go out there and win."
Powell went off against the Pelicans, going 9-12 from long distance and 11-15 from the field altogether. The former and long-time Toronto Raptors fan favourite is keeping the Heat in play, right now, and that should play a role in his All-Star consideration. As for his offensive numbers, they can't be ignored.