The Los Angeles Clippers have played above preseason expectations this season. This is doubly true because their presumed best player, Kawhi Leonard, missed the first 34 games. Despite that, the Clippers are in a playoff spot at the moment. They own a 26-19 record, good for sixth-best in the West. They are just percentage points behind the Los Angeles Lakers who are in fifth. A large reason for their surprising play is due to Norman Powell, who many believe is playing at an All-Star level.
Clippers Top Scorer Believes He Is An All-Star
Norman Powell Has Put Himself Into All-Star Consideration
It isn’t all that often that a 31-year-old has their breakout year, but that is the case for Powell in 2024-25. With Paul George leaving for the Philadelphia 76ers and Leonard not being ready to start the season, it was expected that Powell would be thrust into a larger role. He has certainly proven that the extra responsibility isn’t too much for him to handle.
Now in his 10th season, Powell is putting together his best one yet. Starting all 37 of his appearances, the 6-foot-3 guard has posted averages of 23.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals. He has shot 49.0% from the field, 43.1% from beyond the arc, and 84.2% from the free-throw line. His scoring average is currently 20th-highest in the league.
An NBA champion with the 2019 Toronto Raptors, Powell has allowed himself to be in All-Star consideration. If you ask him, he believes he should be there. Speaking with ClutchPoints, Powell made it evident that’s how he feels. He said,
“I think I’ve been playing at an All-Star level all season. Honestly, I don’t like talking about myself, but I mean, numbers don’t lie on where I’m at, what I’m averaging, what I’m doing across the board, and then the efficiency that I’m playing with…I see myself as an All-Star, I want to be an All-Star, and I think I am.”
Each of the previous two seasons, Powell finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Now in the starting lineup, he has put himself into the All-Star conversation, although he faces steep competition.
A Lot Of All-Star Worthy Players In Western Conference Backcourt
The All-Star starting lineups were announced on Thursday. In the Western Conference, the starting backcourt consists of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Stephen Curry. There will be between 2-4 more guards selected in a few days as West reserves. Two are guaranteed, while two wild card slots can be any position.
Other Western Conference backcourt members who will be in consideration include Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Anthony Edwards, De’Aaron Fox, and Devin Booker. Players such as Ja Morant and Luka Doncic certainly also deserve consideration, although they may have missed too many games with injury.
The reserves will be announced this upcoming Thursday. If Powell isn’t named, there’s still a chance he can make it as a replacement if players are unable to compete due to injury. In the meantime, the Clippers next game takes place on Monday night on the road against the Phoenix Suns.
