Norman Powell Is Quietly Playing Like an All-Star - And He Knows It
The Miami Heat are in a rough patch - five straight losses, the offense sputtering, and the rhythm that carried them earlier in the season suddenly out of sync. But amid the turbulence, Norman Powell is quietly putting together one of the most complete seasons of his career - and it’s time the rest of the league took notice.
Through 21 games, the 32-year-old guard is averaging 24.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting a blistering 49.3% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc. That’s not just solid production - that’s All-Star level efficiency from a veteran who’s somehow still leveling up more than a decade into his NBA career.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a flash-in-the-pan scoring stretch. Powell is outpacing what were already career-best numbers from last season. At an age when most players are either plateauing or transitioning into bench roles, Powell is doubling down on his impact - and doing it on both ends of the floor.
No, it’s not LeBron-esque longevity, but it’s still a remarkable evolution. Powell has become more than just a scoring option - he’s a stabilizing force for a Heat team that’s currently searching for answers. He’s taken on more of a leadership role, and it’s showing in how he carries himself both on and off the court.
That leadership was on display during a recent appearance on the Ball in the Family podcast, hosted by Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball. In a light-hearted segment, Powell was asked to stay silent or “make a noise” when a player was mentioned whom he believed was better than him. The names came quickly - Donte DiVincenzo, Jordan Poole, Austin Reaves, Derrick White, Josh Hart, Bradley Beal - but Powell didn’t say a word.
It wasn’t until Kawhi Leonard’s name came up that Powell finally broke his silence.
“When you think about ‘better,’ it depends on what you’re looking at,” Powell said thoughtfully. “For me, being a student of the game, everybody you name is good at something. I feel like I’ve got a little bit of everything.”
He wasn’t throwing shade - he was breaking it down like a vet who’s studied the film and knows his value. Powell praised Hart’s energy and rebounding, Reaves’ offensive creativity, DiVincenzo’s catch-and-shoot ability. But when it came to himself, he was confident: “You can have me anywhere, everywhere, and I’ll still be able to produce and play well.”
That’s not arrogance - that’s a player who understands his game inside and out. And the numbers back him up.
Outside of Austin Reaves, who’s averaging 27.8 points this season, Powell is outscoring every player mentioned in that segment. And with Bradley Beal sidelined for the year, Powell’s production stands out even more.
This is a player who’s carved his path the hard way - a second-round pick who’s become a key piece on multiple playoff teams, including a championship run with the Raptors. Now, in his 11th season, Powell is not just hanging around - he’s thriving.
He might not have the national spotlight just yet, but if he keeps this up, it won’t be long before the All-Star buzz gets louder. Norman Powell isn’t just producing - he’s proving. And in a league full of specialists, he’s reminding everyone what it looks like to be a true all-around threat.