Norman Powell knows his classics. When we talk to him about the former winners of the trophy for best sixth man of the season who wore the Clippers jersey, the guard knows how to name them: “Lou Will, JCrawford, Montrezl. »
In detail, Jamal Crawford won it twice in Los Angeles, in 2014 and 2016; Lou Williams also, in 2018 and 2019; finally Montrezl Harrell was crowned in 2020. The calculation is simple: of the last ten winners, the Clippers therefore account for half.
Will the replacement, who is one of the favorites to win the “John Havlicek Trophy”, continue this tradition and confirm the status of the Clippers in the field?
“That would be amazing. That would be important to me. It would be recognition of the importance I have for the team, of my ability to impose myself, to help the team as well as proof of my work over the years. replies the former Toronto playerwho finished fourth in the votes in 2022/23. “It would be proof of my work, of my sacrifice for the team. I see myself as a starter and an impact player but the most important thing is to sacrifice and give your all to help the team. »
“A real flamethrower”
The notion of sacrifice is important in the eyes of Norman Powell, who took time to accept not being a starter and a star in Los Angeles. But the competition will be tough since Malik Monk seems to have a head start, while Bobby Portis and Naz Reid also have arguments.
“Norman Powell is excellent with his 14 points per game and he is on one of the best teams in the league. He performs when his team needs him. He knows the stars will be the stars but they need that punch,” comments Jamal Crawford, three-time winner of the best sixth man trophy.
“It’s a real flamethrower,” continues Doc Rivers, coach of the Clippers during the five seasons in which the franchise was rewarded. “He has confidence in himself. Jamal, Lou and him could have been starters on most teams and they agreed to come off the bench. It’s a step to take mentally. »
What is his definition of the sixth man?
“The main thing to be a good sixth man is sacrifice already. Then, you have to watch the match and impose your influence, according to what the team expects and what the match demands,” begins Norman Powell. “Every match can be different. It’s not necessarily points, but defensive rebounding, defense or communication. Sometimes it's not statistics but it's helping your teammates, seeing things from the bench. That's what the sixth man is: the player who is there and helps the team, whatever it needs. »
| Norman Powell | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | TOR | 49 | 15 | 42.4 | 40.4 | 81.1 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 5.6 |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 76 | 18 | 44.9 | 32.4 | 79.2 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 8.4 |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 70 | 15 | 40.1 | 28.5 | 82.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 5.5 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | 60 | 19 | 48.3 | 40.0 | 82.7 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 8.6 |
| 2019-20 | TOR | 52 | 28 | 49.5 | 39.9 | 84.3 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 16.0 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 69 | 32 | 47.7 | 41.1 | 87.1 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 18.6 |
| 2020-21 * | TOR | 42 | 30 | 49.8 | 43.9 | 86.5 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 19.6 |
| 2020-21 * | POR | 27 | 34 | 44.3 | 36.1 | 88.0 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 17.0 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 45 | 32 | 46.1 | 41.9 | 81.1 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 19.0 |
| 2021-22 * | POR | 40 | 33 | 45.6 | 40.6 | 80.3 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 18.7 |
| 2021-22 * | LAKE | 5 | 25 | 50.8 | 54.2 | 85.7 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 21.4 |
| 2022-23 | LAKE | 60 | 26 | 47.9 | 39.7 | 81.2 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 17.0 |
| 2023-24 | LAKE | 65 | 26 | 48.9 | 43.5 | 82.6 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 13.9 |
| Total | 546 | 23 | 46.8 | 39.3 | 82.7 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 12.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
