Clippers guard Norman Powell, shooting a layup against Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray, has had a breakout season. (Jenny Kane / Associated Press)
It was a Friday after the Clippers had just come off a back-to-back affair and were staring at five games in seven days starting this week when Norman Powell decided it was the perfect time for his body wellness.
Powell’s motto during his basketball career has been to grind. He even opened a clothing line called “Understand The Grind.” It’s what Powell has always subscribed to for as long as he can remember and it’s what has pushed him to new heights in a 10-year career that has been defined by his dedication to his craft.
So on this off day, Powell got a massage in preparation for the grind to come.
“Taking care of the body between games and making sure that you got the proper recovery so you can go out there and perform the way you want to perform,” Powell said. “It’s all part of the process.”
The significant time Powell has put forth to reach a higher level has led to his name being talked about as a possible All-Star participant next month in San Francisco.
He’s among the NBA’s top 20 scorers, averaging a career-best 23.7 points per game. He’s one of the league’s premier three-point shooters, making 45.2% of them to rank sixth.
Read more: Norman Powell and James Harden power Clippers to victory over Portland
After the third round of voting was released last week, Powell was 10th for Western Conference guards.
To receive the first selection of his career, Powell will most likely have to be voted on the team by the 30 NBA coaches who choose the reserves.
“It was always an individual goal,” Powell said as he and the Clippers prepared to host the Lakers on Sunday in their own arena, the Intuit Dome, for the first time. “It was, ‘I want to be an All-Star. I want to be on that stage. I want to be in the same position that I saw my favorite players being in growing up.’
“And honestly it’s surreal. … It’s been 10 years and I kind of take it as a little shot or a little chip on my shoulder when everybody is talking about, ‘Oh, this is…
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