Norman Powell Gets Real On LeBron “Beef”, Kawhi's Championship Aura, Drake Stories & More | EP 27
Oct 30, 2023
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NBA Champion Norman Powell discusses choosing UCLA over USC, playing with DeMar DeRozan and the surreal feeling of getting drafted. Talks about LeBron James always beating the Raptors in playoffs. Recounts Kawhi Leonard's incredible shot in the 2019 NBA Championship run. Shares experience playing with Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Norm and PG share Drake stories and pick their Starting 5: Best Microwave Scorers.
Norman Powell learned valuable lessons from playing alongside Kawhi Leonard, adopting a "work smarter, not harder" approach which boosted his confidence and scoring ability.
Norman Powell shares amusing anecdotes about his interactions with Drake, including a mix-up with LeBron James and Drake's generous gesture of paying for the team's night out at a club in Houston.
Drake's involvement with the Toronto Raptors has not only raised the team's profile but has also changed the perception of the organization, providing financial support, and bringing increased attention and excitement to the team.
Deep dives
Impressions of Toronto and the Championship Run
After winning the championship with Toronto, the experience of being in Toronto and playing alongside Kawhi Leonard had a significant impact on Norman Powell. He learned from Kawhi's work ethic and mentality, adopting a "work smarter, not harder" approach. Powell's confidence grew, and when he was traded to Portland, he embraced his role as a scorer. Playing alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum made scoring easier, as he benefited from the attention their presence drew from defenses.
The Influence of Drake
Norman Powell shares a couple of anecdotes about his interactions with Drake. One amusing story involves him being told that Drake was in the room, and Powell proceeded to go up stairs and greet LeBron James, thinking it was Drake. Another story reveals Drake's generosity, as he paid for the entire team's night out at a club in Houston. Powell expresses his admiration for Drake as a fan and appreciates the ongoing support Drake shows to the team and the city of Toronto.
Drake's Impact on the Toronto Raptors
Drake's influence on the Toronto Raptors extends beyond his music career. He has helped raise the profile of the team and the city, providing financial support and actively engaging with the players. Drake's involvement has contributed to the team's success and has become an integral part of the Raptors' identity. The OVO logo is featured throughout the team's facilities, including the practice facility. Drake's presence has helped change the perception of the organization and has brought increased attention and excitement to the team.
Importance of the G League Experience
Playing in the G League provided the speaker with an opportunity to showcase his skills and prove himself. Despite initial disappointment, he embraced the experience and performed well in the league, which helped him understand the value of earning your stripes and gaining valuable playing time.
Challenges of Facing LeBron James
The speaker discusses the difficulties of facing LeBron James during his time with the Toronto Raptors. He highlights LeBron's exceptional basketball IQ and ability to counter every defensive strategy. Despite the speaker's team's efforts, they couldn't overcome LeBron's dominance, acknowledging his incredible impact on the game.
In the first guest episode of Season 2 of Podcast P, we had the pleasure of hosting Los Angeles Clippers Guard & NBA Champion Norman Powell. Norman shares his thoughts on why he chose UCLA over USC. He also described the surreal feeling of getting drafted by the Toronto Raptors and playing alongside one of his all-time favorite players, DeMar DeRozan (23:54). How LeBron James had the Raptors number every season in playoffs while he was in Toronto (41:00). Then he recounts Kawhi Leonard’s incredible shot vs the 76ers during the 2019 NBA Championship run (48:30). Plus, he talks about his experience playing with Clippers stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George (1:08:08). Finally, Norm and PG share Drake stories and pick their Starting 5: Best Microwave Scorers.