Fansided

25-under-25: The best of the rest

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 15: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against the Charlotte Hornets during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on February 15, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

31. Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors

Every postseason, there is bound to be one rookie who seems to play above his station and makes a name for himself on the big stage. That player gets a lot of buzz and brings with him a lot of hope. Often that is when veteran players are pushed aside to open more room for these young, rising stars.

Norman Powell was solid his rookie year. But he stepped up his game in the playoffs with the Toronto Raptors. Powell’s sophomore year was a bit more of a mixed bag — he averaged 8.4 points per game and never quite challenged Terrence Ross or DeMarre Carroll in the rotation.

Then in the playoffs, Powell averaged 11.7 points per game, hitting on 44.1 percent from 3. That proved the decision to let Terrence Ross go and bring in Serge Ibaka was worth it. Not only that, the Raptors showed even more faith in him by letting P.J. Tucker walk in free agency and trading away DeMarre Carroll.

By all accounts, Powell will be the Raptors’ starting small forward. Powell is not going to become a star. But not everyone has that star potential. Some players are just solid and fill a role. Powell can hit an open 3-pointer and play solid defense, about all anyone can ask from a role player. If he can grow his shot-creation game he could even be something more than that.

Asking him to step up and start this year, that is the big challenge for the young forward as his career moves on. The Raptors are putting a lot of trust in him knowing they are a bit capped out. Powell will have to deliver for the Raptors to take their next step.

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