The first round of All-Star voting results are finally out. On the Eastern side, the top three frontcourt players are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Karl-Anthony Towns, while the top three backcourt players are LaMelo Ball, Donovan Mitchell, and Damian Lillard. In the West, the top three frontcourt players are Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Stephen Curry in the backcourt.
Generally speaking, there are no surprises, as voting is primarily based on the season's performance. However, established superstars like LeBron, Durant, and Curry still have a strong fan base, ensuring their selection regardless of their current form, as long as they remain in the league.
Among those who could potentially make their first All-Star appearance are Jaylen Williams, Alperen Sengun, Franz Wagner, Evan Mobley, Derrick White, Tyler Herro, and today's main character, Norman Powell. Currently, he has 110,222 votes, ranking him 10th among Western Conference guards. Objectively, such a vote count offers slim hopes in the competitive guard category, but it is undoubtedly significant for Powell. This is the first time in his 12-year career that he has reached an All-Star level, which is a massive recognition.
Looking at his actual performance this season, he indeed deserves an All-Star selection, even outperforming many players ahead of him. At the start of the season, the Clippers were seen as a team outside the play-in tournament, but in the first five games, Powell averaged 25.4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, with shooting percentages of 49.5% and 41.3%.
This performance was somewhat shocking, as George's departure and Leonard's injury were expected to increase Powell's stats, but not to this extent. In November, Powell continued his impressive form, averaging 22.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over the next ten games, with shooting percentages of 48.7% and 53.4%, and a ridiculous true shooting percentage of 64.9%.
After a 20-day absence due to a hamstring strain, Powell returned and maintained his excellent form, with December averages of 25.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, shooting 49% and 40.6%.
So far this season, Powell is averaging 23.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals, with shooting percentages of 48% and 44.1%, and a true shooting percentage of 62.5%. This is undoubtedly the best season of his career, with all-time highs in starts, average points, and true shooting percentage, delivering both quality and quantity.
In advanced statistics, the Clippers outscore opponents by 3.3 points per 100 possessions when Powell is on the court, compared to a negative 2.1 when he's off, resulting in a net efficiency difference of +5.4.
Throughout his career, Powell has consistently been an offensive powerhouse with high efficiency, averaging 12.8 points in 23.8 minutes per game, with shooting percentages of 47% and 40%. What he lacked was merely an opportunity.
With George's departure and Leonard's injury, Powell finally got his chance to start. This season, his usage rate of 27.1% and 17.2 shots per game are career highs, as is his true shooting percentage.
It's not an exaggeration to say that although making the All-Star team is challenging, Powell truly delivered an All-Star level performance this season.
Returning to the Clippers, one-third of the season has passed, and they now have a record of 19 wins and 15 losses, just half a game behind the fourth-placed Nuggets, exceeding expectations.
In the next game, star player Kawhi Leonard will return, and a stronger version of the Clippers will be unleashed. With the fifth-best defensive efficiency in the league this season, if they can maintain this level, along with the new "big three" of Harden, Powell, and Leonard, the Clippers might have a real chance to break through in the West.