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Norman Powell calls Clippers losing Paul George ‘addition by subtraction’
Norman Powell calls Clippers losing Paul George ‘addition by subtraction’
The Los Angeles Clippers, coming off yet another unfortunate playoff exit, lost a critical piece in forward Paul George, who departed back east to Philadelphia for a four-year max contract early this offseason.
Clippers guard Norman Powell, however, appeared bullish on the newly-shaped Clippers heading into the 2024-25 season during Media Day Monday.
“I saw it is addition by subtraction,” he said. “More guys get more opportunity, not only myself, but I was excited. What I’ve said in this media day every year was that I wanted to be the starting 2-guard, and that opportunity’s in front of me.”
Powell spoke additionally about that opportunity that others will have without George and Russell Westbrook, now in Denver with the Nuggets.
“I know media and outlets like to write us off because we don’t have PG anymore and we moved Russ,” he said. “I’ve been on a team that lost a superstar after coming off a championship and were still top five in East that following season before COVID-19. … Their roles will expand. The league is, ‘What have you done for me lately?’ so people forget other aspects of guys’ games. But I think other guys will expand and show they have more to their game than what’s being put out.”
James Harden may not be as explosive as he was when he was in Houston, but the 35-year-old will almost certainly be the offense’s primary initiator when he’s on the floor; Kawhi Leonard, when healthy, will be the team’s No. 1 option; Powell’s role will expand beyond just a 3-and-D shooter off-the-bench; Terance Mann and Derrick Jones Jr. will have expanded opportunities.
After finishing 51-31, the Clippers were one of the few teams in the Western Conference that got worse from last season after losing George and Westbrook. Leonard will be limited when training camp begins Tuesday after another arthroscopic knee surgery performed this offseason.
It may be “addition by subtraction,” because George’s presence would still be helpful in this context, but if Los Angeles wants to make the postseason, they are going to need several players to play above their head this upcoming season.
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