Norman Powell continues to adjust with Clippers – Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — His numbers, whether it’s been minutes or points, have fluctuated this season going from zero to double digits in both categories. For some players, that might be seen as early-season struggles. Not to Norman Powell.

The Clippers shooting guard, whose role, like the other guards, has been altered since James Harden joined the team, said the ups and downs are simply a part of “figuring it out.”

“It’s a totally new team, a totally new dynamic,” Powell said, who appeared to have found a rhythm in Sunday’s 105-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

He matched his season high with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 4 of 7 3-pointers and had two rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes, his second-most court time this season.

“I just need to be more aggressive and confident and make the plays that are in front of me,” he added. “Ty (Lue) switched up the rotations and the lineup a little bit and I had more time on the court. So, I got to get the feel of the game and do what was needed and play with confidence.”

Powell said he felt a boost early in the game when he got his first rebound in transition. During the next time out, Coach Tyronn Lue told him to be himself, be aggressive.

“So, that’s what I started doing – being aggressive in my reads,” he said.

Powell said he isn’t alone in figuring out how to impact a game. Every player is doing the same.

“The biggest thing is we can’t let go of the rope, we can’t blame one another. We have to look at each other and then individually improve our play, our own production and figure out how we can bring it together collectively, offensively and defensively.

“People want us to come out and win automatically just because we have four Hall of Fame players on the team. It doesn’t work like that. Basketball doesn’t work like that. It’s all figuring it out, how each other likes to play.”

“It’s all new to everybody. It’s just a process and its continuing. I think we made some good steps in this game but it’s still going to be a continuing process for the next couple of weeks.”

RISING TENSIONS

With 2:55 left in the third quarter, the Grizzlies called a time out, sending both teams to their respective sidelines. As Leonard and Ivica Zubac came off the court, they were seen exchanging words on the bench.

Leonard declined to reveal what was said, calling it “team stuff.” Paul George said no one should read anything into that because the players are frustrated.

“We’re not winning games and we’re trying to figure it out. And at times, we’re all brothers in this locker room and at times, a message has to be delivered and we have to figure out how to get over the hump. So that’s all it is. That’s healthy. That incident is healthy for us.”