Between Bradley Beal and Norman Powell, and their current and former teams, there is a shocking pattern, and the LA Clippers landed the worst part of it. Max Kellerman, a well-known figure in the sports industry, noticed it and went on to say how wrong the Clippers were on Bill Simmons’ podcast.
Kellerman’s general point is directed at the Clippers and how they went down the wrong alley. Beal was on the Phoenix Suns, a losing team at the time that did not play defense, while Powell was winning in LA’s scheme that prioritized defense.
Following the swap, Beal’s old team, the Suns, is 13-9 and much better. Powell’s new team, the Miami Heat, is the fourth seed at 14-8, and the Clippers are 6-16, with an atrocious defense that the three-time all-star took part in.
Each of the teams involved played a role switch, and of course, the Clippers initially thought they landed the best outcome when, in reality, they received the short end of the stick.
Norman Powell should have never exited the LA Clippers
Norman Powell was a fan favorite, generating an electrifying atmosphere that no other player could match. Despite having no track record of being an all-star, he was the primary player last season, constantly drilling shots that would make the crowd pop.
The truth is, Powell and Bradley Beal were never the same player, even if their stats were somewhat close together last season. Just because they both knew how to average near 20 points per game in their early 30s did not mean they were interchangeable in the same scheme, yet that is what Lawrence Frank’s thought process was.
Just going off play style, Powell and Beal work very differently. But what also does not align between the two veterans is their mindsets and approach to the game.
Powell played every single one of his games in a Clipper uniform with a vengeance and something to prove. He would never miss an opportunity to show his passion and energy. If a three-pointer was made, he would celebrate emphatically; if he had successfully completed a tough and-one, he would be seen flexing his muscles.
This comes from his background as a second-round pick, for whom teams must give more credit.
Though Beal never had the wrong mindset, it was nothing like Powell’s. He simply arrived ready to start a new chapter and win a championship. There was nothing unique, which was clearly a significant difference-maker.
That said, one of the Clippers’ most significant blunders over the last few seasons was swapping Beal for Powell. It was essentially not needed, and Max Kellerman is right in frying the Clippers for thinking it was.