NBA Notes: Heat, Norman Powell, Bulls, Anfernee Simons, Rising Stars

Heat

Norman Powell finally gets his moment. And he hopes it’s not a short stay.

After entering the league in 2015, Powell will make his first All-Star appearance Sunday, now as a member of the Heat. An unrestricted free agent after the season, Powell made it clear he would like this chapter to continue.

“Hopefully there’s some good synergy from what they’ve seen that I bring to the table,” Powell said, via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “And hopefully a deal is able to be done sometime. But yeah, I see myself being here and being a part of the Heat organization for however long they’ll have me.”

Powell is in the final year of the five-year, $90 million deal he signed with Portland and is putting up career-best numbers. He’s averaging 23 points per game on strong efficiency, leading Miami in scoring while remaining extension eligible.

“This is definitely a place that I want to be,” Powell said. “I love the mentality. I love the approach. It’s been, honestly, a super easy transition.”

There’s also some symmetry. After missing out on All-Star honors last season with the Clippers, Powell now makes his debut in the Intuit Dome, their new home.

“I still was able to do it,” he said. “It’s just a nice little Easter egg to the story of my career.”

Bulls

The Bulls know exactly what they are.

As Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic noted, this roster is not built for continuity. That reality hasn’t been lost on newcomer Anfernee Simons.

“This is not a normal situation,” Simons said. “Seven new guys, six of them playing heavy minutes. We have to learn on the fly.”

With Simons, Collin Sexton, and Jaden Ivey all in contract years, Chicago may lose games, but effort won’t be the issue.

Rising Stars

VJ Edgecombe saved his best for last, but he didn’t do it alone.

The 76ers guard was named Rising Stars MVP after closing out two straight wins for Team Vince. Edgecombe erupted for 17 points in the semifinal against Team T-Mac, scoring the final 10 and drilling the step-back game-winner over Cam Spencer (Grizzlies) to seal a 41–36 victory.

On the other side, Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers) led Team T-Mac with 10 points, continuing a strong showing in front of a national audience. Tre Johnson (Wizards) added eight while matched up against teammate Kyshawn George.

Edgecombe then finished the job in the championship, closing out the title at the free throw line and earning MVP honors. He joins a familiar list of Rising Stars MVPs that includes Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Jamal Murray, and Cade Cunningham.