Norman Powell was the Miami Heat’s biggest offseason addition via trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Heat gave up Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a second-round pick to the Clippers for the 32-year-old.
Powell almost made his first All-Star appearance last season and is expected to play again this year.
He has already gotten off to a great start in his stay in Miami, helping them win two of their opening three games.
Powell even reminded Heat fans of Dwyane Wade by averaging 24 points per game, which makes sense now after reading one old tweet.
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Norman Powell announced in May 2011 that he would model his game on Dwyane Wade.
“I will study Dwyane Wade’s game and model my game after him,” he said in a tweet that resurfaced after his home debut.
Wade had already won the Heat in 2006 and was looking to make his second Finals appearance.
He and LeBron James then led Miami to the final round of the playoffs, where they lost to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Wade was sensational in the postseason, so it’s no wonder Powell wanted to emulate his style of play.
And after four years at UCLA and 10 years in the NBA, Powell is now developing into one of the league’s best shooting guards.
He will never join Wade in the Hall of Fame, but if he continues to perform like this he could become a fan favorite in Miami.
Dwyane Wade revealed in the summer that Norman Powell contacted him after he was traded to Miami.
Powell immediately shared his excitement over the news with the Heat legend after speaking with each other previously in France.
Wade explained: “I think I was playing golf and I came back and I was texting on my phone and he said, ‘Hey, bro, I’m on my way. I’m going to Miami. I can’t wait to put on the jersey.’
“I’m looking at it like, ‘Who is this?’” That’s when I realized Norman Powell had just been traded. I thought, “Oh, this is Norman.” So I immediately hit him back and started rapping.
“I know how much he inspired me because he was a 6-foot-3 or 4-inch, compact, fast, explosive player. He stole parts of different people’s games and gave me some love for what he took from me.”
“So it’s great to have that connection. It’s a dream for him to put on that jersey because he grew up watching his favorite players play in that jersey. So when he actually goes out there and puts on that jersey, it’s going to be an emotional night for him.”