Toronto Raptors: 3 players with the most to prove as the NBA returns

Toronto Raptors with the most to prove: Norman Powell

Before the NBA season was put on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, Norman Powell was having a breakout season for the Raptors. He was averaging about 16 points, four rebounds, and two assists per game while shooting a scorching 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep.

This season, Norm has been what all Raptor fans have hoped he would develop into. A player that can effectively score off the dribble, attack the basket, defend multiple positions, and now he can reliably hit 3-pointers at a consistent rate.

Powell even won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award on March 9th, where he averaged close to 31 points, two rebounds, and four assists per game while shooting 56 percent from the field, and led the Raptors to a 3-0 week.

Norm has been fantastic this season and has really been the anchor for a bench unit that has been pretty inconsistent all season. However, the question with Powell is consistency, can he truly maintain this level of production for the Raptors as the team comes off a long break? Also, can Norm stay consistent when defenses start to pay more attention to him in the playoffs?

Questions about consistency have plagued Norm throughout his career so far and with the NBA season set to resume those questions still need to be answered. Norm needs to prove this season was not a fluke and that he can be a reliable two-way option off the bench for the Raptors in big games and especially in the playoffs.

If Norman can continue his break out season, there is no doubt the Raptors will have a great weapon off the bench as they fight to defend their championship.