There is an even keel to Norm Powell’s nature that runs counter to the frenetic way he sometimes plays basketball.
He can be thoughtful and introspective, and is constant in his desire to do whatever it takes to win each night.
He calls it purity, and he’s right.
“I think that’s the foundation of my game: playing with a pure heart, trying to be aggressive and make winning plays for the team,” Powell said after leading the Raptors to a scrappy Game 2 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday afternoon. “That (was) all within me when I was growing up, is doing whatever it takes to win.