There’s a reason why the 2016 NBA Finals were so thrilling. Golden State had been in line for the belt all season long. A second-straight championship for the Warriors wouldn’t have exactly been a ho hum accomplishment, but it would have been a hell of a lot less enthralling than dramatically blowing a 3-1 lead in the Finals. LeBron’s coronation was captivating in part because it was so unexpected.
That’s why Norman Powell’s rookie year was such a treat. High picks like Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis are supposed to show off their limitless ceilings from the jump — that, or risk flirtation with the “bust” label prematurely.