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Rockets’ Fred VanVleet sends powerful message to Norman Powell’s NBA All-Star selection
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- Rockets’ Fred VanVleet sends powerful message to Norman Powell’s NBA All-Star selection
Rockets' Fred VanVleet sends powerful message to Norman Powell's NBA All-Star selection appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The reserves for next month's NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles were announced on Sunday, including Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, among the first-timers is Miami Heat guard Norman Powell .
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Powell has been on a tear in his maiden season with the Heat, averaging career-highs of 23.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals entering their game against the Chicago Bulls .
His former teammate, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet , could not be more excited for his selection to the midseason classic.
"Norm! Well-deserved, @Jigga2cal. One of the hardest workers I've ever seen," wrote VanVleet on X.
VanVleet and Powell played together for several years on the Toronto Raptors , winning a championship in 2019. They developed a strong bond as teammates, and obviously, they have remained tight despite being on different teams now.
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Powell was traded by Toronto to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021 for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood , while VanVleet signed with the Rockets in 2023 as a free agent.
Their careers mirror each other, as both worked their way up the ladder, including playing in the G League. Powell was a second-round pick, while VanVleet went undrafted.
VanVleet was named an All-Star in 2022.
He is set to miss the entire season due to an ACL injury. He re-signed with Houston on a two-year, $50 million contract in June.
Aside from Powell, other first-timers to the All-Star Game include Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija , Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren , Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray , Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson , and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren .
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