Norman Powell reveals comfort level ahead of next week’s Heat opener

MIAMI – Ace Miami Heat fans await star Tyler Hero’s return from injurythe team will have to go without a quarterback to start the season. Please enter Heat rookie looking to step up in Norman Powell as he spoke with ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview about where he is in his comfort level ahead of next week’s opener.

With less than a week until the regular season opener against the Orlando Magic, Powell looks like the best offensive option without Hero, which could be a tall order for someone who isn’t 100 percent acclimated. Although the chemistry is developing day by day, there are still nooks and crannies to solidify, as Powell tells ClutchPoints that his comfort level is at or around 70 percent.

“I’d say it’s probably like the ’70s, we’re just still trying to figure out the flow, the points of attack, how we’re trying to play. The biggest thing, how we’re trying to play is that we’ve been emphasizing tempo,” Powell said after practice on Thursday. “So I’m still trying to find my spots on that end … So I’d say it’s at 70.”

With the comfort level at that percentage, is the goal to get to 100 percent by next Wednesday or will it be a constant development throughout the season? Powell would emphasize that it is more important for him and the team that they “build and move in the right direction.”

“For me, it’s going to evolve, it’s never about coming in 100% ready to go, it’s about looking at what the team needs, looking at what the season calls for. We don’t want to play our best basketball to start, we want to play winning basketball, obviously, but we want to build and move in the right direction,” Powell said.

“It’s a long season,” Powell continued. “We want to be trending when it gets tight, when it gets close, at a time when it’s important to win and make this playoff push.”

Norman Powell and Terry Rozier shoot 3-pointers. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/OAFCKSuRUaz

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 16, 2025

Heat’s Norman Powell on explosive scrimmage performance

While Powell continues to learn the standard that Vrućina has for itselfhe undoubtedly brought strength to an offense that was desperately needed, having the best season of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers. Last season, the 31-year-old averaged 21.8 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting from the field and 41.8 percent from deep.

With some arguing that he should have been an All-Star, Powell will experience a similar start to the season as when Herro was out, the same thing that happened last year when Kawhi Leonard missed time to start. Powell has already shown his offensive prowess in the preseason and even in the annual Red, White and Pink game, where he scored 46 points, although it wasn’t a very physical affair.

The game raises awareness and celebrates breast cancer survivors, which has an impact on Powell’s life, as he mentioned.

“I mean, it was fun. I mean, it was for a great cause, great awareness,” Powell said of the public brawl. “It’s my first time participating in it, but I had a lot of fun. I’m directly affected by breast cancer. My girlfriend’s mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor. I talked about it yesterday, but it’s a lot of fun. I tell the guys, yeah, we might not go 100 percent, but let the defense, let the defense be like that.”

“Let’s do at least some cardio,” Powell continued. “Get up and down the floor, play a little tempo so we’re still building good habits. We’re not trying to kill ourselves out there, but let’s get something out of it, if anything.”

Heat’s Norman Powell shares his excitement for the season

With fans locking theirs bold predictions for the Heat this upcoming seasonPowell will certainly be a key part of any success this season, although his comfort level will be an aspect to monitor. If anything, Powell is “really excited” for the season to get underway.

“Yeah, I’m really excited about it, man, you know, I’m a vet, it’s my 11th year, you know, you take the preseason differently, not in a bad way, but you want to get to the right one, you know? So it’s all about building blocks, getting my body, my mind ready for the long haul,” Powell said. “But I’m really excited. You know? I know we didn’t win in the preseason.”

“People say what they want, but like I said, it’s the preseason, we’re trying new things, offensively, defensively, we’re building our identity. So when the time comes, we know who we are. We know the style of basketball we’re going to play. Nobody’s won a championship or lost a championship, so we’re getting ready for the preseason. 22,” Powell continued.

As Powell mentioned, Miami is winless in the preseason with its final exhibition game Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies ahead of next Wednesday’s regular season opener against the Magic.