Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell, from the Raptors’ Bench Mob at the All-Star Game

When Norman Powell walked into the Team World locker room on Saturday morning, and the first player he saw was Pascal Siakamhis former teammate in Toronto. The 2019 NBA champions with the Ontario franchise, the two men shared a long hug, as if to freeze the moment.

A few years earlier (even before the title) they already belonged to the Raptors’ famous “Bench Mob”. A core of hungry young people composed of Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, but also Fred VanVleet or even And the Anunobi in his early days, who worked hard to find a place in the NBA.

“Seeing Pascal, remembering all the hours of work we put together during the first years in Toronto, and seeing where we are today… it’s crazy”laughed Norman Powell, selected for the All-Star game for the first time in his career. “We all stayed in touch. Pascal was an All-Star a couple of times, Fred too, me this year, and I told OG he was going to be next. That says a lot about the work we’ve done since 2019, and it also shows how tight our bench was at that time.”

“Almost every guy on this team, from this 2019 culture, has made it to the NBA”

Kawhi Leonardwho arrived in Toronto and became a team alpha before signing with the Clippers after the 2019 title, clearly had a different look. The more experienced, already a champion with San Antonio, wasn’t necessarily impressed with the raw talent of the team when he arrived in Canada, but he quickly identified the Stakhanovites.

“The talent wasn’t necessarily there, but the work ethic was”he explained on Saturday. “That’s why they surprised everybody. People underestimated them. But they played 300 percent every night. I’m really happy for them, and especially for Norm. The fact that he achieved this goal is huge.”

For his part, Pascal Siakam could not wipe away the smile when talking about this period.

“That’s crazy!” I don’t think people realize how far we’ve come to get here.”he said, shaking his head. “It’s a good feeling to work so hard and be recognized for all that work. And when, moreover, you can experience it with your friends… Almost all the guys on this team, from this 2019 culture, made it to the NBA. It’s amazing. And that’s why I hugged Norm for long seconds in the locker room.”

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