I think it's too early to say for sure that Powell can't be effective this year, but I will say so far he's been disappointing. That could change or stay the same. Nobody knows for sure. The part I don't like is Powell doesn't deserve to start right now. I don't feel like if Powell was on the Lakers, Clips, Heat, Bucks or any top contender they would just throw a guy out there to be loyal to him. I think that's unfair to all the other players. Powell should be the 3rd string 5 right now imo and have to earn the right to move up.
Powell is a great character guy and super intelligent. He's great in the locker room it seems. In the end, the NBA is a results driven business. I personally don't see how Powell can play beside KP when he returns. KP was a completely different player once DP went out. Maxi is clearly the better player of him and DP. Honestly I prefer WCS over DP in the small sample size we've seen so far. I just wish Rick was making DP earn the right to start instead of just handing it to him from the start. I know some will say Rick has his reasons and I'm sure he does. If Rick's plan it to play DP at the 5 until KP returns and then make DP the 3rd string #5 I could understand that to keep his rotations the same. If the plan is for DP to start the whole season, I just simply disagree with that. Personally I feel like DP is the only odd fit right now because he can't shoot. If he could shoot like Maxi, his injury wouldn't be as hindering. Sorry for the long post. I just have my concerns about DP right now and I don't think it's fair to the other guys for him to start right now. A team shouldn't have to overcome a player when it's unnecessary.
Powell is a great character guy and super intelligent. He's great in the locker room it seems. In the end, the NBA is a results driven business. I personally don't see how Powell can play beside KP when he returns. KP was a completely different player once DP went out. Maxi is clearly the better player of him and DP. Honestly I prefer WCS over DP in the small sample size we've seen so far. I just wish Rick was making DP earn the right to start instead of just handing it to him from the start. I know some will say Rick has his reasons and I'm sure he does. If Rick's plan it to play DP at the 5 until KP returns and then make DP the 3rd string #5 I could understand that to keep his rotations the same. If the plan is for DP to start the whole season, I just simply disagree with that. Personally I feel like DP is the only odd fit right now because he can't shoot. If he could shoot like Maxi, his injury wouldn't be as hindering. Sorry for the long post. I just have my concerns about DP right now and I don't think it's fair to the other guys for him to start right now. A team shouldn't have to overcome a player when it's unnecessary.