Josh Powell Makes Most of His Opportunity

Really Lost One · Feb 19, 2009

Reporting from Oakland -- His minutes are down to 8.9 per game. He had played in only 32 of the previous 53 games.

He was a backup power forward and center, never knowing when he would be asked to play, mostly sitting on the bench.

But not once has Josh Powell complained.

So when the opportunity was presented to Powell because of a trade and because of an injury, he gave the Lakers his best outing of the season.

Somehow, Powell avoided not getting overly frustrated when his playing time was limited.

"How do you avoid it? Let me see. Let me think," Powell said, smiling. "I'm on the best team in the league. I'm playing with the Lakers. I'm playing with some of the best guys in the league. I don't know. What else? How do you want me to put it? I'm in the NBA. It's a lot to be thankful for."

Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers were thankful that Powell was so successful, that he had such a big part in the 129-121 victory.

He scored a season-high 17 points. He grabbed a season-high seven rebounds. He played a season-high 25 minutes.

"It's tough," Powell said. He and, he added, his teammates "want to be able to perform and participate and be able to show what you can do," Powell said. "But we've all got a lot to be thankful for."

The Lakers traded backup center Chris Mihm to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2013.

Lakers center Andrew Bynum is expected to be out another six to 10 weeks recovering from a torn ligament in his right knee.

The Lakers need another body to allow Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom to rest.

Powell allowed that to happen against the Warriors by playing his best game of the season.

"Just an opportunity, baby," Powell said. "Just sticking with what I do. Just go hard. That's all I do. I don't have no plan to go here and be like, 'I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that.' I just give it everything I've got and let the chips fall where they may."

He sees this as his opportunity to contribute with the Mihm trade and the Bynum injury.

If he's asked to play, Powell said he'll step in and do his job.

"I think that all falls with the coaches," Powell said. "Whatever they feel is best for the situation, we all as a team just have to be ready and make sure each one of us do our job."

Powell signed with the Lakers as a free agent unsure what his role would be.

All he knew was that he would use his 6-foot-9, 240-pound body to the best of his ability.

"I'm just looking at it as an opportunity," Powell said, "just continue to get better and find my role and make sure I continue to do what I'm supposed to be doing on the court."
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http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-lakersweb20-2009feb20,0,2522532.story

I love Josh Powell. I've said all along this guy needs more playing time, and he showed that last night. He hustles, rebounds, and hits open shots. What's there not to like? I love his attitude as well. This is why I loved the Mihm trade, more minutes for Josh!

Mamba · Feb 19, 2009

Powell is everything Kwame could've been. Powell is a major upgrade over Ronny. I <3 Powell.

huevonkiller · Feb 19, 2009

This dude is a freaking bargain.

Mamba · Feb 19, 2009

I love his tenacity and toughness. He got chippy with a little bit of the Celtics' players. He didn't back down.

Legacy · Feb 19, 2009

Ronny > Powell

Powell is good though. He sucked with the Warriors when he first entered the league. Nice to see him play well with Bynum out.

La Bomba · Feb 19, 2009

Powell could probably start for the Grizzlies...like no joke.

Really Lost One · Feb 19, 2009

Legacy said: ↑

Ronny > Powell

Powell is good though. He sucked with the Warriors when he first entered the league. Nice to see him play well with Bynum out.
Click to expand...

Troll.

Master Shake · Feb 19, 2009

Legacy trolling...not something new.

Powell is a beast man, he's gonna be good. I just hope he can get some more minutes.

Mamba · Feb 19, 2009

I think Powell has a future with this team. Phil loves him.

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