Def Pen recently had a chance to talk to Josh Powell. Josh is a current member of the Houston Rockets and formerly was a member of some overseas teams.
Now when you search the name “Josh Powell” a few things pop up. First, is the story of a disgusting man in Utah who did terrible things to his family.
Ok, let’s refine that search. Try Josh Powell NBA. There you go. You’ll find a bunch of stuff on different websites on the surface. But it’s deeper than just stats and a quick information page.
A pretty solid NBA and overseas career filled with a ton of success. Josh has done things, met people and played in places only people can dream of. Ups and Downs, drama and success are all buried into a career of a man who should be celebrated.
And Josh, more than ever at this stage of his life, knows it. Powell is a humble man and he’ll be the first to tell you that any opportunity he gets might not be given to him tomorrow.
Early Beginnings
Born in Charleston, South Carolina and out of Riverdale High School in Georgia Josh is a southern boy the whole way and you can tell the minute he opens his mouth. Standing at 6 foot 9, weighing in at 225 pounds, the big man graduated from high school and went to NC State to play under coach Herb Sendek. Coach Sendek has collected a combined record of 395-276 over his coaching career and had the opportunity to coach Powell. The coaching style is nothing that Josh had experienced at that time.
“It was an interesting time during my career. I went through a lot of ups and downs and playing for that team and being a part of NC State was a blessing for me. It was extremely different because we had to play underneath a system, which was a Princeton system. But when I was younger it required a more athletic type of player. To make plays, move the ball and all that which is a great thing. Because of Coach Sendek and a situation that happened, it motivated me and drove me to push even harder and chase my dreams. I will thank him for that.”
Josh went undrafted out of NC State after a successful career and decided to start his career over in Russia. A nice chunk of his career was spent overseas between Russia, Italy and the WBA. From 2003-2005 and then in 2005, Powell got his chance. A standout at NC State, Powell’s two seasons as a member of the Wolfpack he averaged 9.7 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game in his collegiate career. He appeared in 65 games, and notably stood out as a sophomore averaging 12.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 2002-03.
After going undrafted in 2003, Powell went on to play with four different international teams. Then one day, a Texas team in blue picked up the phone and called a man playing in the WBA at the time for the Southern Crescent Lightning.
Headed To Big D
Powell got a call from the Dallas Mavericks, for him, it was a blessing.
“I’m very thankful for Avery Johnson, He gave me my first chance. So for me, that means the world. If it wasn’t for him i wouldn’t ever have a chance in the league.”
The 2005-06 Mavericks team was Josh’s first chance to be on an NBA team. The Mavs brought him in at the time to develop him under Nowitzki and he cherished every minute of it. Including being a part of the team that made the 2006 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.
“Oh man, that’s just a blessing. It was just AMAZING! To be a part of that team, and to know that we were so close we were and I could have 3 rings now. Especially just starting my career in the league and to be a part of that and see that so early in my career. Ya know a lot of guys play 15,16 years and never even get one chance.”
Powell contributed to a Mavericks team that was lead by a player in Dirk Nowitzki who was just beginning his climb to stardom.
“To be able to play along a guy like Dirk, with his work ethic, seeing him and being a part of his work, seeing him and being a part of his workouts was just amazing. It was one of my first years in the league and he’s a cool guy to be around he’s just an amazing person.”
Big Upset Out West
Josh Powell then left the Mavericks, went to the D-League to play with the Ft.Worth Flyers, was picked up by the Indiana Pacers and then went on to be a part of a team that many NBA fans and experts say was involved in the biggest NBA Playoff upset.
The 2006-07 Golden State Warriors sneaked into the playoffs by finishing the season with a 16-5 record. It didn’t look too good for Golden State coming out of the All-Star break, they got their first win right after All-Star Weekend but they went right into a six game losing steak, losing all six games by an average of 15.1 points per game. From then on, it was time to change the pace and the Warriors didn’t disappoint.
And for Powell, the atmosphere and the team provided a memorable experience.
“That’s probably one of the funnest times I’ve had because we went from being out of the playoffs and went 16-5 to finish off the season in order to get into the playoffs. Just that energy in Oakland, the fans in Golden State were unreal. You talk about fun, because we were runnin’ and gunnin’, playin’ small ball. Being able to pull off arguably the biggest upset ever and for me against my former team, it was something else. Really fun times.”
California Love
After his time in Golden State, the journeyman stayed in California, had a small stint with the Clippers and then went on to be a part of, for him, the biggest blessing in his career.
The Los Angeles Lakers needed a big man to help get some minutes off the bench in 2008. Powell was happy to be a part of the team who was coached by Phil Jackson and his triangle offense.
“The triangle is one of those things where you got to have certain people to fit that mold. You got to have play-makers, guys that can score, pass, make the right cuts with certain reads. That’s what makes the triangle a beautiful thing. When it’s played right, its a hard offense to guard. You got to be able to know all about the defense, you got to be able to know where everybody is at. It helped me develop my game, I have to know how to shoot, how to set-up pick and pops and how to play off what other guys are doing.”
For Powell, playing in the triangle offense developed his game, beyond just the way Powell came up in the league as a bruiser down low, Powell worked hard to perfect his craft and develop a mid-range pick and pop shooter.
“Honestly, I’m a late bloomer when it comes to my game but when I work on my game, I always try to add something too it. When i was in college I was more of a player down in the block. As i played more and more I figured I need to develop that jump-shot. The jump-shot is the key to longevity. With me working really really hard on it, I fell into that role. When you get into the NBA you got to find a niche. So when I wasn’t getting any touches down on the block, even though I can finish and do all these other things, the pick and pop kind of happened for me. When I figured out I could get my shot off like that I kinda stuck to it. There’s so many guys when they get to the NBA, they find something that they’re good at and stick to it. Whether it’s rebounding, shooting, pick and roll. When you find it you got to stick to it and be really good at it.”
His stint with the Lakers went from 2008-2010, his longest current tenure with any NBA team. Powell played solid minutes during both seasons with the Lake-show, playing in 60 regular season games in both seasons as well as being on the team for the back-to-back championships. Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher were all keys to those teams and Josh reminisces on his time spent with some of the guys.
Kobe Bryant especially made an impact on his career.
“Kobe Bryant is amazing man. A lot of the time he’ll go misunderstood because of his competitive nature and because he wants to win so bad. A lot of times people mistake that for the wrong thing because they just don’t understand and don’t get it. That guy don’t like to lose for anything. I remember we would play checkers on flights and he’d go crazy if he lost. I’d talk some trash and he’d be like ‘Ok, bet, lets go again’, he’s a straight up competitor.”
Off the court, Kobe made an impact on Josh and how hard someone has to work to be great.
“I learned a lot from him in those two years. On and Off the court. I was able to watch him day in and day out. The most amazing thing people don’t get to see is his practice. That’s the most amazing thing to watch instead of the games. He’s literally at another level at all times and always wants to make everyone better.”
Pau Gasol also helped out Josh in his time with the Lakers, spending close time with him.
“You’re talkin’ about a future Hall of Famer. Pau doesn’t get a lot of credit that he deserves. A lot of people got to understand who he was in Memphis, before LA. Still considering the guy he was in LA. You have to play along side other guys and fit in. He went from being the man on his team to being a part of something bigger. Pau’s game is something that always fits wherever he plays and he has to figure out a way to make it work and he does that. I respect Pau a lot and I’ve learned a lot from him, just a great guy who doesn’t get his due.”
Derek Fisher, current coach of the New York Knicks, who was also a coach in his own part as a player on the Lakers and helped Josh learn during his time with the Lakers.
“Congratulations to Derek, couldn’t happen to a better guy. I’m anxious to see how to Knicks team is going to turn out. The progression as time goes forward. You still have a powerful mind in Phil and D-fish knows a lot about the game. He’s a coach on the floor and he’s been around for a long time, the coaching is in his blood. I’m happy for him and I hope some good things come from New York”.
His time with the Lakers was a wonderful one and Josh just sees it as one big blessing.
“I’m forever thankful to every opportunity I’ve had in my career. The Lakers gave me a chance and I made the most of it. I was surrounded by wonderful people and it was amazing to me. It was a blessing for sure. To play with guys like Kobe, D-Fish, Pau and being coached under a guy like Phil Jackson was wonderful. To be able to have two rings during my time there was great. Winning an NBA ring, is something people dream of and I had a chance and I received two.”
World Traveler
Josh’s success in the NBA with the Lakers translated in stint with the Hawks for the 2011-12 season. He went on to leave the NBA and do a big move that took his career overseas that just happened to him by chance.
“There really wasn’t no decision, that was just all God. The first time i went was because of the collective bargaining agreement, and I wasn’t just going to sit around and wait. The following year I went to San Antonio and got released after I thought I had a good training camp but it just didn’t work out and then I signed with Olympiacos. Turned out to be a good year with them, winning the Euroleague championship. It was my first time paying Euroleague competition and it was a cool experience. Last year went to training camp with the Knicks, got released by them and then i went back to China, went to the Philippines and then got the call from the Rockets to play with them at the end of last season.”
The jump around though for Josh, from country to country, isn’t something he feels like is a burden. Powell knows that anything can happen at any time and is blessed to be able to be around for the ride.
“I’m just thankful. The way I grew up, where I’m from and with everything I’ve had to face in my career and just growing up period. It’s just been a blessing and I kind of just play and allow God to just do what he does. A lot of it has to do with timing and sometimes there’s a plan for other things and you just got to walk that journey. Maybe it wasn’t meant for me to be a part of the NBA at the time but I don’t know. I just have to continue to do what i have to do and work hard.”
Powell’s experience in Greece with Olympiacos was unmatched. In his lone season with Olympiacos he experienced something he wasn’t quite expecting in a professional basketball landscape.
“I mean I love the NBA, I love the fans and the atmosphere but that overseas atmosphere is like no other. You could imagine how the college atmosphere is and it’s so much crazier. When I was over in Greece playing with Olympiacos and we had about 12 to 15,000 fans in the stands, you got a whole section beating on the drums and chanting and you have like little bombs and flare guns going off inside the arena, it’s crazy. It’s unbelievable. If you get a chance man, look up Olympiacos fans and you’ll see what I’m talking about.”
And indeed it is. Check out the Fans during that 2012 Championship game for Olympiacos. Insane stuff, check out the video below.
Coming Home
Josh’s return to the NBA happened last season. He was in the Philippines when the Houston Rockets called and Josh’s career returned to the NBA, coming back full circle.
Josh was excited beyond belief to return to the NBA and play along side some of his favorite players.
“When i got that call when i was in the Philippines, I was just overwhelmed and so excited man. It was just emotional call for me and i was extremely happy and i know how hard i’ve been working. So happy to be able to come back home and have an opportunity to come back home and be closer to my loved ones and my family. To be able to perform in that arena and that setting again is amazing. I’m happy to be on this team and be playing alongside Dwight Howard, who is like my bother and is a close, close, close friend of mine, were like family. To play alongside James Harden, Trevor Ariza, who’s another close friend of mine and Jason Terry. A lot of those guys, we played together on teams before. It’s more than just the two guys, its a whole bunch of guys and were all so excited to play together and do great things”.
For him, working under a legendary big men in the Rockets organization with both head coach Kevin McHale and Hakeem Olajuwon.
“Coach McHale is a really great guy, he’s got that old school mentality, and he’s a really good coach. He’s got that grit, that grind and always wants to make all his players better. He’s a people person and always gets the best out of his players and I’m really looking forward to this year. But for me it’s also amazing being able to work with him and Hakeem Olajuwon and be close with them in that aspect.”
The Rockets are coming in with a chip on their shoulders and they can be a possible contender out West and Josh is excited to be a part of this.
“A lot of that stuff is important, as a guy who’s been there before and that’s a big piece of the puzzle. Keeping everybody healthy and spending time together, practicing together, learn and grow throughout the season. This is an exciting time for all of us. A lot of us have chip on our shoulder, especially how the season ended last year. So were just working our butts off so far and were having really great days, staying positive and keep working hard and trying to get better each day.”
Right now, personally for Josh, he’s working on a lot of different things, but one thing in particular, Josh is trying to make an impact off the court with his game.
“For me, honestly I’ve been working on my body. AS I’ve gotten older, that’s the main thing i focused on. Being stronger and still being able to be explosive, being in great shape man is the two biggest things for me. I’m still working on my jump shot, my post game and do all those things but the most important thing is being in great shape. I picked that up early from guys like Kobe and D-Fish. They don’t play 5 on 5 as much, well what’re they doing? They’re staying in that gym, working on their body. When they come in camp, they’re out running everybody and staying in shape and it’s been good for me. I’m still working on my game all around, passing, shooting, pickin’ and poppin’ but my body has been my main focus.”
This season Josh thinks the Rockets are going to do some big things.
“I think this year, we’re gonna surprise a lot of people. For myself personally I’m going to continue to do what i do. Whether it’s on the court or off the court, it doesn’t matter. I’m a team guy and I’ll do whatever it takes. I’m a team guy and I’m excited for what we’re gonna be doing.”
At the end of the day something can happen tomorrow to change everything and Josh knows that. Throughout his whole career filled with ups and downs Josh feels that he is very blessed. According to Josh, it all couldn’t have been possible without his favorite teammate of all time, even though it isn’t one you might expect.
“We gotta start being more appreciative. Things can be a lot harder, things can be a lot different. I know me and my journey, I am grateful to be playing the game of basketball throughout the 12 years I’ve been around. Not many people can say they’ve been able to play for that long. I’ve had some great teammates. I’ve played alongside Kobe, Dirk, Jermaine O’Neal, Baron Davis, Pau, Lamar Odom, Jerry Stackhouse. I didn’t play with the Knicks long but i did enjoy playing with Carmelo and Amar’e and those guys. Same thing in San Antonio with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili. No disrespect to anyone else, but I’ve been able to rub elbows and learn a lot. I’ve been a part of a lot. My favorite teammate of all time though, is Jesus. He’s the greatest teammate and without him, none of this would’ve been possible.”
