From True Hoops:

Laker forward Josh Powell played just 73 minutes during these playoffs, but he more than earned the sense of victory and relief that comes with his first championship ring. Needing money to support his family, Powell left North Carolina State in 2003. Long, skilled, athletic and tough he was so impressive at some of his workouts that he was briefly discussed as a lottery pick — although he ultimately went undrafted, and has played for several team overseas in the NBA in the interim.

One of his workouts was for the Washington Wizards, where Patrick Ewing was then an assistant coach.

After the workout, Ewing stunned Powell, by telling him that he would never make the NBA.

Powell has not forgotten. “Every time I see him,” he says, he remembers the words that once cut him. “It was just motivation. I can’t do nothing but respect it, if that’s his opinion. It just drove me to go hard. It drove me to stay hungry.”

About then, some NBA personnel came through the champagne-soaked Laker locker room with the gleaming NBA championship trophy. Powell finishes his thought, reaching for the trophy: “Everything worked out for the best … now let me see that thing right there …”

Scoreboard: Josh Powell has a ring.