**The Official Karl-Anthony Towns Thread**

[Killboard]

Jim Pete said something i've tried to say on these forums about KAT's defense.

He said that it's unfair to place all the blame on KAT for our defense because he's TRYING. He's helping out his teammate's man, but no one is switching onto KAT's man when he does and it looks bad on KAT

He said KAT does deserve some blame, but if he comes out to help let's say Wiggs or Teague's man, they need to switch onto KAT's man and put a body on him.

I've seen too many times where KAT helps out on a PG that blew by Rose or Teague, the guard misses the layup, but KAT's man gets a putback or at least an uncontested board.

Everyone deserves blame & i'm glad KAT has looked super active trying to be a better defender and not just being all talk.

Towns could improve his defense if he stopped trying to help anyone else. It's rarely helping. Stay with your guy, let the better anticipating players do the helping and switching if Thibs even lets them swtich. Don't expect others to be able to track his late reactions and then switch to his guy with the same single big step that he makes.

So that would stop him from being out of position with the excuse that he was "trying to help others". Now let's try to solve why he's taking his big frame and moving out of the way when someone is slashing in.

Spoiler:

To his credit, very recently (last game or two) he's been showing us blocks near the rim that were nonexistant for a long time. Maybe now with his new contract and scary Jimmy gone he feels more safe doing so. The more the merrier.

Stay with his man? lol

Read help defense 101 man...

[Rookie-Mistake]

Has turned the corner, I think his D has matured. Conscious effort to rebound, we absolutely build around him and Andrew for this to work out. He looks happy, compared to the start of the season. Small sample size, but the last 3 games he has shown he can play D as our C.

[Jedzz]

Read help defense 101 man...

That's what I*'m saying. I don't want him involved in it.

[Jedzz]

Has turned the corner, I think his D has matured. Conscious effort to rebound, we absolutely build around him and Andrew for this to work out. He looks happy, compared to the start of the season. Small sample size, but the last 3 games he has shown he can play D as our C.

He is showing it now and I do appreciate it. He had to for this to work and he is showing it.

[Crazy-Canuck]

Love his defensive intensity the last couple of games.

[TheZachAttack]

Towns since the Butler trade's numbers are as following:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
33.7 MPG
21.6 points/game
14 rebounds/game
2.7 assists/game
1.7 TO forced/game (STL + BLKs)
4.3 TO given/game
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
50% 2FG% on 11.3 2FGA/game (61-102)
39% 3FG% on 4 3FGA/game (14-36)
84% FT% on 4.2 FTA/game (32-38)
62.7% TS%
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Per 36:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
23 points/game
15 rebounds/game
3 assists/game
2 TO force/game
4.6 TO given/game
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Basically, our guy has been killing it with 23/15/3 per 36 on 50/39/84 splits (63 TS%). He's been a little bit down in terms of his FG percentages and the turnovers are a little bit up, but his offensive rebounding and passing numbers have been up! It's great to see him really take the lead while Butler has been gone...further that doesn't include his Kings game in the last Butler game.

Still only taking 16 shots per 36...I'd like to see that get to 20 or so! The crazy thing is despite this being a down stretch for Towns offensively that TS% would rank 6th in the league among players playing 20+ MPG and shooting 1+ 3 PT per game. Of all players playing 20+ MPG Towns would rank 13th.

Including the Kings game Town's last 10 games:

34 mpg

23.3 pts/game
14.5 rbd/game
3 ast/game
2 TO force/game
4.5 TO give/game

with shooting splits of

60% 2FG%
40% 3FG%
87% FT%
63 TS%

Per 36 that's close to 25/15/3

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Love seeing Towns post really solid offensive production combined with increased defensive intensity.

[CometGM]

I really liking what i'm seeing from Towns this season. He's not stat/rebound chasing. There must've been a good open talk with all the teammates. The right people are getting to his head. Doing the little things better and playing more Duncan-like. The league will be in trouble soon now that the offense is running through him.

[Killboard]

I really liking what i'm seeing from Towns this season. He's not stat/rebound chasing. There must've been a good open talk with all the teammates. The right people are getting to his head. Doing the little things better and playing more Duncan-like. The league will be in trouble soon now that the offense is running through him.

Are you saying he didnt TRY on defense before?

Go back to watch his Kentucky games.

[KGdaBom]

KAT is great and we all know it. However, what are his chances of making an all NBA team this year and getting the super max contract. Players he is contending with include.

Joel Embiid. Super good and super popular.
Marc Gasol. If he keeps playing like he is playing he will be robbed if he doesn't get a spot.
Anthony Davis. He will get a spot and is the Center for the Pelicans. He could be placed at PF though.
Nikola Vucevic. Playing absolutely lights out.
Clint Capela. Dominant.
Blake Griffin. Is a PF, but could be placed at Center.
Rudy Gobert. The absolute Defender.

If KAT keeps playing like last night of course he will get in. However, he has had some ups and downs even since the Trade.
It will be tough for him to get a spot, but if he does that will mean he is playing very well and despite the extra cost good news for the Wolves.

[life_saver]

KAT is great and we all know it. However, what are his chances of making an all NBA team this year and getting the super max contract. Players he is contending with include.

Joel Embiid. Super good and super popular.
Marc Gasol. If he keeps playing like he is playing he will be robbed if he doesn't get a spot.
Anthony Davis. He will get a spot and is the Center for the Pelicans. He could be placed at PF though.
Nikola Vucevic. Playing absolutely lights out.
Clint Capela. Dominant.
Blake Griffin. Is a PF, but could be placed at Center.
Rudy Gobert. The absolute Defender.

If KAT keeps playing like last night of course he will get in. However, he has had some ups and downs even since the Trade.
It will be tough for him to get a spot, but if he does that will mean he is playing very well and despite the extra cost good news for the Wolves.

not really...he hasn't had much downs...his defense has been consistent for most part...the one game where he struggled offensively
was mainly against Marc Gasol...he will most likely make it if he continues this level. His Def WS ever since the trade has been 2nd among Centers only behind Steven Adams

[CometGM]

I really liking what i'm seeing from Towns this season. He's not stat/rebound chasing. There must've been a good open talk with all the teammates. The right people are getting to his head. Doing the little things better and playing more Duncan-like. The league will be in trouble soon now that the offense is running through him.

Are you saying he didnt TRY on defense before?

Go back to watch his Kentucky games.

I'm not saying that. I'm not even sure where you got that from.
Instead of being defensive, do you agree/disagree with what i'm saying?

[life_saver]

I really liking what i'm seeing from Towns this season. He's not stat/rebound chasing. There must've been a good open talk with all the teammates. The right people are getting to his head. Doing the little things better and playing more Duncan-like. The league will be in trouble soon now that the offense is running through him.

Are you saying he didnt TRY on defense before?

Go back to watch his Kentucky games.

I'm not saying that. I'm not even sure where you got that from.
Instead of being defensive, do you agree/disagree with what i'm saying?

I partly agree with you tbh...I don't think he was never really a rebound chaser but more of a block chaser on defense which used to affect his rim protection...now he is reading the game well and anticipating better...his problems in defense were always more on his reading of game rather than effort. I also feel KAT was sometimes left in no mans land before due to our lack of help defense...that's something which also looks much better due to the team switching lot more ever since the trade

[Klomp]

KAT is great and we all know it. However, what are his chances of making an all NBA team this year and getting the super max contract. Players he is contending with include.

Joel Embiid. Super good and super popular.
Marc Gasol. If he keeps playing like he is playing he will be robbed if he doesn't get a spot.
Anthony Davis. He will get a spot and is the Center for the Pelicans. He could be placed at PF though.
Nikola Vucevic. Playing absolutely lights out.
Clint Capela. Dominant.
Blake Griffin. Is a PF, but could be placed at Center.
Rudy Gobert. The absolute Defender.

If KAT keeps playing like last night of course he will get in. However, he has had some ups and downs even since the Trade.
It will be tough for him to get a spot, but if he does that will mean he is playing very well and despite the extra cost good news for the Wolves.

He'll get one of the spots, I have little doubt of that. Only thing that would affect it is injury.

I really don't think it'll be that difficult either. You bring up Davis at C, but Towns made all-NBA last year with Davis listed as a center. Capela has little to no chance, Vucevic less than that, and Griffin has even less of a chance to make it as a center.

Last year, the all-NBA voting went Davis, Embiid, Towns. I don't see that changing. Yes, Gasol is having a good season, but check out these per-100 possession numbers (to adjust for Memphis' pace).

Towns: 30.5 ppg (49.1 FG%, 41.2 3FG%, 87.8 FT%), 17.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.5 bpg, 1.4 spg
Gasol: 24.7 ppg (45.5 FG%, 39.6 3FG%, 72.5 FT%), 13.3 rpg, 5.6 apg, 2.0 bpg, 2.2 spg

Gasol has better assists and steals than Towns, but that's it.

[life_saver]

Capela Why do people keep bringing Capela when KAT despite having a rocky start to season is still having better season than Capela?

[Mattya]

The wrath of KAT if he doesn’t make All NBA.

[Killboard]

I really liking what i'm seeing from Towns this season. He's not stat/rebound chasing. There must've been a good open talk with all the teammates. The right people are getting to his head. Doing the little things better and playing more Duncan-like. The league will be in trouble soon now that the offense is running through him.

Are you saying he didnt TRY on defense before?

Go back to watch his Kentucky games.

I'm not saying that. I'm not even sure where you got that from.
Instead of being defensive, do you agree/disagree with what i'm saying?

Sorry, you lost me after "He's not stat/rebound chasing". He neved did that.

I watched KAT since when he was balling at Kentucky and the wolves had serious posibilities of drafting at the top. I battled Okafor fans and I always argued about KAT being a potential difference maker at NBA level as a defender. The team has been bad on defense for seasons. Thibs couldnt fix that after bringing 3 veterans last season and 160 games plus 3 offseasons. People pointed on KAT for being bad, dont care and be soft.

Obviously he is more experienced now, and I wont say he didnt improve as he just turned 23 YO last month, but if you watch the Rockets series, where people argued KAT was bad on defense and Capela owned him, he wasnt the culprit of every time Harden made lob passes to him, or Capela had an OReb after a Paul drive to the rim. The same with the start of the season when Nurkic or Gasol had good nights.

The thing is offensive sets are draw to put the ball handler in position to attack the big, in such a way the big must commit to them, but somebody has to body check the roll man (or close out on the Pop big if he dont roll). Covington has brought that. Wiggins is getting better as a late on this too. Maybe Towns is getting better but without a team support teams can exploit any defender on the league.

[KGdaBom]

KAT is great and we all know it. However, what are his chances of making an all NBA team this year and getting the super max contract. Players he is contending with include.

Joel Embiid. Super good and super popular.
Marc Gasol. If he keeps playing like he is playing he will be robbed if he doesn't get a spot.
Anthony Davis. He will get a spot and is the Center for the Pelicans. He could be placed at PF though.
Nikola Vucevic. Playing absolutely lights out.
Clint Capela. Dominant.
Blake Griffin. Is a PF, but could be placed at Center.
Rudy Gobert. The absolute Defender.

If KAT keeps playing like last night of course he will get in. However, he has had some ups and downs even since the Trade.
It will be tough for him to get a spot, but if he does that will mean he is playing very well and despite the extra cost good news for the Wolves.

He'll get one of the spots, I have little doubt of that. Only thing that would affect it is injury.

I really don't think it'll be that difficult either. You bring up Davis at C, but Towns made all-NBA last year with Davis listed as a center. Capela has little to no chance, Vucevic less than that, and Griffin has even less of a chance to make it as a center.

Last year, the all-NBA voting went Davis, Embiid, Towns. I don't see that changing. Yes, Gasol is having a good season, but check out these per-100 possession numbers (to adjust for Memphis' pace).

Towns: 30.5 ppg (49.1 FG%, 41.2 3FG%, 87.8 FT%), 17.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.5 bpg, 1.4 spg
Gasol: 24.7 ppg (45.5 FG%, 39.6 3FG%, 72.5 FT%), 13.3 rpg, 5.6 apg, 2.0 bpg, 2.2 spg

Gasol has better assists and steals than Towns, but that's it.

On the eye test when I have watched Towns and Gasol play Gasol has been better so far regardless of per 100 stats. Assists and Steals are important also. I think Gasol is a better team defender than Towns also. Vucevic is having his best statistical season. Vucevic doesn't get the credit he deserves. I think Towns can get a spot, but if it's a lock there is something wrong with that. Based on the season so far I would definitely have Gasol and Vucevic in ahead of him. Based on the remainder of the season I am expecting KAT to surpass both of them.

[life_saver]

KAT is great and we all know it. However, what are his chances of making an all NBA team this year and getting the super max contract. Players he is contending with include.

Joel Embiid. Super good and super popular.
Marc Gasol. If he keeps playing like he is playing he will be robbed if he doesn't get a spot.
Anthony Davis. He will get a spot and is the Center for the Pelicans. He could be placed at PF though.
Nikola Vucevic. Playing absolutely lights out.
Clint Capela. Dominant.
Blake Griffin. Is a PF, but could be placed at Center.
Rudy Gobert. The absolute Defender.

If KAT keeps playing like last night of course he will get in. However, he has had some ups and downs even since the Trade.
It will be tough for him to get a spot, but if he does that will mean he is playing very well and despite the extra cost good news for the Wolves.

He'll get one of the spots, I have little doubt of that. Only thing that would affect it is injury.

I really don't think it'll be that difficult either. You bring up Davis at C, but Towns made all-NBA last year with Davis listed as a center. Capela has little to no chance, Vucevic less than that, and Griffin has even less of a chance to make it as a center.

Last year, the all-NBA voting went Davis, Embiid, Towns. I don't see that changing. Yes, Gasol is having a good season, but check out these per-100 possession numbers (to adjust for Memphis' pace).

Towns: 30.5 ppg (49.1 FG%, 41.2 3FG%, 87.8 FT%), 17.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.5 bpg, 1.4 spg
Gasol: 24.7 ppg (45.5 FG%, 39.6 3FG%, 72.5 FT%), 13.3 rpg, 5.6 apg, 2.0 bpg, 2.2 spg

Gasol has better assists and steals than Towns, but that's it.

On the eye test when I have watched Towns and Gasol play Gasol has been better so far regardless of per 100 stats. Assists and Steals are important also. I think Gasol is a better team defender than Towns also. Vucevic is having his best statistical season. Vucevic doesn't get the credit he deserves. I think Towns can get a spot, but if it's a lock there is something wrong with that. Based on the season so far I would definitely have Gasol and Vucevic in ahead of him. Based on the remainder of the season I am expecting KAT to surpass both of them.

You also had Capela and Gobert ahead of him when they really aren't...the Centers/PFs who are ahead of KAT right now(based on this season so far) are AD, Embiid, Jokic, Gasol, Blake, Vucevic (?)....for rest of the season, as long as KAT stays healthy, he is likely gonna be ahead of Vucevic...Vucevic's current shooting percentages might not be sustainable for rest of the season as his current shooting splits are almost 20% higher than his last season & also his career splits

[CometGM]

Are you saying he didnt TRY on defense before?

Go back to watch his Kentucky games.

I'm not saying that. I'm not even sure where you got that from.
Instead of being defensive, do you agree/disagree with what i'm saying?

I partly agree with you tbh...I don't think he was never really a rebound chaser but more of a block chaser on defense which used to affect his rim protection...now he is reading the game well and anticipating better...his problems in defense were always more on his reading of game rather than effort. I also feel KAT was sometimes left in no mans land before due to our lack of help defense...that's something which also looks much better due to the team switching lot more ever since the trade

My concern with him has never been his lack of effort, for the most part.
It's the little things, which are subtle but can affect team chemistry. Things that unless you watch lots of games, you might not notice. Occasionally stealing a teammate's rebound (subtle but you can tell the difference). Block chasing, as you mentioned. Not wanting to be anywhere near when an opposing player is about to dunk. Whining to an exaggerated extent. Not making the pass to the open man (probably frustration for not being involved on O that much).

I'm not saying AT ALL that this happened on a daily basis and often, but it reared its head occasionally, especially his 3rd season. I attributed it to a combination of things (him being very young, his star rising extremely fast, outside influences, the Jimmy Butler situation). It's just small subtle attitude shifts, which he went through. There was a stretch last year where his defense and focus was elite. You saw the true potential.

To me it has always been just a matter of time until he starts maturing and doing the little things. As with any young player, the key is being consistent with it. He will eventually. I'm thinking sooner than later.

And you're absolutely right. There were times KAT was left in no mans land due to lack of help defense and lack of switching. Plenty of things have been making him look worse on defense and can get any player frustrated. My focus is more on his demeanor towards the little things and where his focus is as a person, especially when things are not going his way.

[KGdaBom]

He'll get one of the spots, I have little doubt of that. Only thing that would affect it is injury.

I really don't think it'll be that difficult either. You bring up Davis at C, but Towns made all-NBA last year with Davis listed as a center. Capela has little to no chance, Vucevic less than that, and Griffin has even less of a chance to make it as a center.

Last year, the all-NBA voting went Davis, Embiid, Towns. I don't see that changing. Yes, Gasol is having a good season, but check out these per-100 possession numbers (to adjust for Memphis' pace).

Towns: 30.5 ppg (49.1 FG%, 41.2 3FG%, 87.8 FT%), 17.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.5 bpg, 1.4 spg
Gasol: 24.7 ppg (45.5 FG%, 39.6 3FG%, 72.5 FT%), 13.3 rpg, 5.6 apg, 2.0 bpg, 2.2 spg

Gasol has better assists and steals than Towns, but that's it.

On the eye test when I have watched Towns and Gasol play Gasol has been better so far regardless of per 100 stats. Assists and Steals are important also. I think Gasol is a better team defender than Towns also. Vucevic is having his best statistical season. Vucevic doesn't get the credit he deserves. I think Towns can get a spot, but if it's a lock there is something wrong with that. Based on the season so far I would definitely have Gasol and Vucevic in ahead of him. Based on the remainder of the season I am expecting KAT to surpass both of them.

You also had Capela and Gobert ahead of him when they really aren't...the Centers/PFs who are ahead of KAT right now(based on this season so far) are AD, Embiid, Jokic, Gasol, Blake, Vucevic (?)....for rest of the season, as long as KAT stays healthy, he is likely gonna be ahead of Vucevic...Vucevic's current shooting percentages might not be sustainable for rest of the season as his current shooting splits are almost 20% higher than his last season & also his career splits

I never in any way had Capela or Gobert ahead of KAT. I said he was competing with them. I did accidentally leave Jokic off my list. KAT is not a lock to make an all NBA team and he shouldn't be. I hope by the end of the year he is a lock.