**The Official Karl-Anthony Towns Thread**

[mondry]

Let's just have 2 batmans cause towns and wiggins will both be so bad ass

[Flight 22]

Let's just have 2 batmans cause towns and wiggins will both be so bad ass

Maybe throw Lavine in there too. Unfortunately I don't see him ever being a good defender, but the rest of the core will more than make up for it, especially if he lives up to his potential. I won't be surprised if he's averaging 20ppg & 5apg in the next two years.

[Klomp]

Good interview with the rooks

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXjvx-lbXAQ[/youtube]

[mcd6184]

The "worst" comparison I heard for Okafor's counterpart in the NBA was Al Jefferson.

The worst comparison I heard for Towns was Olowokandi.

It went both ways.

That was what one poster? It barely went both ways.

I don't think it was one poster arguing for Okafor over Towns in that thread. Maybe one poster making ridiculous comparisons, but I don't really remember any Olowokandi level comparisons for Okafor.

My argument was that I can't believe people wanted Okafor over Towns. I didn't bash Okafor.

It's funny how sensitive people are.

I believe I made one of the Olowakandi comparisons. I wasn't comparing their games, but the way people were hyping Towns and bringing up the old hype Kandi got to try to reign in some people's overexubrance.

Still love Okafor, admit Towns is better fit for Pups.

Love what Okafor is showing in Summer League, numbers aside, he has actually shown a turnaround jumper more in the couple Summer League games than he did all year at Duke. It's going to be fun to track their careers, please bball gods, let it not be a Durant/Oden thing where one or the other falls off the earth!

[Devilzsidewalk]

Let's just have 2 batmans cause towns and wiggins will both be so bad ass

Lets try to work a Human Torch in there too.

[Hogified05]

I have a question about Towns. Why does he play his international ball for the Dominican Republic? Was he born there or something? I can see his mom looks to be Dominican but his dad looks very American. And from what I know about him Karl is every bit American, raised in New Jersey. I know he was coming up in the Dominican team which makes sense I suppose when he was young to get good experience. Maybe he didn't know if he would be good enough to play for the US when he got older (sorta like Kyrie with Australia, I think he played some with them, but got good enough that the US wanted him).

I saw an interview (don't remember where) fairly recently were he was emphatically stated he would play for the Dominican going forward. Guy can do what he wants, but it seems silly to me. He is going have a much much heavier workload with the Dominican national team then the USA. And it seems silly because he is an American, just because his mom is Dominican. I mean maybe he identifies himself more Dominican, maybe he has a lot of family there, I don't know.

You got Towns playing for Domician and Wiggins (I assume) will start playing for Canada soon. I hope they don't get over used. Really want to see them fully healthy with you guys. Looking forward to watching them.

(That's my concern with Hezonja, guy is probably going play every chance he can with the Croatian national team.)

[Klomp]

I have a question about Towns. Why does he play his international ball for the Dominican Republic? Was he born there or something? I can see his mom looks to be Dominican but his dad looks very American. And from what I know about him Karl is every bit American, raised in New Jersey. I know he was coming up in the Dominican team which makes sense I suppose when he was young to get good experience. Maybe he didn't know if he would be good enough to play for the US when he got older (sorta like Kyrie with Australia, I think he played some with them, but got good enough that the US wanted him).

I saw an interview (don't remember where) fairly recently were he was emphatically stated he would play for the Dominican going forward. Guy can do what he wants, but it seems silly to me. He is going have a much much heavier workload with the Dominican national team then the USA. And it seems silly because he is an American, just because his mom is Dominican. I mean maybe he identifies himself more Dominican, maybe he has a lot of family there, I don't know.

You got Towns playing for Domician and Wiggins (I assume) will start playing for Canada soon. I hope they don't get over used. Really want to see them fully healthy with you guys. Looking forward to watching them.

From 2012:

The door to this opportunity was opened last summer, when Towns played with the Dominican Republic's U-17 team. The experience not only led to a tryout with the U-19 team in May, but also introduced Towns to the rich heritage of his mother's homeland.

"Last year when he visited the Dominican Republic for the first time and saw how kind the people in the country are, he knew he wanted to represent them, which means a lot to me," Jacqueline said.

http://espn.go.com/high-school/boys-basketball/story/_/id/8001784/new-jersey-native-karl-towns-jr-16-play-dominican-republic-olympic-qualifying

[Piecake]

I have a question about Towns. Why does he play his international ball for the Dominican Republic? Was he born there or something? I can see his mom looks to be Dominican but his dad looks very American. And from what I know about him Karl is every bit American, raised in New Jersey. I know he was coming up in the Dominican team which makes sense I suppose when he was young to get good experience. Maybe he didn't know if he would be good enough to play for the US when he got older (sorta like Kyrie with Australia, I think he played some with them, but got good enough that the US wanted him).

I saw an interview (don't remember where) fairly recently were he was emphatically stated he would play for the Dominican going forward. Guy can do what he wants, but it seems silly to me. He is going have a much much heavier workload with the Dominican national team then the USA. And it seems silly because he is an American, just because his mom is Dominican. I mean maybe he identifies himself more Dominican, maybe he has a lot of family there, I don't know.

You got Towns playing for Domician and Wiggins (I assume) will start playing for Canada soon. I hope they don't get over used. Really want to see them fully healthy with you guys. Looking forward to watching them.

From 2012:

The door to this opportunity was opened last summer, when Towns played with the Dominican Republic's U-17 team. The experience not only led to a tryout with the U-19 team in May, but also introduced Towns to the rich heritage of his mother's homeland.

"Last year when he visited the Dominican Republic for the first time and saw how kind the people in the country are, he knew he wanted to represent them, which means a lot to me," Jacqueline said.

http://espn.go.com/high-school/boys-basketball/story/_/id/8001784/new-jersey-native-karl-towns-jr-16-play-dominican-republic-olympic-qualifying

I am kinda curious if he will continue that relationship going forward due to Dominican Republic's deportation of Haitian illegal immigrants, people of Haitian decent who were born in The Dominican Republic, and the seemingly racist (against people with a darker skin tone) motives, at least partly, of this move.

[Saltine]

I am kinda curious if he will continue that relationship going forward due to Dominican Republic's deportation of Haitian illegal immigrants, people of Haitian decent who were born in The Dominican Republic, and the seemingly racist (against people with a darker skin tone) motives, at least partly, of this move.

Being an American, I'm sure he fully supports United States robotic drones murdering civilians all over the world as well... Don't be a dick.

[Piecake]

I am kinda curious if he will continue that relationship going forward due to Dominican Republic's deportation of Haitian illegal immigrants, people of Haitian decent who were born in The Dominican Republic, and the seemingly racist (against people with a darker skin tone) motives, at least partly, of this move.

Being an American, I'm sure he fully supports United States robotic drones murdering civilians all over the world as well... Don't be a dick.

Yea, because being curious if he will continue that relationship is certainly the language someone uses when they are being judgmental... I am certainly being judgmental of the DR, but not of KAT.

The key difference between your example and this is that if he wasn't a well-known basketball player and if he was born in the DR then he would likely experienced the same sort of blatant and overt racism that black people in the DR are facing right now. I think that might make it personal. Now, I am sure someone will bring up racism in America, but it seems that the racism in the DR, going by news articles, is more widespread, popular, vile, and blatant. Also, more or less government supported.

[Jkwo]

I like how Towns is so vocal and out going. He can take away some of that franchise player burden off of Wiggins.

Agreed.

Unfortunately, I still have this sitting in the back of my mind.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAOV5rAV3Uk[/youtube]

Thankfully, we have the rookie scale/extensions to at least delay for a few more years, if it ever were to come down to this.

Kentucky fan here.

Can personally guarantee that this will never happen with Karl.

We've had a lot of incredible, awesome kids come through UK - and at a crazy rate over the past 6 years with Cal.
We love them all like our sons in the state, and it's hard to pick favorites when you are as crazy about them as we are.

He's our 3rd #1 pick in 6 years, and we've had a zillion lottery picks over the decades, and many of them were stellar young men, but...

Karl is different. He's special. We have lots of players who spend time in cancer wards, etc - Karl might has well have had his own room.
Lots of players who get extra sessions in the gym whenever possible - but when they do, Karl is always there first and leaves after.
He stops to kiss every baby, shake every hand, and is one of the favorite players of every fan who has ever met him, from the creepers who ambush him outside the player dorm in the morning on the way to class, to the old grandmas with no teeth who came from way out in the country to grab his cheeks violently, to the little kids, they are all warmly greeted.
And nobody works harder.

Along with a couple others (Nerlens Noel is another example), he's about the friendliest player we've ever had at the school.
And his work ethic is in the very top tier, too.

We've had a lot of awesome players come through - just wanted to assure you all that whatever Karl's ceiling is, he'll reach it, barring injury. He's not gonna be Anthony Davis, but he'll be a perennial All-Star candidate, quite possible HOFer, excellent two way player who is the polar opposite of a locker room cancer - a unifier - a glue guy who is your first option on offense.

With Garnett mentoring him, too? Man - doesn't get much better.

[breatnach]

(That's my concern with Hezonja, guy is probably going play every chance he can with the Croatian national team.)

I know where you're coming from. Europeans in general, and ex-Yugoslavians (Serbs, Croats, Bosnians and everything in between) tend to be ferociously patriotic. Unfortunately, there are so many international tournaments for Europeans and they often feel pressured to represent their country (or some may do so because of the honour on their own accord.)
Every year we hope Rubio will stay and improve his game instead of playing some tournament and with Pekovic, any minute he's on the court he's an ankle injury waiting to happen, so we hope he saves his minutes for the Wolves.

Luckily for us (KAT and Wiggins), the competition isn't quite as fierce, with the US being the favourite anyway and also the travelling time and jetlag not as bad within North America.

[eyeteeth]

I am kinda curious if he will continue that relationship going forward due to Dominican Republic's deportation of Haitian illegal immigrants, people of Haitian decent who were born in The Dominican Republic, and the seemingly racist (against people with a darker skin tone) motives, at least partly, of this move.

Being an American, I'm sure he fully supports United States robotic drones murdering civilians all over the world as well... Don't be a dick.

Yea, because being curious if he will continue that relationship is certainly the language someone uses when they are being judgmental... I am certainly being judgmental of the DR, but not of KAT.

The key difference between your example and this is that if he wasn't a well-known basketball player and if he was born in the DR then he would likely experienced the same sort of blatant and overt racism that black people in the DR are facing right now. I think that might make it personal. Now, I am sure someone will bring up racism in America, but it seems that the racism in the DR, going by news articles, is more widespread, popular, vile, and blatant. Also, more or less government supported.

This is a tough situation, especially for a guy who has a good and generous personality. It is completely fair to ask how he'll handle it, though. From what I understand what's going on in DR is pretty awful.

[Saltine]

Being an American, I'm sure he fully supports United States robotic drones murdering civilians all over the world as well... Don't be a dick.

Yea, because being curious if he will continue that relationship is certainly the language someone uses when they are being judgmental... I am certainly being judgmental of the DR, but not of KAT.

The key difference between your example and this is that if he wasn't a well-known basketball player and if he was born in the DR then he would likely experienced the same sort of blatant and overt racism that black people in the DR are facing right now. I think that might make it personal. Now, I am sure someone will bring up racism in America, but it seems that the racism in the DR, going by news articles, is more widespread, popular, vile, and blatant. Also, more or less government supported.

This is a tough situation, especially for a guy who has a good and generous personality. It is completely fair to ask how he'll handle it, though. From what I understand what's going on in DR is pretty awful.

I don' t think it's fair.

They have politicians fanning racism. He's 19, he plays basketball, he doesn't actually live there. That just seems pretty dickish. His answering with the obvious, Racism sucks type message, may potentially lead to his mothers relatives having some issues, where they live. Racism is the official policy. I like the kid, potentially creating issues for him and his relatives, doesn't seem like such a nice thing to do to him, especially just to satisfy American egos.

[eyeteeth]

It does suck that he's just 19, but responding to racism has been a part of the NBA since the 70's. And growing up at this moment in American history he can hardly be blind or deaf to it. I certainly hope no reporters give him a hard time about it, that would be pretty harsh, but I do hope he at least gives some thought to it. Presumably many people in the DR are proud to have him represent. In time he could well be a force for good there. At the very least, it shows there is sometimes baggage when you decide to claim a cultural mantle. That's the way it goes.

[FinnTheHuman]

(That's my concern with Hezonja, guy is probably going play every chance he can with the Croatian national team.)

I know where you're coming from. Europeans in general, and ex-Yugoslavians (Serbs, Croats, Bosnians and everything in between) tend to be ferociously patriotic. Unfortunately, there are so many international tournaments for Europeans and they often feel pressured to represent their country (or some may do so because of the honour on their own accord.)
Every year we hope Rubio will stay and improve his game instead of playing some tournament and with Pekovic, any minute he's on the court he's an ankle injury waiting to happen, so we hope he saves his minutes for the Wolves.

Luckily for us (KAT and Wiggins), the competition isn't quite as fierce, with the US being the favourite anyway and also the travelling time and jetlag not as bad within North America.

I wouldn't say it's about some above the average patriotism, I'd say it's about the state of the basketball market in Europe vs USA.

The thing is, in the USA you have college and NBA teams to admire as a kid who aspires to be a pro. You don't need the NT to confirm your value. In Europe, getting to the national team means the ultimate confirmation. Some players even earn big contracts by breaking out while playing for the national team. Your first basketball viewing memories are about your national team. Even tho that is beginning to fade more and more, it still isn't the thing of the past so even the players who reach the NBA keep the remnant of that mindset.

[Saltine]

It does suck that he's just 19, but responding to racism has been a part of the NBA since the 70's. And growing up at this moment in American history he can hardly be blind or deaf to it. I certainly hope no reporters give him a hard time about it, that would be pretty harsh, but I do hope he at least gives some thought to it. Presumably many people in the DR are proud to have him represent. In time he could well be a force for good there. At the very least, it shows there is sometimes baggage when you decide to claim a cultural mantle. That's the way it goes.

That's true. But from what I've read the deportation is not viewed as a racial issue down there, it's marketed as "Law & Order" with a fair bit of nationalism tossed in. And it is quite popular. So you create a no win situation for the kid, which just seems wrong.

He either denounces the popular position of the DR's supreme court and citizens, or he's a racist. Or he's calling them racists for making Haitians move back to Haiti? The Twins beat reporters aren't asking their five guys who are actually from the DR about this, Miguel Sanó, Jorge Polanco, Eduardo Núñez, Danny Santana, and Ervin Santana... It's a no win scenario, which I don't think you should toss at a nice 19 year old, from Jersey.

Ask Kobe if he still enjoys raping women, that's far more fair, and deserved.

[Hogified05]

From 2012:

The door to this opportunity was opened last summer, when Towns played with the Dominican Republic's U-17 team. The experience not only led to a tryout with the U-19 team in May, but also introduced Towns to the rich heritage of his mother's homeland.

"Last year when he visited the Dominican Republic for the first time and saw how kind the people in the country are, he knew he wanted to represent them, which means a lot to me," Jacqueline said.

http://espn.go.com/high-school/boys-basketball/story/_/id/8001784/new-jersey-native-karl-towns-jr-16-play-dominican-republic-olympic-qualifying

That's cool and all. I don't know if it was mean in the same situation as him, a number 1 pick with the potential to play on the USA team I jump at that. Admiring your mother's homeland is cool, but he is American product. I could see if their was no chance he could make the USA team but in about 3 or 4 years he could be the starting center.

I am sorta torn on this. It's like for the World Cup when the German-American kids who are clearly German and grew up in Germany played for the US. I get it they have American in their blood, but it feels sort of like a fascade a little bit. But again it goes back to the German side being one of the best if not the best sides in the world year in and year out. Who knows if they would make the German team. Makes more sense in soccer I suppose because international competitions in soccer are a lot more important then in basketball. Plus if the Green kid or Brooks kid become a mega soccer stars they would benefit greatly from the US market.

Oh well, I guess I just can't wait until we get to Futurama standing and everyone is just representing the Earth.

[vagelis]

As i have told a lot of times before the draft Towns is not the best player of this draft.
He has nothing special in his game and I think it was a mistake to draft him as number one pick.
If he could not score more than 10 points in college how can he score more points in nba?
Okafor is a way better player. There is no comparison for me. Okafor is very talented and very strong. In my opinion he can definetly be like dunkan or even better. Towns has a lot work to do to become a competitive guy in nba.
My opinion is to trade him as long as people think he is the best player of the draft.
In my opinion it was a draft with many bad selections. How could Stanley Johnson go to 8 or Justice Winslow to 10? I mean they deserved to be selected in the first picks.
My favorite player of this draft was Porzingis

[Murphs56]

As i have told a lot of times before the draft Towns is not the best player of this draft.
He has nothing special in his game and I think it was a mistake to draft him as number one pick.
If he could not score more than 10 points in college how can he score more points in nba?
Okafor is a way better player. There is no comparison for me. Okafor is very talented and very strong. In my opinion he can definetly be like dunkan or even better. Towns has a lot work to do to become a competitive guy in nba.
My opinion is to trade him as long as people think he is the best player of the draft.
In my opinion it was a draft with many bad selections. How could Stanley Johnson go to 8 or Justice Winslow to 10?
My favorite player of this draft was Porzingis