Not only does Karl-Anthony Towns look great, as he has since the All-Star break, Saunders has the Wolves going to him on almost every possession. He was left as a bystander too often in the past, as with last season's first-round series with the Rockets.
Ahem. The other side of the coin. I'll let you decide which one is more shiny.
The Timberwovlves beat the Rockets twice this season, once without Karl ANTONIUS Towns.
Yesterday they lost to the Rockets with Towns volume shooting a shade higher than typical Wiggins, 8 of 22 for 36%. 22pts on 22 FG attempts and 5 FT attempts. Who wants to be the first to crown him for that one.
In fact, the Timberwolves have lost 3 in a row. The last team win came against the Knicks while Towns was missing again.
The only thing good about funneling every possession in through Kat is that he seems to cherish it. Of course we can't be sure it's not all about trying to earn an extra 30 million. The nerve of me suggesting that could be any kind of silly motive. I see dollar signs in his eyes each time he shows multiple two handed power dunks in the first half of these games lately. Trouble is, the opponent is sinking 3s. It's all great. But if everyone is told to just feed him, his 40-50 on his best nights still don't guarantee a win because you are asking everyone else to not produce.
Ryan has benched Rose to make sure all possessions go through Towns that are possible without winning. This is Ryan's tank and Towns is the Tank commander right now.
I'm not listening to any excuses for his playoff performance last season. That was entirely on him. His motive for not playing his best was getting Butler to run out of here screaming. Here is the big question for all those wanting to revisit history right now. Do us all a favor and look to the future instead. Rub your magic crystal ball and tell us please...what will Towns' motive be for next year to continue playing big time ball? Do tell.
Seems to me the idea of funneling it all through Towns is the wrong move. Nothing wrong with keeping him a big part of things. But to forget about everyone else is to play loser ball. At its best focusing only on a single good player you might, maybe reach .500 ball. Do Not make this mistake again. Kevin Love loved it so much he begged out. It's a fools plan.