**The Official Karl-Anthony Towns Thread: Part Two**

[m2002brian]

I liken KAT to a quarterback who can have consistently great games q1 to q3, but when the pressure ramps up and the windows get tighter, he falls flat. The stats can very easily lie to you. Although maybe it’s possible to see stats just for 4th quarters? When I say negated, he’s offensive prowess is negated by the fact that he’s either in foul trouble in the bench (can’t score from the bench) or the fact he can’t be as aggressive offensively or defensively. So regardless of the averages, they drop off as the game goes on.

[urinesane]

I liken KAT to a quarterback who can have consistently great games q1 to q3, but when the pressure ramps up and the windows get tighter, he falls flat. The stats can very easily lie to you. Although maybe it’s possible to see stats just for 4th quarters? When I say negated, he’s offensive prowess is negated by the fact that he’s either in foul trouble in the bench (can’t score from the bench) or the fact he can’t be as aggressive offensively or defensively. So regardless of the averages, they drop off as the game goes on.

Can you show us some stats/data/instances to back up your claims?

This mostly just seems like you already have your mind made up regardless of what is presented counter to what you already think. While he certainly has gotten into foul trouble at times, it's nowhere near the level you are trying to convince us in your posts.

His average PF per game in his career is 3.4, the average for centers in the league this season was 4.2 per game when playing 30+ minutes. For Power Forwards the average was 3.9 per game in 30+ minutes, so he isn't even above average in fouls according to the stats, let alone the foul trouble laden big man picture you are painting here.

Also, are you Bret Stuter?

Your posts all read like an article he wrote for dunking with wolves 9 months ago.

[m2002brian]

Maybe Bret could see that by using career statistics can be misleading. How about we focus on what really matters. We can get to the playoffs w/o KAT. Can we win in the playoff with him.

Look at a player like Bam. His coaches, his team can count on what they’re going to get from him, because he brings the same game consistently, regardless of the pressure, or the moment. That’s brings certain level of confidence to the court. They can count on what they have historically seen from him.

These are huge phycological things that are over looked. When the pressure is out on, KAT is doubled, is he going to make the right pass, will he drive it and avoid a charge. These are real things. Things coaches and teammates are well aware of. Kats under 5 mins +/- 5pts assist to to ratio. 0.65. That’s not good for a guy who consistently sees a double team.
It makes him untrustworthy in games and moments that are the most meaningful.

I’m game for execution when the lights shine the brightest is a must for someone with paychecks as large as Kats. It’s the way the cookie crumbles. If Ant was 26/27 making 40,000,000 a year, his late game turnovers and shot selection would be under just as large of a microscope. Unfortunately or fortunately Ant has actually gotten better when the games matter the most.

[urinesane]

Maybe Bret could see that by using career statistics can be misleading. How about we focus on what really matters. We can get to the playoffs w/o KAT. Can we win in the playoff with him.

Look at a player like Bam. His coaches, his team can count on what they’re going to get from him, because he brings the same game consistently, regardless of the pressure, or the moment. That’s brings certain level of confidence to the court. They can count on what they have historically seen from him.

These are huge phycological things that are over looked. When the pressure is out on, KAT is doubled, is he going to make the right pass, will he drive it and avoid a charge. These are real things. Things coaches and teammates are well aware of. Kats under 5 mins +/- 5pts assist to to ratio. 0.65. That’s not good for a guy who consistently sees a double team.
It makes him untrustworthy in games and moments that are the most meaningful.

I’m game for execution when the lights shine the brightest is a must for someone with paychecks as large as Kats. It’s the way the cookie crumbles. If Ant was 26/27 making 40,000,000 a year, his late game turnovers and shot selection would be under just as large of a microscope. Unfortunately or fortunately Ant has actually gotten better when the games matter the most.

Thank you for the reply.

So now the question becomes, what trade of KAT fixes this issue?

[m2002brian]

This team needs shot making and execution. But…Look at championship teams and what really drives them.
Warriors have draymond, not much of a shot making but great communicator and executor. Look what Iggy did for the Warriors. Boris Diaw was immensely important to the spurs.

I fully understand that it’s a stars league, but the new cba may limit that to two max players on most teams. Maybe three if you’re winning enough to offset costs (or you’re a large market). Is that Ant and McDaniels?

Brandon Ingram has shown he can shine, can he stay healthy? Dame, too old for the “timeline”? Some how get Zion and pray he stays healthy? New Shaq and Kobe? Maybe we pivot for a PG? We can’t actually trade for any picks this year, KAT can’t be traded until July. If we had been more proactive maybe we could have gotten Fox before Sac made the Sabonis trade? I don’t have the answers, but I do know that that the fit isn’t great and I also think Rudy fits winning better.

[urinesane]

This team needs shot making and execution. But…Look at championship teams and what really drives them.
Warriors have draymond, not much of a shot making but great communicator and executor. Look what Iggy did for the Warriors. Boris Diaw was immensely important to the spurs.

I fully understand that it’s a stars league, but the new cba may limit that to two max players on most teams. Maybe three if you’re winning enough to offset costs (or you’re a large market). Is that Ant and McDaniels?

Brandon Ingram has shown he can shine, can he stay healthy? Dame, too old for the “timeline”? Some how get Zion and pray he stays healthy? New Shaq and Kobe? Maybe we pivot for a PG? We can’t actually trade for any picks this year, KAT can’t be traded until July. If we had been more proactive maybe we could have gotten Fox before Sac made the Sabonis trade? I don’t have the answers, but I do know that that the fit isn’t great and I also think Rudy fits winning better.

Without a clear fit/option currently out there, would you be opposed to running it back for at least part of this season (if not a full season) to raise KAT's potential trade value (and at the off chance that they figure out how to make it work this season)?

[m2002brian]

Gut feelings says that’s exactly what we do. At least until the deadline. I’m not opposed to it, but it could be playing with fire in regards to Kats health history the last 4 years.

[urinesane]

Gut feelings says that’s exactly what we do. At least until the deadline. I’m not opposed to it, but it could be playing with fire in regards to Kats health history the last 4 years.

That's a fair point. I suppose I look more at the potential upside with him vs what we would get in a trade (which would not be anywhere near his actual worth) rather than how much further his value could drop (since it's currently the lowest it's ever been).

[TimberKat]

For a better time on the forum and to avoid the people you described in your previous post, I'd suggest adding these names to your "foes" list.

[No]

Also, please post more, there's only a handful of posters that keep me coming back here and you seem like you'll be one of them if you stick around.

You actually keep a naughty list? Do they get a lump of coal at the end of the year? Maybe they are just misunderstood. Although @Note30 doesn't appreciate my geek humor. It's fun posting and I don't take it too seriously.

[Mattya]

It makes me feel pretty good that I’m on that block list considering I’m being called illogical yet somehow I agree with his points in this thread, one that I haven’t even been involved with. Now if only the ignore feature didn’t allow you to reference the poster you are trying to ignore. Seems kind of contradictory.

[TimberKat]

It makes me feel pretty good that I’m on that block list considering I’m being called illogical yet somehow I agree with his points in this thread, one that I haven’t even been involved with. Now if only the ignore feature didn’t allow you to reference the poster you are trying to ignore. Seems kind of contradictory.

It that why they say you are illogical? Just kidding. I didn't even know those features existed. Today is the first time I actually click the "Notifications" tab

[Klomp]

There are so many teams that you could talk me into saying "I could see Towns traded there." That's the enticing thing to me. Like Gobert was last season, Towns is locked into his deal longterm any any potential team acquiring him has to be feeling like "we're buying low on him."

I know that's why it's scary to be talking about trading him, but I do think the discussion needs to at least happen. It might be selling low, but also I don't think this is 2018-19 Towns we are trading.

We sold low on Stephon Marbury. But what could have happened had we not dealt him? I'm not sure I want to know.

[Domejandro]

The block list comment has been removed. Let's all chill with the personal attacks, the forum has been kind of a drag lately with all the unnecessarily sharp back-and-forths. Keep it about basketball, everyone!

[Slim Tubby]

The block list comment has been removed. Let's all chill with the personal attacks, the forum has been kind of a drag lately with all the unnecessarily sharp back-and-forths. Keep it about basketball, everyone!

Differing opinions make the world go round but we all root for the same team. Just be respectful...there are times to "agree to disagree".

Personally, I'm interested in a Scoot for KAT deal, especially factoring in our future contractual obligations but we have no use for Nurk and Simons' contract is reminiscent of Peele's (yuck).

I'd still hold out hope for Mykal Bridges + fillers in any KAT trade.

[urinesane]

For a better time on the forum and to avoid the people you described in your previous post, I'd suggest adding these names to your "foes" list.

[No]

Also, please post more, there's only a handful of posters that keep me coming back here and you seem like you'll be one of them if you stick around.

You actually keep a naughty list? Do they get a lump of coal at the end of the year? Maybe they are just misunderstood. Although @Note30 doesn't appreciate my geek humor. It's fun posting and I don't take it too seriously.

I don't keep a list I just looked up who I had on the foes section over the years. Half of them were trolls/bits that have moved on.

[urinesane]

There are so many teams that you could talk me into saying "I could see Towns traded there." That's the enticing thing to me. Like Gobert was last season, Towns is locked into his deal longterm any any potential team acquiring him has to be feeling like "we're buying low on him."

I know that's why it's scary to be talking about trading him, but I do think the discussion needs to at least happen. It might be selling low, but also I don't think this is 2018-19 Towns we are trading.

We sold low on Stephon Marbury. But what could have happened had we not dealt him? I'm not sure I want to know.

We sold low on Marbury because he demanded a trade not wanting to be the #2 next to KG. KATs value is only low because he's had a couple years of unlucky health and has a big contract kicking in. Not really the same scenario.

[Battletrigger]

The block list comment has been removed. Let's all chill with the personal attacks, the forum has been kind of a drag lately with all the unnecessarily sharp back-and-forths. Keep it about basketball, everyone!

Differing opinions make the world go round but we all root for the same team. Just be respectful...there are times to "agree to disagree".

Personally, I'm interested in a Scoot for KAT deal, especially factoring in our future contractual obligations but we have no use for Nurk and Simons' contract is reminiscent of Peele's (yuck).

I'd still hold out hope for Mykal Bridges + fillers in any KAT trade.

I don't like to trade this level of player for a pack around a high pick. Every year we saw people to be supposedly very good being a bust.

I prefer the Mykal Bridges or Brown trades bur I suppose that Kat, right now, has not that kind of value.

The OKC trade that read in the trade post was nice too.

[Slim Tubby]

The block list comment has been removed. Let's all chill with the personal attacks, the forum has been kind of a drag lately with all the unnecessarily sharp back-and-forths. Keep it about basketball, everyone!

Differing opinions make the world go round but we all root for the same team. Just be respectful...there are times to "agree to disagree".

Personally, I'm interested in a Scoot for KAT deal, especially factoring in our future contractual obligations but we have no use for Nurk and Simons' contract is reminiscent of Peele's (yuck).

I'd still hold out hope for Mykal Bridges + fillers in any KAT trade.

I don't like to trade this level of player for a pack around a high pick. Every year we saw people to be supposedly very good being a bust.

I prefer the Mykal Bridges or Brown trades bur I suppose that Kat, right now, has not that kind of value.

The OKC trade that read in the trade post was nice too.

Agreed...trading a known talent like KAT for a draft pick as the focal point of a trade is not the ideal.

If we look back at Draft history, what are the odds that the player taken at #3 this year will ever come close to being the player that Towns is today? Very, very low.

As for the OKC deal, I like Giddey's potential but I'd personally prefer Jalen Williams more. Now if we could get both...

[Baseline81]

Agreed...trading a known talent like KAT for a draft pick as the focal point of a trade is not the ideal.

If we look back at Draft history, what are the odds that the player taken at #3 this year will ever come close to being the player that Towns is today? Very, very low.

As for the OKC deal, I like Giddey's potential but I'd personally prefer Jalen Williams more. Now if we could get both...

Curious, what was your take on the Love for Wiggins trade, which was essentially dealing a known commodity for a prospect?

[Slim Tubby]

Agreed...trading a known talent like KAT for a draft pick as the focal point of a trade is not the ideal.

If we look back at Draft history, what are the odds that the player taken at #3 this year will ever come close to being the player that Towns is today? Very, very low.

As for the OKC deal, I like Giddey's potential but I'd personally prefer Jalen Williams more. Now if we could get both...

Curious, what was your take on the Love for Wiggins trade, which was essentially dealing a known commodity for a prospect?

At the time, it was pretty obvious that Love preferred to be elsewhere so I was all for it at the time. I also expected Wiggins to be much better than he was for the Wolves, though.

I've seen so little of Scoot to have an educated opinion on what kind of pro he can be and Miller's character flaws are so egregious that I want nothing to do with him in a Wolves jersey regardless of his talent.