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

[Klomp]

Anyone care to look up what the No. 2 option for the NBA Finals runner-up averaged during the postseason?

21, 10, 6 last year in the finals. 18, 10, 2 from KAT. Murray >>> KAT.

Murray is worth ALL his money. That box score doesn’t show his clutch shooting either.

I have no idea what you are looking at. I admire your passion, but it's currently blinding your perspective.

[BlacJacMac]

Towns problems at PF position are related to whole dynamic in NBA, where in last years starting PF role changed dramatically. Guys like Aaron Gordon, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Giannis, Wiggins play as PF. All of them are able to defend Towns on perimeter and in post. I don't see Towns having a clear advantage over them.

Towns can't post up Gordon, Butler, Tatum, Wiggins?

Can he? Absolutely.

Does he? More and more infrequently.

What he can't do is drive on those kind of defenders, and they usually guard him well outside the post, effectively nullifying him.

Towns has a terrific post game. Always has. Even when he was drafted and the narrative was that Okafor was the better post scorer, it was clear from Day 1 that KAT had the more advanced post game.

But it seems like every year he relies less and less on it, moving out to being more of a jump shooter and occasional (and often out of control) driver.

And having him play next to Gobert takes him even more out of the post. And then you have Ant wanting a clear lane to the basket as well.

I also think that keeping him out of the post has stunted his development as a passer. He was pretty good early on passing out of the post, but he hasn't seemed to get better at it - while adding some bad habits - like that over the head pass that so rarely finds its target.

[thinktank]

Anyone care to look up what the No. 2 option for the NBA Finals runner-up averaged during the postseason?

21, 10, 6 last year in the finals. 18, 10, 2 from KAT. Murray >>> KAT.

Murray is worth ALL his money. That box score doesn’t show his clutch shooting either.

I have no idea what you are looking at. I admire your passion, but it's currently blinding your perspective.

I’m looking at 25, 5 and 6. I like it. Positive contributor for his role and salary.



Do you like 21, 6, and 10? I do.

[shrink]

He said, “runner up.”

Denver won the title.

[thinktank]

He said, “runner up.”

Denver won the title.

Butler and Bam both >>> KAT

Anthony Davis and Lebron both >>> KAT

Have at it, nerd. You guys can live inside a box score but you still won’t understand basketball that way.

[shrink]

We understand what “runner up” means

Dude, this is just another example of you flinging wrong stuff (Jamal Murray stats), and not even acknowledging.

[thinktank]

Dude, this is just another example of you flinging wrong stuff (Jamal Murray stats), and not even acknowledging.

I’m sorry I posted Murray.

Bam >>> KAT

KAT isn’t worth his salary.

Nerd away.

You should be banned for calling another poster a monkey. That’s disgusting behavior.

"What I had heard was that the salary, some people felt that the salary was just too onerous, at least at this point," SNY's Ian Begley said during an appearance on The Lowe Post podcast with ESPN's Zach Lowe (15:30 mark).

That’s the Knicks talking. Maybe you should ask them some stats questions to see if you can change their mind.

[shrink]

I am coming to the conclusion that giving you attention just makes you behave more poorly, and I will limit my interactions with you to correct your obvious mistakes and intentional falsehoods.

You should be banned for calling another poster a monkey. That’s disgusting behavior.

It took me a full ten minutes to understand why you were so bothered by this, until I realized this is also a racial slur. Obviously, I didn’t mean it like that, and specifically described that I see you as a monkey because you fling so much crap. I get the old RubeChat guys confused, but I thought you had said you were a white guy that “understood the black experience because you lived in a zip code with a lot of blacks.” If you’re black and you were offended for racial reasons, I apologize for that - it wasn’t my intent, if you’re offended because you don’t like being called out for throwing crap, then I have no sympathy for that.

[minimus]

Towns problems at PF position are related to whole dynamic in NBA, where in last years starting PF role changed dramatically. Guys like Aaron Gordon, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Giannis, Wiggins play as PF. All of them are able to defend Towns on perimeter and in post. I don't see Towns having a clear advantage over them.

Towns can't post up Gordon, Butler, Tatum, Wiggins?

Can he? Absolutely.

Does he? More and more infrequently.

What he can't do is drive on those kind of defenders, and they usually guard him well outside the post, effectively nullifying him.

Towns has a terrific post game. Always has. Even when he was drafted and the narrative was that Okafor was the better post scorer, it was clear from Day 1 that KAT had the more advanced post game.

But it seems like every year he relies less and less on it, moving out to being more of a jump shooter and occasional (and often out of control) driver.

And having him play next to Gobert takes him even more out of the post. And then you have Ant wanting a clear lane to the basket as well.

I also think that keeping him out of the post has stunted his development as a passer. He was pretty good early on passing out of the post, but he hasn't seemed to get better at it - while adding some bad habits - like that over the head pass that so rarely finds its target.

I think that Towns post game has been overrated. Yes, he has an elite touch on those right handed semi hook, yes he can shoot turnaround shots over smaller opponents. But he also fouls regularly on postups, his passing is flashy but not reliable. Let's compare him to the best bigs:

Jokic is elite on short jumpers, has been exceptional passer and decision maker

Read on Twitter

Embiid has developed an impeccable timing to get FTs, he is deadly from mid range after hang dribble

Plus both are clutch:

Read on Twitter

Towns is rarely postups nowadays

Read on Twitter

We can say that Towns is more a slasher at PF, that's correct, but his turnovers numbers in playoffs are extremely concerning

Read on Twitter

One year ago Towns was discussed as a big of the same tier as Jokic and Embiid, but now he is not even close. This is MVP territory right now. Edwards, has a right expectations: can Towns return at MVP level?

[thinktank]

I am coming to the conclusion that giving you attention just makes you behave more poorly, and I will limit my interactions with you to correct your obvious mistakes and intentional falsehoods.

You should be banned for calling another poster a monkey. That’s disgusting behavior.

It took me a full ten minutes to understand why you were so bothered by this, until I realized this is also a racial slur. Obviously, I didn’t mean it like that, and specifically described that I see you as a monkey because you fling so much crap. I get the old RubeChat guys confused, but I thought you had said you were a white guy that “understood the black experience because you lived in a zip code with a lot of blacks.” If you’re black and you were offended for racial reasons, I apologize for that - it wasn’t my intent, if you’re offended because you don’t like being called out for throwing crap, then I have no sympathy for that.

Wtf is with the false quotation?

The rules say no personal attacks. **** you, heartily. You should be banned.

The fact that you’re still posting illustrates the level of bias on this board and that is seriously messed up.

It should not be okay to call ANYONE HERE a monkey.

Rule #4 of the realgm board is no personal attacks. Calling another poster an animal throwing feces is a personal attack, NO MATTER the poster’s race.

[BlacJacMac]

Towns is rarely postups nowadays

I didn't want to repost the entire thing, but this is the heart of what I'm saying.

He's clearly not on any post up leaderboards because we've done everything we can to eliminate that part of his game.

I don't think we needed all the graphs and comparisons to argue our way to the same end point...

[m2002brian]

I am coming to the conclusion that giving you attention just makes you behave more poorly, and I will limit my interactions with you to correct your obvious mistakes and intentional falsehoods.

You should be banned for calling another poster a monkey. That’s disgusting behavior.

It took me a full ten minutes to understand why you were so bothered by this, until I realized this is also a racial slur. Obviously, I didn’t mean it like that, and specifically described that I see you as a monkey because you fling so much crap. I get the old RubeChat guys confused, but I thought you had said you were a white guy that “understood the black experience because you lived in a zip code with a lot of blacks.” If you’re black and you were offended for racial reasons, I apologize for that - it wasn’t my intent, if you’re offended because you don’t like being called out for throwing crap, then I have no sympathy for that.

Wtf is with the false quotation?

The rules say no personal attacks. **** you, heartily. You should be banned.

The fact that you’re still posting illustrates the level of bias on this board and that is seriously messed up.

It should not be okay to call ANYONE HERE a monkey.

Rule #4 of the realgm board is no personal attacks. Calling another poster an animal throwing feces is a personal attack, NO MATTER the poster’s race.

If you’re pro KAT you can say anything you like and only offensive stats matter. Injury history, defense, attitude are baseless points. I posted a video with real stats, that showed that even as he was getting 9 rebounds per games, when KAT was on the floor the other teams offensive rebounding went up 8.2%.

Now riddle me this… what part of the game to the Timberwolves struggle with the most?????

Source: https://youtu.be/ZKCVCDOy-RY


Ding ding ding… giving up offensive rebounds.

[Klomp]

Bam >>> KAT

KAT isn’t worth his salary.

Nerd away.

2023 postseason numbers
KAT: 18.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.8 bpg in 36.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $33,833,400)
Bam: 17.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg in 37.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $30,351,780)

[thinktank]

Bam >>> KAT

KAT isn’t worth his salary.

Nerd away.

2023 postseason numbers
KAT: 18.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.8 bpg in 36.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $33,833,400)
Bam: 17.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg in 37.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $30,351,780)

That’s some fine box-scoring that does absolutely nothing to convince me KAT can ever play D.

[BlacJacMac]

Bam >>> KAT

KAT isn’t worth his salary.

Nerd away.

2023 postseason numbers
KAT: 18.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.8 bpg in 36.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $33,833,400)
Bam: 17.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg in 37.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $30,351,780)

Not sure that one helps KAT much, as Bam has always been known more for defense than offense.

[Klomp]

That’s some fine box-scoring that does absolutely nothing to convince me KAT can ever play D.

Why does he have to be great on defense? That's not his role. Most of the best players in the world are not great defenders. They don't get criticized for every mistake to the degree Towns does.

Watch on YouTube

The Lakers pay this bum $45M?!

[Klomp]

Bam >>> KAT

KAT isn’t worth his salary.

Nerd away.

2023 postseason numbers
KAT: 18.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.8 bpg in 36.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $33,833,400)
Bam: 17.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg in 37.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $30,351,780)

Not sure that one helps KAT much, as Bam has always been known more for defense than offense.

This was why I bring it up:

Your #2 guy needs to put up more than 11 and 18 in the playoffs. I’m sorry. 11 and 18 is average at best production from your #2.

[BlacJacMac]

2023 postseason numbers
KAT: 18.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.8 bpg in 36.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $33,833,400)
Bam: 17.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg in 37.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $30,351,780)

Not sure that one helps KAT much, as Bam has always been known more for defense than offense.

This was why I bring it up:

Your #2 guy needs to put up more than 11 and 18 in the playoffs. I’m sorry. 11 and 18 is average at best production from your #2.

But that's just numbers in a vacuum. Context is important.

If Bam is matching KAT on offense, while still supplying his usual defense, that's worlds apart...

[thinktank]

2023 postseason numbers
KAT: 18.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.8 bpg in 36.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $33,833,400)
Bam: 17.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg in 37.0 mpg (2022-23 salary: $30,351,780)

Not sure that one helps KAT much, as Bam has always been known more for defense than offense.

This was why I bring it up:

Your #2 guy needs to put up more than 11 and 18 in the playoffs. I’m sorry. 11 and 18 is average at best production from your #2.

I know. You’re addicted to the box scores.

[Klomp]

Not sure that one helps KAT much, as Bam has always been known more for defense than offense.

This was why I bring it up:

Your #2 guy needs to put up more than 11 and 18 in the playoffs. I’m sorry. 11 and 18 is average at best production from your #2.

But that's just numbers in a vacuum. Context is important.

If Bam is matching KAT on offense, while still supplying his usual defense, that's worlds apart...

thinktank literally said your No. 2 needs to put up better numbers than that in the playoffs, when the team that ran through the East had a No. 2 option who put up exactly that. There's no more context needed than that. He asked for numbers from a No. 2, I gave numbers from a No. 2.