**The Official Karl-Anthony Towns Thread**

[LordBaldric]

what are you even talking about? or is it that you just like to rant?

Spare me your playing stupid act. I was responding to stuff like this:

I think i've changed my stance on what position KAT should play. I think it would be wise to do what Spurs did with TD and Pelicans are doing with Davis and keep KAT off center position. Karl should be protected from doing extra dirty work in the paint to him from getting banged up and picking up fouls. I don't think it's wise to make your best scorer be the last wall of defense, it's too much toll on the guy through out the season.

Which was posted by you just yesterday. Do you have a memory problem?

So you don't get the context of playing KAT at PF the way Spurs did with Duncan or Pelicans with Davis or Blazers/Spurs with LMA? There are also guys like Pau, Nene and even KG in his later days. All those bigs could play center easily but opted to not to for some reason and were just fine in doing so. So again what is there that you don't understand or want to complain about?

Because, generally speaking it's a stupid idea. Duncan played PF because the Spurs had a HOF center already when he came into the league. KG never had the frame to play C, so much so that he started off in the league as a SF. Pau, Nene and LMA all COULD play C if needed but are clearly natural PFs.

You are talking about moving a natural C, a future superstar C to PF for no good reason. When it is WAY easier to find quality PFs than Cs. This is especially so when this whole basketball era is abandoning the idea of the big plodding low post only center. Towns is the prototypical ideal center for this era of basketball, but you are acting like Shaq clones are all over the league.

[NewWolvesOrder]

I like KAT playing both positions. That is the point of KAT's versatility. Not just using him at center for the floor spacing. Use him to bring the big rim protectors out of the paint at center. Use him to destroy smaller forwards in the post. I want a stretch forward to play with KAT when we play small ball, I want a bruising center that we can use with KAT to play bully ball, and I want another combo big for extra versatility. Take advantage of all the match ups.

But offense isn't what defining KAT's position, his versatility allows him whatever he wants to be on any given possession. The defensive side is more of an indicator of the position. I for one don't think it's right for KAT to wrestle under the rim with guys like Cousins, Nurkic, Nene, Whiteside, Jonas V, etc. Let the "pawn" bigs like Dieng, Aldrich, Hill do the dirty work and use their 18 fouls.

[Mattya]

I like KAT playing both positions. That is the point of KAT's versatility. Not just using him at center for the floor spacing. Use him to bring the big rim protectors out of the paint at center. Use him to destroy smaller forwards in the post. I want a stretch forward to play with KAT when we play small ball, I want a bruising center that we can use with KAT to play bully ball, and I want another combo big for extra versatility. Take advantage of all the match ups.

But offense isn't what defining KAT's position, his versatility allows him whatever he wants to be on any given possession. The defensive side is more of an indicator of the position. I for one don't think it's right for KAT to wrestle under the rim with guys like Cousins, Nurkic, Nene, Whiteside, Jonas V, etc. Let the "pawn" bigs like Dieng, Aldrich, Hill do the dirty work and their 18 fouls.

I agree with you. I think it is fair to play him against those guys in certain lineups though. I would use him to negate guys like Nurkic or Whiteside on defense. I would play KAT against Nene and Jonas since he can be such a threat to switch onto their guards in pick and roll. These are just situational minutes though. A lot of these bigs aren't getting heavy minutes.

[NewWolvesOrder]

Because, generally speaking it's a stupid idea. Duncan played PF because the Spurs had a HOF center already when he came into the league.

Duncan kept starting at C when D-Rob was long gone, next to nobodies like Rasho and then Oberto, etc

KG never had the frame to play C, so much so that he started off in the league as a SF.

I was talking about the old slow KG, not the 200 lbs rookie KG,

Pau, Nene and LMA all COULD play C if needed but are clearly natural PFs.

They have much more in common with KAT than you're willing to admit.

You are talking about moving a natural C, a future superstar C to PF for no good reason. When it is WAY easier to find quality PFs than Cs.

KAT isn't a natural center. He modeled his game after Durant in HS before Calipari. If you don't see similarities then you're voluntary blind.

This is especially so when this whole basketball era is abandoning the idea of the big plodding low post only center. Towns is the prototypical ideal center for this era of basketball, but you are acting like Shaq clones are all over the league.

So are guys like Cousins, Drummond, Nurkic, Whiteside, Valancuinas, Howard, Deandre, Len, Nene, Gortat, Lopez etc don't exist? Forget about Shaq already. I'm sorry your take is a joke and you're not willing to open your mind to an argument. "KAT's future is screwed if he play PF"

Have a good night, sir

[LordBaldric]

Spare me your playing stupid act. I was responding to stuff like this:

I think i've changed my stance on what position KAT should play. I think it would be wise to do what Spurs did with TD and Pelicans are doing with Davis and keep KAT off center position. Karl should be protected from doing extra dirty work in the paint to him from getting banged up and picking up fouls. I don't think it's wise to make your best scorer be the last wall of defense, it's too much toll on the guy through out the season.

Which was posted by you just yesterday. Do you have a memory problem?

That's not "moving a budding superstar from C to PF because you have Cole Aldrich on your roster"

Given our current roster, it pretty much is. Substitute some other mediocre plodding beefcake center if you choose.

[LordBaldric]

Because, generally speaking it's a stupid idea. Duncan played PF because the Spurs had a HOF center already when he came into the league.

Duncan kept starting at C when D-Rob was long gone, next to nobodies like Rasho and then Oberto, etc

KG never had the frame to play C, so much so that he started off in the league as a SF.

I was talking about the old slow KG, not the 200 lbs rookie KG,

Pau, Nene and LMA all COULD play C if needed but are clearly natural PFs.

They have much more in common with KAT than you're willing to admit.

You are talking about moving a natural C, a future superstar C to PF for no good reason. When it is WAY easier to find quality PFs than Cs.

KAT isn't a natural center. He modeled his game after Durant in HS before Calipari. If you don't see similarities then you're voluntary blind.

This is especially so when this whole basketball era is abandoning the idea of the big plodding low post only center. Towns is the prototypical ideal center for this era of basketball, but you are acting like Shaq clones are all over the league.

So are guys like Cousins, Drummond, Nurkic, Whiteside, Valancuinas, Howard, Deandre, Len, Nene, Gortat, Lopez etc don't exist? Forget about Shaq already. I'm sorry your take is a joke and you're not willing to open your mind to an argument. "KAT's future is screwed if he play PF"

Have a good night, sir

You are a baseball manager that takes a stud hitting shortstop and moves him to first base so he doesn't have to expend as much defensive energy. In other words, clueless.

[NewWolvesOrder]

Because, generally speaking it's a stupid idea. Duncan played PF because the Spurs had a HOF center already when he came into the league.

Duncan kept starting at C when D-Rob was long gone, next to nobodies like Rasho and then Oberto, etc

KG never had the frame to play C, so much so that he started off in the league as a SF.

I was talking about the old slow KG, not the 200 lbs rookie KG,

Pau, Nene and LMA all COULD play C if needed but are clearly natural PFs.

They have much more in common with KAT than you're willing to admit.

You are talking about moving a natural C, a future superstar C to PF for no good reason. When it is WAY easier to find quality PFs than Cs.

KAT isn't a natural center. He modeled his game after Durant in HS before Calipari. If you don't see similarities then you're voluntary blind.

This is especially so when this whole basketball era is abandoning the idea of the big plodding low post only center. Towns is the prototypical ideal center for this era of basketball, but you are acting like Shaq clones are all over the league.

So are guys like Cousins, Drummond, Nurkic, Whiteside, Valancuinas, Howard, Deandre, Len, Nene, Gortat, Lopez etc don't exist? Forget about Shaq already. I'm sorry your take is a joke and you're not willing to open your mind to an argument. "KAT's future is screwed if he play PF"

Have a good night, sir

You are a baseball manager that takes a stud hitting shortstop and moves him to first base so he doesn't have to expend as much defensive energy. In other words, clueless.

I already said: "Peace out"

And for future reference: I don't know a single rule of baseball and never saw a full game. So don't bother with baseball stuff.

[NewWolvesOrder]

I like KAT playing both positions. That is the point of KAT's versatility. Not just using him at center for the floor spacing. Use him to bring the big rim protectors out of the paint at center. Use him to destroy smaller forwards in the post. I want a stretch forward to play with KAT when we play small ball, I want a bruising center that we can use with KAT to play bully ball, and I want another combo big for extra versatility. Take advantage of all the match ups.

But offense isn't what defining KAT's position, his versatility allows him whatever he wants to be on any given possession. The defensive side is more of an indicator of the position. I for one don't think it's right for KAT to wrestle under the rim with guys like Cousins, Nurkic, Nene, Whiteside, Jonas V, etc. Let the "pawn" bigs like Dieng, Aldrich, Hill do the dirty work and their 18 fouls.

I agree with you. I think it is fair to play him against those guys in certain lineups though. I would use him to negate guys like Nurkic or Whiteside on defense. I would play KAT against Nene and Jonas since he can be such a threat to switch onto their guards in pick and roll. These are just situational minutes though. A lot of these bigs aren't getting heavy minutes.

Well, you agreed with me and then kind of disagreed in the following sentences. But I agree that he can and will guard centers in some situations. i just don't believe that it should be done full time. He'll have his hands full carrying the load on offense, so playing some weakside defense and getting some boards will be big enough contribution on defense for me. How many elite wing scorers carry the offense and guarding a "Durant" on defense? Most of them take it easy of D. Doing so as a center is even more demanding.

[Klomp]

Everyone talks about how teams have to adjust to match up with Draymond Green at PF, but what about how they'd have to adjust to Towns at PF?

Towns won't be at a disadvantage, either at PF or C. He can space out against plodding Cs and post up against small PFs. The difference comes to how we match up with an opponent and how an opponent can match up against us at the other frontcourt spot. Sometimes, a PF like Bjelica or one of the SFs is better in a small lineup with Towns at C, but other times, we'll have the advantage putting Towns at PF next to Dieng, Aldrich or Hill.

[Killboard]

If some teams want to play small ball against us, Towns must be paired with a big effective low post scorer to make those teams pay if they want to defend Towns or that player with a 6'8 forward.

Im not sure if Gorgui is that player. he is good on offense but I like him more when he is playing with his face to the basket. Aldrich in the other hand could not be pretty but he is massive and has good instincts in the low block. If he can score at good clip that would allow Towns to play against a smaller player and Im sure he would outproduce those small ball 4 (Not called Lebron or Durant at least).

You lost me here. Why does Towns' pairing have to be a low-post scorer?

Not sure either. The reason KAT/Dieng pairing was effective is their versatility plus passing ability. They both can operate inside and outside thus can avoid getting in each others ways. And if anything a pure floor spacer is better than pure post-up scorer next to KAT.

Agree, but we already have a pure floor spacer in Bjellica. . I think a solid post up big can be helpful when some teams want to play small ball against us. If we cant win playing small ball like them, then force them to play a twin towers game playing a post threat and Towns around him. G can do a bit of both but he isnt reliable playing in the post. If Towns keeps developing his face up shooting motions, he will be a nightmare given his size and mobility.

[Klomp]

I think a solid post up big can be helpful when some teams want to play small ball against us. If we cant win playing small ball like them, then force them to play a twin towers game playing a post threat and Towns around him. G can do a bit of both but he isnt reliable playing in the post. If Towns keeps developing his face up shooting motions, he will be a nightmare given his size and mobility.

How does playing Dieng not force a team out of small-ball, I don't get it.

The only way this comes into effect would be if GS moves Green to the 5. But otherwise, most "small-ball" lineups still have one player who's a more traditional big man that Dieng can match up with just fine. The mismatch for these lineups comes at the 4, where Towns can destroy any opponent. And many times, it gets him off the low-post guy....Rudy Gobert and Hassan Whiteside aren't going to be chasing Towns around the perimeter.

[NewWolvesOrder]

I think a solid post up big can be helpful when some teams want to play small ball against us. If we cant win playing small ball like them, then force them to play a twin towers game playing a post threat and Towns around him. G can do a bit of both but he isnt reliable playing in the post. If Towns keeps developing his face up shooting motions, he will be a nightmare given his size and mobility.

How does playing Dieng not force a team out of small-ball, I don't get it.

The only way this comes into effect would be if GS moves Green to the 5. But otherwise, most "small-ball" lineups still have one player who's a more traditional big man that Dieng can match up with just fine. The mismatch for these lineups comes at the 4, where Towns can destroy any opponent. And many times, it gets him off the low-post guy....Rudy Gobert and Hassan Whiteside aren't going to be chasing Towns around the perimeter.

If his outside shot keeps progressing they sure wouldn't.

[guille_4]

17-17 FT last night in 24 minutes.

Way to go Karl.

[Klomp]

Notice how Towns shuffled his feet to line up a better passing lane for Rubio (between halfcourt and 3-point line)

[minimus]

^^ It is nice to see that KAT and Dieng are starting to figure out how to play with Rubio. Same adjustment we saw from love and Pek.

[Grits n Gravy]

17-17 FT last night in 24 minutes.

Way to go Karl.

29-29 over the last 3 games

[LordBaldric]

^^ It is nice to see that KAT and Dieng are starting to figure out how to play with Rubio. Same adjustment we saw from love and Pek.

It seems all those guys are highly intelligent players.

[76ciology]

Hi I come in peace and find this strange..

Any reason why Wolves play better D without Towns based at on/off DRtg?

For instance this season
On: 104DRtg
Off: 84.6DRtg

Last season:
On: 108DRtg
Off: 105 DRtg
*also negative DRPM

[juju14]

Hi I come in peace and find this strange..

Any reason why Wolves play better D without Towns based at on/off DRtg?

For instance this season
On: 104DRtg
Off: 84.6DRtg

Last season:
On: 108DRtg
Off: 105 DRtg
*also negative DRPM

He hasn't played great defense this season. Its simple and he not rebounding the ball. I don't know if it because he got slimmer, but he been getting tossed around in the paint. This was the first game with 10 rebounds and Marc Gasol was out. He definitely not playing smart out there. Look at the timeouts. Thibs is always yelling at him about something then he gets fustrated and sits.

[firyGM]

Ricky feed Towns a lot of last year. 60% of his points came from Ricky. If Rubio isn't playing well or he misses the game KAT is less KAT.