**The Official Karl-Anthony Towns Thread**

[KGdaBom]

Although Woj makes it sound like the situation isn't THAT bad, years of being a Wolves fan have made me expect the worst case. I honestly don't expect to see KAT play another game for at least two weeks, or even the rest of this season.

Truly I feel the same. Even if the scan report is clean, something caused him to have two knee events in one game. It points to something that needs healing. Do not push it for his extra 40 million. Back off for week or two at minimum.

Easy for you to say. It's not your $40 million.

[Jedzz]

If he avoided a torn ACL, please just wrap him in bubble wrap until next season. He shouldn't play another minute this year.

As long as he's healthy he should be playing basketball. He is under contract to do that and also has an incentive to earn that will make him at least another 40 million dollars. You want him to lose that on your whim?

Whim? You said you didn't watch the game so maybe that's why you are taking this lightly.

He went down on a tweak to it early in the game. Later in the game doing nothing but taking off in a new direction it gave out on him and caused him to hobble a bit. He tried to instantly shrug it off and keep running but he soon hobbled to a stop. He supposedly told others he "heard a pop". You do not push this for any lousy amount of additional money on his contract.

Due diligence is now necessary which means more then a single MRI review. Something is weakened in that knee. They are saying he may have avoided something serious. That doesn't mean there isn't a small problem. When it comes to knees, small problems lead one direction and that's to big problems if you keep playing on it. If he plays there should be a brace on it to avoid letting it blow apart.

What's worse for Towns right now? Possibly losing additional money (he may still get it), or spending the next two seasons attempting to get back to the level he finally just reached in his career.

[Basti]

Although Woj makes it sound like the situation isn't THAT bad, years of being a Wolves fan have made me expect the worst case. I honestly don't expect to see KAT play another game for at least two weeks, or even the rest of this season.

Truly I feel the same. Even if the scan report is clean, something caused him to have two knee events in one game. It points to something that needs healing. Do not push it for his extra 40 million. Back off for week or two at minimum.

But KAT will push to play as many games, despite any risks, in order to make that All NBA team. Although I honestly don't feel like this year's race for the All NBA teams is that close. The only one amongst centres who has a case to be ahead of KAT is Jokic, or Gobert for defensive reasons. The other ones have serious question marks attached to their cases. Even Embiid and Davis, who are arguably better players, face a similar dilemma by having missed a certain amount of games.

But anyway, I agree with you that it's not necessary for him to push for an early return. In that sense, I kinda hope it's severe enough to make him realise to not push his body beyond his limits.

[Jedzz]

Although Woj makes it sound like the situation isn't THAT bad, years of being a Wolves fan have made me expect the worst case. I honestly don't expect to see KAT play another game for at least two weeks, or even the rest of this season.

Truly I feel the same. Even if the scan report is clean, something caused him to have two knee events in one game. It points to something that needs healing. Do not push it for his extra 40 million. Back off for week or two at minimum.

Easy for you to say. It's not your $40 million.

It is easy for me to say because I know what he is making with or without that bonus. If I was him having just felt the stability of that knee fail, I go into full rehab mode to protect that knee for his career beyond the next 5 years.

These are the warnings before a big problem. He's just hit the lottery if nothing fully tore. He may already need a scope cleaning and someone to get an inside view of this knee to make sure what is up.

[Jedzz]

Although Woj makes it sound like the situation isn't THAT bad, years of being a Wolves fan have made me expect the worst case. I honestly don't expect to see KAT play another game for at least two weeks, or even the rest of this season.

Truly I feel the same. Even if the scan report is clean, something caused him to have two knee events in one game. It points to something that needs healing. Do not push it for his extra 40 million. Back off for week or two at minimum.

But KAT will push to play as many games, despite any risks, in order to make that All NBA team. Although I honestly don't feel like this year's race for the All NBA teams is that close. The only one amongst centres who has a case to be ahead of KAT is Jokic, or Gobert for defensive reasons. The other ones have serious question marks attached to their cases. Even Embiid and Davis, who are arguably better players, face a similar dilemma by having missed a certain amount of games.

But anyway, I agree with you that it's not necessary for him to push for an early return. In that sense, I kinda hope it's severe enough to make him realise to not push his body beyond his limits.

For his sake I hope he doesn't push it. Would it hurt more to lose the ability to compete at this level beyond 5 years or would it hurt more to lose the All NBA? That's all the discussion that should be necessary.

Embiid is playing again now too. 33pts 12 boards for Embiid again today. Don't do it Towns.

[Jedzz]

Lavine had a warning, kept playing and the Pop happened.

Butler had soreness, kept playing high minutes and had it buckle on him. He stopped then and was able to come back before the playoffs. This was a lucky moment kind of like Kat just got. It stunk to lose Butler for that many games, but it probably kept him from going into major surgery and a year long rehab. I bet Butler still has to be mindful of that knee these days.

[KGdaBom]

If he avoided a torn ACL, please just wrap him in bubble wrap until next season. He shouldn't play another minute this year.

As long as he's healthy he should be playing basketball. He is under contract to do that and also has an incentive to earn that will make him at least another 40 million dollars. You want him to lose that on your whim?

Whim? You said you didn't watch the game so maybe that's why you are taking this lightly.

He went down on a tweak to it early in the game. Later in the game doing nothing but taking off in a new direction it gave out on him and caused him to hobble a bit. He tried to instantly shrug it off and keep running but he soon hobbled to a stop. He supposedly told others he "heard a pop". You do not push this for any lousy amount of additional money on his contract.

Due diligence is now necessary which means more then a single MRI review. Something is weakened in that knee. They are saying he may have avoided something serious. That doesn't mean there isn't a small problem. When it comes to knees, small problems lead one direction and that's to big problems if you keep playing on it. If he plays there should be a brace on it to avoid letting it blow apart.

What's worse for Towns right now? Possibly losing additional money (he may still get it), or spending the next two seasons attempting to get back to the level he finally just reached in his career.

I'm not taking anything lightly. Did you miss the part where I said if healthy? I bolded it for you to help. KAT is likely behind Davis, Embiid, and Jokic for the three center spots, but it's close. one factor he has over those other guys is he plays almost every game. He sits for the rest of this season he can kiss the money goodbye. IF IF IF he is healthy and the wolves deny him that chance he would and should be mega pissed off. Sure the Wolves have a lot to gain by sitting him. $40 million in cash and a great tanking run down the stretch. A healthy KAT has nothing to gain and a hell of a lot to lose. That is why I said on your whim.

[Derek2001]

So why no official announcement from the team about Karl Anthony towns injury? Robert Covington supposedly only had a bone bruise . Call me a little skeptical on the optimism about Karl. If something pops in your knee something pops in your knee.......

[Jedzz]

I'm not taking anything lightly. Did you miss the part where I said if healthy? I bolded it for you to help.

Yes I saw it. He's clearly not perfectly healthy to play right now. I'm trying to impress the reality of that upon you no matter what positive bs you are hearing. Something is not correct in that knee at this moment. The risk for it to go very bad now is Up.

You also have made it clear his right to go out and try to earn that extra money, to go from his 25 to 30%, is very important. Is it really 40? or is it 31.5? Or something else? It probably was important to him these last few months. I'm suggesting it's not as important now as maintaining his ability to play long term. If he doesn't get that someone should at least try and explain it for him. It's not like he's on a vet min contract right now.

Maybe I've got this wrong, but doesn't he just have to achieve two years of All NBA out of any 3 years? So wouldn't that mean he could still earn it next year? Which would be a season he's not dealing with so much team trade mess to start it.

If something serious happens. How much does he risk losing in current or prospective side deals when he's not playing at all for a long peroid or risks ever playing this high level again? Does it approach the 31.5 million?

If he keeps playing going after it now he should put a brace on and play with that. Doesn't anyone think he's at least earned 3rd team again?

[KGdaBom]

I'm not taking anything lightly. Did you miss the part where I said if healthy? I bolded it for you to help.

Yes I saw it. He's clearly not perfectly healthy to play right now. I'm trying to impress the reality of that upon you no matter what positive bs you are hearing. Something is not correct in that knee at this moment. The risk for it to go very bad now is Up.

You also have made it clear his right to go out and try to earn that extra money, to go from his 25 to 30%, is very important. Is it really 40? or is it 31.5? Or something else? It probably was important to him these last few months. I'm suggesting it's not as important now as maintaining his ability to play long term. If he doesn't get that someone should at least try and explain it for him. It's not like he's on a vet min contract right now.

Maybe I've got this wrong, but doesn't he just have to achieve two years of All NBA out of any 3 years? So wouldn't that mean he could still earn it next year? Which would be a season he's not dealing with so much team trade mess to start it.

If something serious happens. How much does he risk losing in current or prospective side deals when he's not playing at all for a long peroid or risks ever playing this high level again? Does it approach the 31.5 million?

If he keeps playing going after it now he should put a brace on and play with that. Doesn't anyone think he's at least earned 3rd team again?

I'm strictly talking about if healthy. If he's not fully healthy he shouldn't play. You stated he shouldn't play another minute this season. If not healthy he shouldn't be playing. If healthy he should. It's not complicated. As for the $ amount I thought it was 40 million or more.

[Jedzz]

I'm strictly talking about if healthy. You stated he shouldn't play another minute regardless of his health. If not healthy he shouldn't be playing. If healthy he should. It's not complicated.

I never said "he shouldn't play another minute regardless of his health." Never said it. Never typed it.

It is complicated as others have suggested, because Towns may claim he's feeling 100% or near it in order to play to keep gunning for the money even you are claiming is so important.

[Jedzz]

Does Karl still have the opportunity to chase that extra money next season by achieving ALL NBA next season, and therefore two years out of three? I think he does but someone should correct me if I have that wrong.

[KGdaBom]

I'm strictly talking about if healthy. You stated he shouldn't play another minute regardless of his health. If not healthy he shouldn't be playing. If healthy he should. It's not complicated.

I never said "he shouldn't play another minute regardless of his health." Never said it. Never typed it.

It is complicated as others have suggested, because Towns may claim he's feeling 100% or near it in order to play to keep gunning for the money even you are claiming is so important.

You just typed he shouldn't play another minute this season. You didn't say anything about his health. That is why I said regardless. If he's healthy IMO it should be KAT's choice to play. If he's healthy and the Wolves deny him to play that will go down very bad.

[KGdaBom]

Does Karl still have the opportunity to chase that extra money next season by achieving ALL NBA next season, and therefore two years out of three? I think he does but someone should correct me if I have that wrong.

I'm pretty sure he doesn't. I think he has to meet the incentive before the extension kicks in.

[Jedzz]

I'm strictly talking about if healthy. You stated he shouldn't play another minute regardless of his health. If not healthy he shouldn't be playing. If healthy he should. It's not complicated.

I never said "he shouldn't play another minute regardless of his health." Never said it. Never typed it.

It is complicated as others have suggested, because Towns may claim he's feeling 100% or near it in order to play to keep gunning for the money even you are claiming is so important.

You just typed he shouldn't play another minute this season. You didn't say anything about his health. That is why I said regardless. If he's healthy IMO it should be KAT's choice to play. If he's healthy and the Wolves deny him to play that will go down very bad.

Please point our or quote the spot where I said such a thing. I did not. I have said repeatedly that this knee issue now poses a threat and he should not play without giving it time to heal. Which is clearly me saying he is not healthy.

You keep saying, "if healthy". Well when exactly is it supposed to magically heal exactly? I'm telling you knee issues don't work like a cut on the arm that heals infront of your eyes in a couple days. Something has weakened his knee and now it's a matter of giving it serious enough time to heal before playing again or risk really destroying it.

Yes it would be bad for Wolves to purposely stop him from playing "if Healthy". But it's not as easy as just asking Towns how he feels. That wouldn't be fair to the team either. Everyone that watched that game saw him have two instances of knee problems, cuiminating in him raising an arm and asking for help on the opposite side of the court. Stop with the "if healthy" stuff.

[Jedzz]

Does Karl still have the opportunity to chase that extra money next season by achieving ALL NBA next season, and therefore two years out of three? I think he does but someone should correct me if I have that wrong.

I'm pretty sure he doesn't. I think he has to meet the incentive before the extension kicks in.

Oh so before his current deal starts he must reach the two All NBA births. Ok.

[Klomp]

I never said "he shouldn't play another minute regardless of his health." Never said it. Never typed it.

It is complicated as others have suggested, because Towns may claim he's feeling 100% or near it in order to play to keep gunning for the money even you are claiming is so important.

You just typed he shouldn't play another minute this season. You didn't say anything about his health. That is why I said regardless. If he's healthy IMO it should be KAT's choice to play. If he's healthy and the Wolves deny him to play that will go down very bad.

Please point our or quote the spot where I said such a thing. I did not. I have said repeatedly that this knee issue now poses a threat and he should not play without giving it time to heal. Which is clearly me saying he is not healthy.

You keep saying, "if healthy". Well when exactly is it supposed to magically heal exactly? I'm telling you knee issues don't work like a cut on the arm that heals infront of your eyes in a couple days. Something has weakened his knee and now it's a matter of giving it serious enough time to heal before playing again or risk really destroying it.

Yes it would be bad for Wolves to purposely stop him from playing "if Healthy". But it's not as easy as just asking Towns how he feels. That wouldn't be fair to the team either. Everyone that watched that game saw him have two instances of knee problems, cuiminating in him raising an arm and asking for help on the opposite side of the court. Stop with the "if healthy" stuff.

If the doctor clears him, he should play

[jpatrick]

All-NBA will be interesting. Embiid has game-played issues, but if he plays the rest of the season, he’ll be on one of the teams. Jokic is a lock because he’s putting up serious numbers, as the best player on one of the best teams in the league record-wise.

That’s leaves Davis, KAT, Gobert, and maybe someone like Vucevic for the final center slot. Davis would be a lock, but he may be out due to games played and some voters just disliking how he’s handled the past month. My money would be on Gobert, but I wouldn’t be shocked by any of those first three.

And I’m sure KAT will play if healthy. Although, since the playoffs are a long shot, dropping a few slots in the standings may be for the best long term.

[KGdaBom]

I never said "he shouldn't play another minute regardless of his health." Never said it. Never typed it.

It is complicated as others have suggested, because Towns may claim he's feeling 100% or near it in order to play to keep gunning for the money even you are claiming is so important.

You just typed he shouldn't play another minute this season. You didn't say anything about his health. That is why I said regardless. If he's healthy IMO it should be KAT's choice to play. If he's healthy and the Wolves deny him to play that will go down very bad.

Please point our or quote the spot where I said such a thing. I did not. I have said repeatedly that this knee issue now poses a threat and he should not play without giving it time to heal. Which is clearly me saying he is not healthy.

You keep saying, "if healthy". Well when exactly is it supposed to magically heal exactly? I'm telling you knee issues don't work like a cut on the arm that heals infront of your eyes in a couple days. Something has weakened his knee and now it's a matter of giving it serious enough time to heal before playing again or risk really destroying it.

Yes it would be bad for Wolves to purposely stop him from playing "if Healthy". But it's not as easy as just asking Towns how he feels. That wouldn't be fair to the team either. Everyone that watched that game saw him have two instances of knee problems, cuiminating in him raising an arm and asking for help on the opposite side of the court. Stop with the "if healthy" stuff.

sorry. Jpatrick said it and you jumped in. I'm not going to stop with if healthy because he might be perfectly healthy right now. Whenever he is healthy he should play whether that be today, a week from now, or next season.

[KGdaBom]

You just typed he shouldn't play another minute this season. You didn't say anything about his health. That is why I said regardless. If he's healthy IMO it should be KAT's choice to play. If he's healthy and the Wolves deny him to play that will go down very bad.

Please point our or quote the spot where I said such a thing. I did not. I have said repeatedly that this knee issue now poses a threat and he should not play without giving it time to heal. Which is clearly me saying he is not healthy.

You keep saying, "if healthy". Well when exactly is it supposed to magically heal exactly? I'm telling you knee issues don't work like a cut on the arm that heals infront of your eyes in a couple days. Something has weakened his knee and now it's a matter of giving it serious enough time to heal before playing again or risk really destroying it.

Yes it would be bad for Wolves to purposely stop him from playing "if Healthy". But it's not as easy as just asking Towns how he feels. That wouldn't be fair to the team either. Everyone that watched that game saw him have two instances of knee problems, cuiminating in him raising an arm and asking for help on the opposite side of the court. Stop with the "if healthy" stuff.

If the doctor clears him, he should play

Thank you. Looks like he won't play today.