Stopping Nikola Jokic is probably any team’s fable plan. Executing it has an elevated degree of difficulty. Still, the New York Knicks managed to do it with physicality, and Karl-Anthony Towns had to play on the edge. He got into early foul trouble, playing under 30 minutes, one of his lowest marks this season. It did the job, however, Draymond Green spoke critically of his defensive tactics against the Joker.
“Pride must make you sit down and guard, even if you give up 40… Winning is a mindset, and in order to win a championship you have to win the mental edge,” he wrote in his tweet about KAT’s defense on the three-time MVP. Ultimately, the Knicks’ collective effort made the Joker uncomfortable, limiting him to just 17 points. Moreover, Towns has had a history of successfully curbing his game.
Hence, Patrick Beverley, a former teammate of Towns in Minnesota stepped up to defend the now Knicks’ powersome center. “cmon Dray give that man his flowers. Kat was the main reason Minnesota beat the Nuggets last season,” he reminded Draymond Green. Beverley didn’t launch an attack. He only wanted to relay the message of Towns being an outstanding talent that can in fact lead a team to glory.
“I know we competitive as athletes but Kat is a talent and is respected by his peers. seems like u don’t respect him which is cool but Kat got real game,” the former Lakers guard concluded his message to Green.
Defensively, yes, Karl-Anthony Towns is still learning how to be proficient when guarding centers such as Nikola Jokic. However, his counter is by matching their motor offensively. With the Wolves, Towns was confined to playing an unnatural position and forced to shoot the ball much more.
But now, back with his former coach Thibs, that has changed. Not only is KAT back as a center, but the Knicks starlet is back to his best.
Karl-Anthony Towns is a formidable presence for the Knicks
Since coming to the Knicks, Towns saw a great change in his positioning and style of play. He could play under the basket far more than in his final years for the Wolves. Likewise, that paved the way for him to flaunt his natural gifts. Under Thibs, Towns’ relentless energy and juggernaut playstyle has revolutionized the New York Knicks.
In 43 games, Towns has already tallied 38 double-doubles. It rivals his early years with the Timberwolves when he played the role of a forceful center. But while his opportunities to shoot have waned, Towns remains a prolific shooting big. This season, he is shooting 42.4% from three, a career-high.
Only Nikola Jokic is converting a better percentage among centers on similar attempts this season. His impact on winning is greatly tangible too. This season, he has compiled 7.2 win shares according to Basketball Reference. It’s the best rank for a Knicks player and only three other players in the NBA have greater win shares.
With him playing in his comfort zone, Karl-Anthony Towns is arguably one of the most versatile centers in the NBA today. He can rebound the ball on either end of the floor and is a complete package offensively. With him, the Big Apple is drastically better and his impact is indismissable.
