Acquired in a deal that sent multiple All-Star Julius Randle and fan favorite Donte DiVincenzo, there was a ton of pressure on Karl-Anthony Towns to hit the ground running. It was incumbent on him to develop chemistry with his teammates and team captain Jalen Brunson quickly. Thus far, Towns has shown impressive play and early chemistry with his teammates. The New Jersey native is home and playing like the best center in the league to start the season.
It’s been an astonishing run so far; Towns is averaging 26.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on .551/.500/.850 shooting splits. He’s combining terrific vision and the ability to bully in the paint with the smoothest outside shot for a big you’ll see since Dirk Nowitzki. He’s also showing impressive court vision. Every game he seems to be developing chemistry with his teammates and showing impressive early focus under coach Thibodeau.
KAT Fits Knicks Like a Glove: Head Coach and Teammate Praise Towns’ Impact
Towns spent his first nine seasons in Minnesota, developing into one of the game’s best bigs. The Timberwolves built the team around his strengths, with Anthony Edwards‘ elite scoring and Rudy Gobert‘s rim protection beside him. Despite his All-Star status, Towns was developing a reputation for being ‘soft‘ at times. There were questions about how he would handle the intensity playing in New York. However, that critique looks entirely unfounded. He’s been a double-double machine and physical inside scorer.
One of the best examples of his determination was during a defeat; Towns was imperious putting up a 46-point double-double in their 124-123 loss to the Bulls. Towns was phenomenal, but he was angry at himself for missing two free throws down the stretch. While MSG was ready to clear up for the night, and their announcers were finishing their post-game, Towns stayed on the floor, taking extra free throws. This is the kind of accountability and determination that proves himself to the city and his teammates.
Towns is also developing nice early chemistry with his teammates. While not usually known as a passer, he’s done an excellent job reading OG Anunoby‘s and Brunson’s cutting lanes. We’ve seen him set a pick and pop effectively with Jalen Brunson at the top of the key, forcing the defender to sell out, which opens up the cutting lanes. We saw examples of that in recent games against Washington and Phoenix. He also dropped a seven-assist game against the Pistons.
Seven assists tonight from KAT
pic.twitter.com/tRRpjVFsOi— Teg
(@IQfor3) November 2, 2024
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He’s also mastering the no-look behind-the-head pass. Indeed, after the Pistons game, Josh Hart remarked
“He’s even a better passer than I thought.”
There are several factors for this; playing beside Josh Hart and OG Anunoby on the wings and playing relentlessly on both ends of the court is helping court spacing. Brunson’s development into more of a playmaker helps. The fact he’s playing for his hometown team is a key aspect, too. Yet another underrated aspect comes from the coach.
Benefitting From Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau has been known as a big-man whisperer. He turned Julius Randle into a three-time All-Star. He also helped earn Isaiah Hartenstein a massive contract in OKC after a career year in New York. Furthermore, Mitchell Robinson has developed under his tutelage, and Thibs has produced career years from Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson in the past.
With all that in mind, imagine what he can do with one of the best scoring bigs the league has ever seen in KAT. So far, so good, expect Thibodeau to work on his defensive game over the coming months, protecting the paint is still a clear weakness. He’s allowing far too many easy baskets and uncontested shots at the rim. However, offensively, Towns is looking supremely focused. Not to mention, his rebounds are up, so his aggressiveness is there.
There is a challenge on Thibodeau. Especially with the acquisitions of Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Towns come bigger expectations. Not only that, but improving on their second-round defeat of last year and getting these guys all singing from the same hymn sheet.
Tom Thibodeau said the following about these factors to SNY
“Keeping the focus on daily improvement, good things will come. He went on to say… each day, he’s (Towns) gotten more and more comfortable. When you look at the starting group, it’s really three new guys.”‘
Thibodeau is an ideal coach to get the best out of him, keeping him focused and holding everyone accountable. Notably, Thibodeau coached Towns for two and a half years in Minnesota. Thibs recently praised Towns for his development.
“I had him when he was young…we’d do shooting drills & he wouldn’t miss any…Wasn’t quite as strong as he is now…didn’t have the experience…now he has that. He’s a student of the game. He keeps adding…He’s seeing the whole floor now”
–– Thibs on KAT pic.twitter.com/B3zInjDiIw
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) November 18, 2024
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Considering the problems over in Milwaukee that Doc Rivers is having with team chemistry in a similarly star-studded team, Thibodeau deserves more credit than he gets around the league. Thibodeau might be the coach at getting a bit extra out of his team.
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