Timberwolves fans have to appreciate Karl-Anthony Towns’ effort and attitude.
Despite expectations that Minnesota would contend for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Wolves have limped out to a 5-13 start.
Towns, like everyone else has been disappointed, he hasn’t been pointing fingers. In fact, the only person he’s been blaming for the Wolves struggles is himself.
Even on a night when Towns put forth a herculean effort, scoring a career-high 47 points (on just 22 shots) and grabbing 18 rebounds, Towns told reporters that he needs to do more.
Karl-Anthony Towns is the youngest player in Timberwolves history with a 40-point game & got there in 253 games quicker than KG. pic.twitter.com/OQeqNmGbO2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 1, 2016
“I had miscues, where I let things slide away, missed three free-throws, missed some rebounds, missed some shots I should have made, so I gotta do more,” Towns said after the game.
While it’s nice to hear Towns take accountability, the question needs to be asked, how much more can KAT really do?
Nearing a quarter of the way through his second season in the NBA, Towns is averaging 22.4 points, 10 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. The big man is shooting 50 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the free throw line.
When you compare those numbers to some of the greatest big men in the modern era, you find that Towns is already among them.
Here’s a quick reference:
- Shaquille O’Neal 23.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 2.3 bpg
- David Robinson 21.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.0 bpg
- Hakeem Olajuwon 21.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 3.1 bpg
- Tim Duncan 19.0 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.2 bpg
- Karl Malone 25.0 ppg, 10.1 rpg, .8 bpg
No matter what Towns says he may not be able to fix it alone.
In Wednesday’s 106-104 loss to the Knicks – the same night Towns single-handedly put up 47 – the Wolves bench combined to score 5.
