The Minnesota Timberwolves Have Finally Found Their Franchise Player In Karl-Anthony Towns

With 4:30 left in the fourth quarter, the Minnesota Timberwolves were trailing the sharp-shooting Portland Trail Blazers by five, 99-94.

As the offense stagnates, Kevin Martin, in a state of desperation, swings the ball to Karl-Anthony Towns on the right wing. In a savvy, veteran-like fashion, he would drill his first cold-blooded 3 of his career.

The Blazers would quickly ambush the Wolves the very next possession, spearheaded by Damian Lillard, who slithers into the lane off of a side pick-and-roll. However, as the explosive lead guard realizes a glimpse of daylight, his attempt at the basket would be eclipsed by a swift 7-foot pterodactyl — swatting Lillard’s shot into oblivion.

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KAT would let out an emotional cry as his mentor and predecessor, Kevin Garnett, tribally screams right behind him.

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In what was his least impressive game to date, statistically, Towns still managed to wow the capacity crowd, and the millions watching at home, with his play and passion.

Minnesota would go on to lose to the Blazers — thanks in large to some shoddy officiating at the end of game — falling to 2-1 on the young season.

A lot of positives can be taken through three games, however; Ricky Rubio looks more confident and better than ever, the starting unit is extremely stout defensively, and their core of Timberpups — most notably, Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad, and Zach LaVine — exhibit one or two breathtaking glimpses of their tantalizing potential a game.

Karl-Anthony Towns, on the other hand, has separated himself from everyone else on the team. It may be premature, but KAT not only plays, but conducts himself, like a transcendent talent.

It seems with every passing game, he’s breaking or matching some sort of NBA record for a teenager.

Dunking with Wolves

Unlike most teenage, one-and-done prodigies, Towns is not just all arms and legs — he’s already an incredibly refined inside-outside threat.

At his core, he’s a guard trapped in a 7-footer’s body, equipped with a silky smooth stroke and a compact right-hand dominant handle. His year at Kentucky forced him to evolve into a back-to-the-basket savant.

Thus, when combined with his NBA-ready body in a sturdy 250-pound frame, not since Tim Duncan, has a rookie big man impeded the league with as complete of a package as the former Wildcat.

Imagine if JaVale McGee had a basketball-functioning brain, you would get KAT. Towns just inherently knows how to play — extremely judicious in curating passing lanes for his passers, whether he’s sliding into Rubio’s line of vision for a spot-up J or veraciously sealing his man as Ricky negotiates a high- pick-and-roll.

As well, he’s already shown an ability to inflict stress on the opposing D by serving as a high-post hub. Towns is nearly automatic from the nail/top of the key, shooting a blistering (small sample size alert) 71.4 percent from the said areas of the floor thus far, per NBA.com.

Moreover, only Jahlil Okafor, Derrick Favors, Blake Griffin, and Dwyane Wade produce more points from their “elbow” touches than Towns. When the defense collapses on his J, KAT can comfortably pump-and-go and blow by his opponent to finish strong around the basket, converting on nearly 73.7 percent of his field goal attempts within eight feet.

Defensively, with the intangible tutelage and explicit backing of KG, Towns has been equally as splendid on that end of the floor.

It’s not just the highlight reel blocks he lays on unsuspecting guards; KAT has also been extremely diligent with his rotations through three contests — helping the helper, effectively hedging out on pick-and-rolls and containing the opposing ballhandler in a pinch, as well as sliding into help position in a timely manner when his perimeter brethrens fail to prevent dribble penetration.

In fact, of all players who defend eight or more field goal attempts at the rim per game, only Festus Ezeli, Rudy Gobert, and Al Horford protect their basket better.

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And while his propensity to foul still rears its ugly head — averaging over 4.7 fouls per 36 minutes — most of his violations are not a result of late or untimely rotations; in contrast, they mostly derive from his penchant for over-committing on his opponent’s initial move and tendency to bite on fakes.

I keep telling myself, it is just three games, but KAT has shown enough that he — and not Andrew Wiggins or Ricky Rubio (although he’s the team’s most valuable player, considering who his backup is) — is the Wolves’ unquestioned franchise player going forward.

Anthony Davis may be the incumbent poster child for the future of the big man position in the NBA, but as scary of a thought as it is, Towns is ahead of the Brow’s curve at the same stage. Like Davis, Towns puts up astonishing numbers with the same brand of effortless ease and efficiency — dominating seemingly without breaking a sweat.

As important as the development of Wiggins is, force-feeding the gangly pogo-stick in the post, especially in crunch time, may not be the most prudent of propositions, particularly when you take into account Towns already present a more attractive option.

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I may be out of my mind in putting KAT on such an esteemed pedestal, but if you really watch Towns — giving him your undivided attention — you too will come to the conclusion that he is the true transcendent cornerstone of the Minnesota Timberwolves.