NBA: Post-Summer League Rookie Of The Year Standings
By Ezra Siegel
3. Karl-Anthony Towns – Minnesota Timberwolves
The No. 1 overall pick is always a top contender to win the Rookie of the Year award, and Towns is no exception.
The Kentucky product has all the skills that an NBA team covets. His tenacious defense, command on the glass and offensive potential make him the ideal big man for today’s NBA.
Despite playing a limited number of minutes on a stacked Kentucky team, Towns showed tremendous efficiency as a freshman while averaging around 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes per game. His advanced stats were top of the line, as he posted a 28.98 PER while leading the NCAA in defensive rating and win shares per 40 minutes.
In his first stint as a pro at the Las Vegas Summer League, Towns was inconsistent, but flashed his top tier potential. He put up solid numbers while averaging 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 blocks, but his efficiency needs work as he shot below 40 percent, turned the ball over 3.4 times per game and committed over six fouls per game.
It's summer league and all, but Towns is making passes out of the post that some guys don't make for years in the league.
— Couper Moorhead (@CoupNBA) July 11, 2015
Like Russell, Towns’ inconsistencies may hinder his early production, but he’s bound to improve over time. Yet, with an excellent passer in Ricky Rubio running the offense for the Timberwolves, Towns should be a beneficiary of great passes, especially out of the pick and roll.
It’s uncertain how the Timberwolves’ rotation will shake out before opening night, but it’s almost a certainty that Towns will be playing a lot of minutes as head coach and team president Flip Saunders attempts to develop his young talent. There’s no question that Towns has the talent to succeed in the NBA. If he puts his elite tools together early, it will be tough to take him down in the Rookie of the Year race.
Next: Mile High Rookie Potential?