NBA Awards Watch: Karl-Anthony Towns Blows The Competition Away
By Ben Nadeau
Rookie of the Year
1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week: 1, –)
Karl-Anthony Towns is a freak.
The massive talent led the way this week for Minnesota in a two-win display against the Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets, putting up numbers you might expect night in and night out from established veterans. And, despite losing to the Boston Celtics on Monday, Towns became the 2nd youngest player to ever tally a 25-point, and 15-rebound game. Of course, the youngest would be LeBron James, so I’d say that nine weeks into his rookie season, that’s some pretty good company to have.
Towns’ Line of the Week: 12/21 vs. BOS– 25 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, 8-14 FG%
Week Grade: A
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2. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks (Last Week: 2, –)
Although Porzingis is slumping in terms of his points and rebounds averages, a closer look will reveal a few shocking things about him and the New York Knicks. Last Wednesday, Porzingis blocked 7 shots in his first head-to-head matchup with the aforementioned man, Karl-Anthony Towns — think he wanted to leave a good impression on that game? Secondly, the Knicks went 3-1 and have successfully pulled themselves right back into the Eastern Conference hodgepodge of a playoff race. I’m sure Porzingis will take a few hits on his averages in order to secure some Taps Mania come April.
Porzingis’ Line of the Week: 12/16 vs. MIN — 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 blocks, 3 turnovers, 4-14 FG%
Week Grade: B
3. Justise Winslow, Miami Heat (Last Week: 3, –)
Yes, to say that his statistics aren’t pretty would be an understatement, but Justise Winslow just continues to add a dimension to this Miami Heat team that they lacked before. Sure, they’re anchored by Dwyane Wade‘s somtimes-MVP-lite performances, Chris Bosh‘s scoring, and Hassan Whiteside’s constant block parties, but it’s Winslow that helps hold it together. Watch out for Winslow in the 2nd half of the season — with Miami flying this high already, they may release their best draft pick since Wade on the rest of the NBA.
Winslow’s Line of the Week: 12/ vs BRK — 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block, 4-5 FG%
Week Grade: B-
Week 1: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 2: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 3: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 4: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 5: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 6: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 7: Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
Week 8: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 9: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Next: Golden State of Mind