NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Star Break Edition
Honorable Mention: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Rank: N/A
Position: Center
Age: 20
Slash Line: .544/.375/.852
Season Averages: 30.1 MPG, 17.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 1.4 APG, 1.8 BPG
He may be a rookie, but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to keep Karl-Anthony Towns out of the Top 20. He’s erupting with star-caliber performances on a relatively consistent basis, and is averaging a double-double during his first season in the NBA.
The Minnesota Timberwolves may not be competing for a spot in the postseason, but Towns is undoubtedly playing at a Top 20 level.
Towns opened this past week with 26 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks on 12-of-19 shooting during a victory against the Chicago Bulls. He posted 19 points and 12 boards on 6-of-10 shooting in 29 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans, and erupted for 35 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks during an upset of the Toronto Raptors.
Whether he’s a rookie or a 10-year veteran, those are superstar numbers.
According to Basketball-Reference.com, Towns is one of four players averaging at least 17.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in 2015-16. The other three—DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, and Andre Drummond—were all selected to the All-Star Game.
It may not be happening in 2015-16, but it’s safe to assume Towns will be joining those players in the very near future.
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