Hoops Habit
Fansided

2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: Who Can Challenge Towns For ROTY?

By Nathan Grubel

Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns competes in the skills challenge during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns competes in the skills challenge during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 11
Next
Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S player Jahlil Okafor (8) knocks the ball away from World player Kristaps Porzingis (6) in the second half during the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S player Jahlil Okafor (8) knocks the ball away from World player Kristaps Porzingis (6) in the second half during the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

Porzingis is the only true challenger to Towns in the field of rookies. He’s had the team’s success in terms of improvement behind him, and he’s in a larger market than Towns. His raw numbers don’t exactly add up to Towns’ statistics but his efficiency and advanced metrics do.

Getting off to a rough start shooting didn’t help Porzingis but he’s turned things around and looks much more confident offensively. On defense he’s still making an impact protecting the rim and switching onto power forwards and centers as needed.

In terms of upside, Porzingis could become better than Towns down the road because of his size advantage and natural shooting ability. But playmaking and strength training will be his main focuses in offseasons to come if he wants to beat out Towns as the best player from this draft class.

Next: The Townsmanian Devil