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NBA: The Association’s All-Future Team

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Target Center. The Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-104. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Target Center. The Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-104. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

F/C: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Position: Center

Age: 20 (11/15/1995)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 1 (2015)

Slash Line: .547/.344/.818

Season Averages: 31.5 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.9 ORPG, 1.7 APG, 1.7 BPG, 0.7 SPG

Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Davis are close to identical as case studies. Both played a defensive-oriented role in limited minutes for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats, both were selected at No. 1 overall, and each possess genuinely elite potential on both ends of the floor.

While Davis is clearly further along in his development, the 20-year-old Towns has an advantage over his peer: a body that’s built to take more punishment.

Injuries can happen to even the most physically fit players, but Towns, 250 pounds, has a stronger build than Davis, 222 pounds, did coming out of college. He’s equally as skilled offensively and explosive athletically, and some might even go as far as saying that Towns’ post game is more evolved.

Regardless of which player you prefer, there’s no way around how far ahead of the pack Towns is in the race for Rookie of the Year.

Statistically speaking, Towns is already one of the best centers in the NBA.

For the season, the 20-year-old is averaging a double-double with just under 2.0 blocks on an incredibly efficient slash line. Since January 1, Towns has been even hotter, tallying marks of 19.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.2 offensive boards, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game.

There are clearly flaws that Towns must address, but they are few and far between. He may already be one of the Top 35 players in the NBA.

Next: Double-Double Machine