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Who Are The Unicorns Of The NBA?

By Cameron Stewart

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) greets Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the game at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) greets Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the game at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Karl-Anthony Towns

While the Warriors were chasing history last season, a few stories went under the radar. Chief among those stories was Karl-Anthony Towns having one of the greatest rookie seasons in the modern NBA history.

Towns is the center of the future and seems like a lock to be a generational talent.

As a rookie, Towns tossed up 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the floor and 34.1 percent on three-point attempts.

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How many other players have totaled that many points, rebounds, and three-point percentage (while taking at least 50 threes) in one season? Three, and it’s a pretty solid list: Larry Bird, Kevin Love, and Kevin Garnett.

Towns did it before he could legally drink alcohol. He also compiled these numbers while playing 3.8 minutes per game less than the next closest season with those numbers being put up.

Towns will likely become the prototype for what teams dream of when they search for a superstar big man.

If there’s any knock on Towns as a basketball unicorn, it’s his defense that could use improving. He allowed opponents to shoot 47.9 percent at the rim last season, a pretty average mark. His defensive numbers at the rim are ordinary, but his ability to switch defensively onto guards makes him a plus-defender. Ask Stephen Curry.

You couldn’t ask for a better coach for Towns to improve on that number than Tom Thibodeau, who is considered to be the father of modern NBA defenses.

With a year under his belt and possibly the best defensive coach in the league, expect Towns’ biggest leap to be on his interior defense.