Karl-Anthony Towns is either a huge fan favorite or a scapegoat depending on the day, it seems, among Knicks fans, but as the fans in Minnesota watch these NBA Finals, they are still mostly certainly rooting for KAT and the ‘Bockers to take home the O’Brien Trophy.
“He came to the Wolves as the No. 1 pick in 2015, when they had really fallen into the gutter of the NBA at one of their lowest points,” The Athletic’s John Krawcynzki told Lori Rubinson over the weekend. “He was this bright-eyed, enthusiastic, smart, engaging 19-year old, and really what they saw over nine years was a player grow from a boy to a man – not only on the court, where he got the Wolves from that gutter into contention, but also just from a personal standpoint. He went through all of the human emotions you face as a young person growing in life, so I think seeing all that made the fans feel connected to him.”
If you’re one of those Knicks fans in the latter bucket, well, another one of the team’s stars has some thoughts for you on the hometown hero:
“He’s been a great teammate. But the person he is, is fantastic…always tries to help, whether he knows you or not, and it translates on the court,” Jalen Brunson told the media Wednesday after the Knicks’ Game 3 loss had sunk in. “It’s an unfair narrative with him. But I truly love that dude.”
Krawczynski told Lori Rubinson about how Anthony Edwards had a similar relationship to Brunson’s with KAT in Minnesota, and how Towns also would gladly take second fiddle in the spotlight to other players – which we’re seeing in New York with Jalen and Karl.
“For a player of his stature – six-time All-Star, No. 1 pick, all the money he has made – that’s unique, and I don’t think enough people acknowledge this is a selfless player who is willing to change his game, his position, or his status on the team to accommodate others,” Krawczynski said.
Head coach Mike Brown noted after that loss that getting Towns, who has zero fourth-quarter points in this series, back on track will be huge going forward for what he called a ‘stagnant’ offense – which Towns appreciated – and letting him get back to being that two-way stud may be the key to unlock the final two wins the Knicks need to bring home a title.
“We often romanticize being a jerk as part of being a superstar,” Krawcyznki said. “It keeps on beating the drum you have to go dominate, and sometimes that doesn’t work for people. If KAT tried to do that, he wouldn’t be comfortable, and it would be inauthentic. I think Mike Brown has done a great job of trial and error and trying to find the next thing – and he’s found a role for KAT that accentuates his strengths, minimizes his weaknesses, and doesn’t ask him to be something he’s not. He has the physical ability and talent, but if you want him to impact winning at a high level, it’s more about being an impactor on the team however he can.”
Can KAT impact the Knicks in that way in Games 4 and 5, and 6 and/or 7 if necessary, to mark the Knicks’ first parade in a half-century?
