Having unanimously won 2016 Rookie of the Year the season prior, the Timberwolves’ Karl Anthony-Towns continued his development toward being a future All-Star during the 2016-17 season.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been a revelation for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ever since being the first pick of the 2015 draft, the man out of Kentucky has emerged as the man to more than likely lead them out of their ongoing playoff drought.
With two seasons in the books, Towns has played in all 164 matches, starting every single game and improving each time he steps on court.
Coming into the 2016-17 campaign, KAT has proven why he is the perfect player to build franchise around.
Statistics
Towns has improved across all areas of his game.
The steady rise of the 21-year-old has been evident in just his stats, bettering nearly every individual statistic. Below are his figures, with bold outlining the better stat:
Stats 2015-16 2016-17
MP 32.0 37.0
FG/FGA/FG% 7.6/14.1/.542 9.8/18.0/.542
3P/3PA/3P% 0.4/1.1/.341 1.2/3.4/.367
2P/2PA/2P% 7.3/13.0/.559 8.5/14.7/.582
Efg% .555 .582
FT/FTA/FT% 2.7/3.4/.811 4.3/5.2/.832
ORB/DRB 2.8/7.7 3.6/8.7
AST 2.0 2.7
STL 0.7 0.7
The aforementioned statistics showcase how Towns has improved in all areas of his game. Whether it be from beyond the arc, the line, or at opposite ends of the court catching boards.
If a franchise wants to be successful, the key is having at least one truly special players. For Minnesota, that man is Towns.
Three-Pointers
One of the more intriguing figures shown is that of his three-pointers scored, attempts and percentage.
The drastic increase has been KAT’s biggest differential from the 2015-16 season, with an improvement of .026, compared to 0.13 in two-point percentage and .021 in free throw percentage.
Furthermore, only two centers in the entire regular season came above Towns in three-point percentage: Pau and Marc Gasol.
Of course, his 101 three-point makes made Karl Anthony-Towns the first-ever player in NBA history to achieve 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 100 three-pointers.
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Towns’ ability to hit from beyond the arc was imperative in Minnesota having a good stretch of wins after main trey man – Zach LaVine – was ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Top-Tens – Center
KAT was also ranked “numero uno” in points per game as a center with 25.1, a whole 4.6 ahead of the next best, the Brooklyn Nets’ Brook Lopez. In fact, he was in the top-ten for rebounds, field goals, free throws and assists.
Starting every game meant a major increase in his minutes, thus placing second in most turnovers averaging 2.6, behind injury prone Joel Embiid.
His most impressive stat featuring in the “Top-Tens” was arguably the double-doubles chart. Towns totted-up a grand total of 62 double-doubles, meaning that 74 percent of his games included at least one.
Out of the 75 centers ranked, only Marc Gasol also achieved a triple double, which the Spaniard did twice.
Top-Three Games
Vs New York Knicks – Target Center – 106-104, Loss
Despite a career game, Karl Anthony-Towns was powerless to Carmelo Anthony’s Knicks in late November. Coming up against New York’s big Kristaps Porzingis, the scene was set for a scintillating display from the Dominican.
He notched 22 in the first quarter, ending up with a career-high 47 points along with 18 rebounds. ‘Melo hit a clutch shot, and the Wolves could not pick up the win that Towns deserved.
After the game, he said he had “to do more”.
At Denver Nuggets – Pepsi Center – 105-103, Loss
Although KAT was not exactly at the races, this game makes his “Top-3″ for the sheer fact he got his first of what will most likely be many triple-doubles.
Towns registered 15 points on 7-of-17 FG with 11 rebounds and 10 assists. It proved to be a career-high assist total.
Even with this success, his off-day makes on court meant another two-point defeat for the Timberwolves.
At Los Angeles Clippers – Staples Center – 104-101, Win
Although others may feel his performance in the 142-130 loss in Houston with 37 points and 22 rebounds is worthier, or even his 40-point game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Dunking With Wolves’ wished to include a win in KAT’s top games.
On January 19, the Wolves were in L.A. for some new year’s basketball, and KAT made sure they would go back to Minnesota with a W.
Towns put up an impressive 37 points, as well as 12 rebounds, five assists and a steal. Making 17 of 24 shot attempts, Towns’ field goal percentage was .708.
Although he shot a perfect 1.000 on eight shot attempts versus Atlanta on December 26, including 3-of-3 on three-pointers, a road win over the Clippers tops that for us.
Next: What If The Timberwolves Had Nailed The 1996-98 Drafts?
Although unable to become an NBA All-Star this time around, it really is just a case of continually improving until he achieves such a status. Putting the Wolves into the playoffs would seal the deal, and maybe, just maybe, next year will be Towns’ time to really shine.