Karl-Anthony Towns continues to impress, but what five goals should KAT set in order to break the Timberwolves’ playoff hoodoo in 2017-18?
“I’m the ‘Big KAT’ now,” is how Towns concluded one of his promotional advertisements for KitKat back in May of this year.
But to be the ‘Big KAT’, you have got to play like a Big KAT.
That is not to say Towns failed to capitalize upon his Rookie of the Year performance following the 2015-16 campaign, as he did improve across all areas of his game.
The Timberwolves ended the 82-game haul 13th in the Western Conference in 2016-17, with a 1-7 record and the bitter aftertaste of Tom Thibodeau’s first year in Minneapolis. Towns was the shining light, however, as the Big KAT rose to the big occasion.
Completing the rather impressive 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 100 three-pointers stat line, ‘respeck‘ was put on his name, something that had become the case since a road win over LA Clippers in January.
For Towns to topple more records for the Timberwolves, the New Jerseyan must attempt to reach these five goals in the coming months.
1. Improve Defensively
During the hectic 2018 NBA Draft and recent free agent fracas, the Timberwolves managed to acquire Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and most recently, Jamal Crawford.
Defensively sound, Jimmy G. Buckets and Gibson could be the men behind Towns achieving the first of these five goals. Although Teague and Crawford are, shall we say, a little lackluster when it comes defense in the back court, Butler and Gibson are far more solid in this regard.
His rebounding game is strong, though switches and tracking at a better rate can be implemented within this new style.
When Thibodeau’s defensive system started to take shape midway through the 2016-17 season, the weakness of both KAT and Andrew Wiggins at the back was there to be seen.
However, with both players hovering in their early twenties, this is not something to be overly concerned about at this very moment, but changes must be made soonish.
With Butler commanding the guard positions alongside Teague, there should be more emphasis on KAT’s work-rate at the back.
His rebounding game is strong, though switches and tracking at a better rate can be implemented within this new style.
A style that maybe could spell a bigger amount of triple-doubles…
2. Notch Triple-Doubles
- Russell Westbrook – 44
- James Harden – 22
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 1
KAT actually landed tied for 14th in the triple-double count in 2016-17, but the differential between Towns and Harden in second place is as big as the gulf currently looks. Considering that ‘The Beard’ had half the score of Russ, these numbers are more than just a stat.
Towns has had just the two seasons to begin recording triple-doubles, and the aforementioned one is his only one, secured against the Denver Nuggets in a late Christmas present to himself.
Westbrook, the newly appointed trip-dub king a few months ago, had managed two following his inaugural 2008-09 season in the same time.
KAT may not be Mr. Triple-Double as of yet; he is far more comfortable currently in the double-double department through points and rebounds, but this could change in the coming years.
There is no reason Towns cannot continue to grow in the assist department, especially with new guys Butler, Gibson and Teague around.
But the main reason the Kentucky man can continue his quest for triple-doubles is on the next slide…
3. Keep up his relationship on-court with Gorgui Dieng
Forever undervalued, Gorgui Dieng has the power to get the best out of Karl-Anthony Towns.
Although there has been talk of how Dieng could suit the sixth-man role, the introduction of both Jamal Crawford and another power forward in Taj Gibson could mean that Gorgui keeps his starting role.
KAT has worked well these past two seasons with Dieng, considering the current power forward used to work the center role before Towns was drafted. Dieng has covered Karl on defense when called upon, but also played a great pick-and-roll game with the 7′-0”.
Their rather reclusive relationship both on-court and off bodes well for both guys, keeping themselves to themselves in the process.
As KAT will continue to ply his trade in the center role despite his ever-expanding game that makes him a good for power forward, Dieng is the catalyst to building Towns as an NBA great.
But first, an All-Star showing should be on the cards…
4. Become an All-Star
“You know what, it did a little bit, it did a little damage to me,” is how Towns described to Sporting News what missing out on the All-NBA team felt like.
This news, coupled alongside his NBA All-Star snub back in January, shows us something that could and should be broken this coming season.
Soon to be playing alongside someone who has had a fair numbers of All-Star appearances in Jimmy Butler, KAT will be making sure one of his main goals in to end this early career hoodoo.
His stats are All-Star quality at his young age, and in saying that, KAT did remain positive in the more recent interview mentioned above.
"But that’s all right, because it is all about team success. You’ve got to win. You’ve got to win to be respected in this league. You have to do little things, there are things we can do as a team. We have to come back as a stronger team and win in the playoffs, because the playoffs are the most important thing."
The closing sentence symbolizes exactly what KAT’s fifth goal should be…
5. Break the Timberwolves’ playoff drought
Trenton Hassell is in the zone. He is talking to Latrell Sprewell and Darrick Martin during Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
It is the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Target Center — a game remembered in Minneapolis as a 98-96 win for the home team.
The Lakers eventually won the series four games to two just 48 hours later, but whilst they would go on to feature in eight more off-seasons since, the Wolves have been without such a feeling since that late May game.
Step forward, Karl-Anthony Towns.
The introduction of the rookie in 2015 has had the weight on his shoulders for two years to try to bring playoff basketball back to Target Center.
2018 could be that year.
Whatever Towns may have as his own personal goals, it would be unlikely that breaking the playoff drought is not on there.
Next: Cheap Free Agents For The Timberwolves (Part 3)
Complete the other four goals, and the playoff dream shall follow.