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Mid-Week Matchup: Timberwolves vs. Thunder

By Max Neuhaus

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Just like teammate Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns is dripping with potential. The difference between the two is that Towns has shown a ton of what he can do through just two seasons, while Wiggins has plenty of things to clean up and improve. Steven Adams, on the other hand, is what he is: a bruiser down low who isn’t afraid to get dirty and mix it up with anyone in the post.

In many people’s minds, the former Kentucky Wildcat should have made it onto the All-NBA Third Team instead of Los Angeles Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan. With that only being his second season in the league, that is pretty darn impressive.

Towns increased his rookie season scoring average from 18.3 to 25.1 points per game in his second year. He shot 36.7 percent from three last season on 3.4 3-point shots per game as opposed to 34.1 percent on 1.1 3-pointers as a rookie. His free throw percentage and rebounding rate increased as well. Really, I could sit here all day telling you how Towns improved.

This season, the Wolves big man looks to take a big step forward defensively. As the seven-foot anchor in the middle of the defense, his responsibility is to be able to protect the rim when players on the perimeter get beat. With the amount of work he put in during the offseason and now working with defensive guru Taj Gibson, expect to see him make a huge jump on that side of the court.

Steven Adams is not at the caliber of Karl Anthony Towns, but he isn’t being asked to do that, either. OKC coach Billy Donovan want him to win physical battles, stick up for teammates, and rebound. He is not great in any one category, as where Towns is great and bordering on elite in may categories.

Advantage: Karl Anthony Towns

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