Minneosta Timberwolves power rankings: KAT remains king of the jungle
1. Karl-Anthony Towns (1)
Season stats: 32.7 MPG – 21.8 PPG – 10.9 RPG – 2.0 BPG – 55.4% FG – 33.3% 3PT – 89.6% FT
Weekly stats: 30.5 MPG – 17.3 PPG – 9.5 RPG – 2.3 BPG – 51.1% FG – 38.5% 3PT – 88.9% FT
It wasn’t a very Karl-Anthony Towns type week, but the big KAT did enough to help his team to four unanswered wins, making it five in a row overall.
His 2-point disaster against the the dominant big men in New Orleans was arguably the worst individual game of his young and fun NBA career – but it wouldn’t bog Towns down – as he roared back with a 31-point, 12-rebound, 2-block massacre of the Dallas Mavericks.
https://twitter.com/ZombiaxX/status/927082741451120640
His offensive game may have been a bit rusty this week, but Towns stays perched at the top of the power rankings this week due to his hard work to improve his much maligned defense.
Much like Wiggins, Towns improvement in his Defensive Rating was amazing (111.3 to 99.6). Towns also managed to block over 2 shots per game this week, including this monster against the Hornets.
We all know how good Towns is on offense, so it isn’t worrying for him to have a down week. Defense will be the key to Towns superstar status, and this week he has taken major steps.
Big enough steps to allow KAT to be king of the jungle again in the Dunking With Wolves power rankings.
Next: Brian's breakdown: Pick-and-roll defense
Tune in next week to see how our Wolves have performed!