Minneosta Timberwolves power rankings: KAT remains king of the jungle

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 27: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves heads to the locker room after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 27, 2017 at Target Center 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 - OCTOBER 27: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves heads to the locker room after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 27, 2017 at Target Center 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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 1: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 1, 2017 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 1: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 1, 2017 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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!