Karl-Anthony Towns is having a better season than you think

Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 12: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers on December 12, 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 – DECEMBER 12: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers on December 12, 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) /

Post Play Efficiency

Even though Towns has seen some run at the four spot offensively, he has still been highly efficient in

post-up situations

. Actually, he should probably be getting more touches in the post based on the table below. (Stats courtesy of

nba.com

)

Screen Shot 2018-01-02 at 6.36.55 PM
Screen Shot 2018-01-02 at 6.36.55 PM /

Outside of the numbers, Towns understands how to react situationally depending on the type of post touch he gets. In the video below he receives an off-ball screen on the weak-side block from Jamal Crawford.

(All videos courtesy of

3ball.io

)

Knowing his defender went over the screen and is trailing, Towns waits no time by quickly flicking a left hook through the net before the defender can catch up.

In this instance however, he takes his time to get to the middle of the lane and finish with his vintage right hook:

Towns realizes the double-team isn’t coming and has time to work his man and get exactly where he wants to on the floor.

In this video, Towns does attract a double-team and reacts accordingly:

Yogi Ferrel comes tries to help onto Towns while he is backing down a defender. Before Ferrel has the opportunity to make him pick up his dribble, Towns already shifted course and delivers another right hook, this time on the baseline away from the double-team.

Based on his points per post touch and the film, Towns is more than just an exceptionally talented big man with absurd potential. He understands how defenses are trying to defend him and how he should react based upon that. That is impressive considering Towns has less than three years of NBA experience under his belt.