Karl-Anthony Towns is leading the way for the Timberwolves as the face of the franchise and has achieved incredible numbers in his short NBA career. With many years left in the league, what does Towns need to achieve for his career to end in a Hall of Fame induction?
A quick look at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ career stats leaders will show you that Karl-Anthony Towns has worked his way into the top ten in a number of major statistical categories you would expect from an elite big-man including rebounds, blocks and points. However, Towns also currently leads the Wolves’ in points per game, despite being in a league dominated by three-point guards.
It’s clear Towns has made his impact felt on the Timberwolves, despite only being in his third year in the NBA. While a career such as this, should it continue on the current trajectory, may involve a jersey retirement after Towns is done in the league, there is likely more he will have to achieve to make his impact on the league for a Hall of Fame induction to be a lock.
For starters, let’s have a look at Kevin Garnett, who is considered a guaranteed induction for the 2019 Hall of Fame class.
Garnett leads the Timberwolves in 24 career statistical categories, despite playing eight seasons elsewhere. Garnett is considered the greatest Timberwolf, and one of the greatest Celtics, of all time, and despite a messy breakup is certainly deserving of having his jersey retired in Minnesota, becoming just the second player to do so.
It’s not just Garnett’s achievements in his respective teams that make him a Hall of Fame lock, but the impact he made league-wide.
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Garnett was the 2003-04 NBA MVP and also took home the 2008-09 Defensive Player of the Year award. Although clearly not with the Timberwolves, Garnett is also an NBA champion.
While Towns has the 2015-16 Rookie of the Year award under his belt, he’s likely going to need some more honors before his career is over to join basketball royalty.
Garnett made 15 All-Star appearances in his career, winning All-Star MVP once. Towns is yet to make an All-Star appearance in his short career, and unless he gets some love from the coaches and media is likely to miss out again this year.
To add to his list of achievements, Garnett achieved 12 All-Defensive Team nods, nine of which came on the first team. Along with this, his nine All-NBA selections, four in the top bracket, began in his fourth year in the league.
Towns is still only in his third year in the NBA, and has definitely made his presence known, but is yet to have any major honors acknowledging his top-level play past his ROY award.
While it’s tough to pinpoint numbers that Towns must average in an ever-changing league, maintaining his status as a major player for the Timberwolves (or, god forbid, another team) will be essential for Towns to continue his path to stardom.
Throughout his career, Garnett averaged 17.8 points, 1.4 blocks, 1.3 steals, 3.7 assists, 10 rebounds and shot 49.7 percent from the field in 34.5 minutes per game, making 1462 appearances. Garnett’s career highs include (in different games) 47-points, six blocks, seven steals, 10 assists, 25 rebounds and a 31-point game in which he shot 82 percent from the field.
In his short career, Towns has averaged 21.4 points, 1.5 blocks, 0.7 steals, 2.3 assists and 11.5, along with shooting 54 percent from the field. Towns’ career-high in points currently rivals Garnett’s with 47, as does his six blocks. His highs of three steals and seven assists fall short of Garnett’s impressive highs, and Towns’ 23 rebounds are just under what Garnett once managed.
Towns however once had a 22-point game in which he shot an incredible 100 percent from the field. An impressive 34-point effort from Towns shooting 79 percent from the field also lifted the Wolves to a win early last year.
While Towns is yet to win any major league-wide recognition in the form of awards past his rookie season, he is quietly making history along the way. Towns last year became the first player in NBA history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 100 three-pointers in a single season last year, proving his versatility as one of the league’s best big men.
His lack of All-Star acknowledgment stems less from Towns’ inability, but rather less popular than some other big name big-men in the league. Let’s face it, the Timberwolves aren’t the most popular team in the NBA, and it’s hard to compete with players from bigger markets, and those who are popular with fans.
I don’t think anybody could argue Kawhi Leonard, who had just seven appearances at the time of the first release of All-Star voting for this year, deserves to be two places ahead of Karl-Anthony Towns in sixth place, or even in the top ten at all.
All-Star voting is simply a popularity contest amongst fans, and whilst good play certainly impacts some voter’s selections, Leonard is the perfect example that the starters aren’t always the most deserving players.
Thankfully, coaches and media makeup half the vote, and could see Towns slide his way into the reserves, as he deserves.
USA Today predicted Towns will miss out, citing his defensive struggles despite marked improvement, however, the Timberwolves’ still made the list with Jimmy Butler nominated for the bench. While predictions mean nothing in the long run, it is interesting to see the take of individuals that aren’t Timberwolves fans.
All in all, Karl-Anthony Towns is on his way to a prolific NBA career. If he can continue to improve his game, Towns will eventually be recognized for his contributions to the Wolves. Not a lot of players have had the impact on their franchise that Towns did as a rookie and ever since, and the fact the Timberwolves’ currently sit fourth in the Western Conference says a lot after a 13-year playoff drought.
The Timberwolves’ success will also likely come into play when discussing Towns’ Hall of Fame worthiness, and while it isn’t championship-or-bust, a few playoff appearances certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Towns is an elite player in today’s league, and with continued improvement could find himself at the pinnacle of the NBA. All-Star games seem certain for Towns’ future, and an MVP award isn’t out of the question.
Remember the uproar when Towns’ was snubbed from the All-NBA teams last year? People are recognizing Towns’ ability, and he’s only getting better.
Next: Timberwolves' mid-season report card
Karl-Anthony Towns is just a short way into his already-successful NBA career. With plenty of time left for a number of achievements, Towns is on the path of a future Hall of Famer.