Karl-Anthony Towns says one specific factor motivated Timberwolves last season

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in one of the most prosperous eras in their history. Things have not always been so great in the Twin Cities, and long-time Timberwolves fans are probably still sitting around wondering when they are going to wake up from what feels like an incredible dream.

But it can be easy to forget that just a year ago, there were some serious doubts Minnesota would ever reach their sky-high ceiling. Acquiring Rudy Gobert was admittedly a risk, and the results were still yet to show up until the 2023-24 season.

Karl-Anthony Towns recently appeared on Podcast P with Paul George, discussing his team's incredible achievements. In doing so, he was asked about how much the constant media criticism and criticism from outside fans played a part in them doing what they did this past season. According to KAT, it absolutely was a legitimate factor.

KAT says outside criticism motivated Timberwolves

Towns recalled a particularly viral moment from 2023 where he was publicly asked about how the Timberwolves can win with three big men, something that has seen limited success in the modern NBA. At the time, KAT said to simply watch them do it. He was lambasted for the take at the time, but he ended up being correct.

"We were motivated [by the criticism], said Towns. "We heard the talk. We heard all the static outside about how we're supposed to look on television, and we just didn't listen. We understood who we were since before anyone believed in us. Even before we went to Abu Dhabi, we knew what the team was. We knew what we could accomplish, and we just had to lock in."

Karl's words likely echo the sentiment of much of the Timberwolves fanbase. Back in the summer of 2023, there were plenty of NBA fans and even big-name media outlets looking down on Minnesota, predicting them to once again finish in the play-in range in the West. But those who had been paying close attention to the team knew what kind of group they could be.

It is highly encouraging to see a team respond so positively to harsh outside criticism. Such a strong-willed answer from the Timberwolves should give fans even more encouragement as to how they will respond to difficulties in the upcoming season.