KAT in the Top 5

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

By almost any metric, KAT is a top 5 NBA player this season. That is awesome for us. He's taken another step forward in his development and will hopefully continue to mature.

If Wiggins can stay on track (if, if, if!!!), he'd fill the valuable role of perimeter shot creator, either for himself or others. Between him and KAT, you'd have two players that can carry an offense.

The path to playoff relevancy in future years (and may be even this one....may be) becomes so much easier if this trend continues.

[Leado01]

Top 5 might be a bit optimistic. Top 15 certainly.

I see too many flaws in his game that the Davis, James, Greek, Lillard, Leonord types don't have.

He still disappears in games, often as a result of stupid or emotional fouls that render him useless as a defensive center.

He needs to find the line between generating aggressive play from emotion and habit. He will do that with time.

[Lipoli390]

Top 5 might be a bit optimistic. Top 15 certainly.

I see too many flaws in his game that the Davis, James, Greek, Lillard, Leonord types don't have.

He still disappears in games, often as a result of stupid or emotional fouls that render him useless as a defensive center.

He needs to find the line between generating aggressive play from emotion and habit. He will do that with time.

Guess what - Davis disappears in games quite often and the others do as well. Q was apparently basing his assessment on metrics. I don't know which ones, but he said, "by almost every" metric. So the objective case for putting Towns among the top 5 must be pretty strong. However, I'll never put him in the top 5 until he stops constantly back peddling on defense and stops picking up dumb emotional fouls.

[Wolvesfan21]

KAT lead the league in fouls last season. Many times that leads to him being off the floor. So I would agree that is his biggest weakness in his game. Still figuring out how to defend aggressively and productively without fouling.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Top 5 might be a bit optimistic. Top 15 certainly.

I see too many flaws in his game that the Davis, James, Greek, Lillard, Leonord types don't have.

He still disappears in games, often as a result of stupid or emotional fouls that render him useless as a defensive center.

He needs to find the line between generating aggressive play from emotion and habit. He will do that with time.

Everyone has flaws. And those flaws are most glaring to the fans that watch the players every game. You don't think Bucks fans get frustrated by Giannis' 60% free throw shooting? That is pretty crappy for probably the best player in the NBA.

For THIS season, I really only see four players at or above KAT's level of production: Giannis, Harden, LeBron, and Doncic (unbelievable how skilled this kid is).

[Lipoli390]

Top 5 might be a bit optimistic. Top 15 certainly.

I see too many flaws in his game that the Davis, James, Greek, Lillard, Leonord types don't have.

He still disappears in games, often as a result of stupid or emotional fouls that render him useless as a defensive center.

He needs to find the line between generating aggressive play from emotion and habit. He will do that with time.

Everyone has flaws. And those flaws are most glaring to the fans that watch the players every game. You don't think Bucks fans get frustrated by Giannis' 60% free throw shooting? That is pretty crappy for probably the best player in the NBA.

For THIS season, I really only see four players at or above KAT's level of production: Giannis, Harden, LeBron, and Doncic (unbelievable how skilled this kid is).

I agree, Q. Those are the only 4 I can think of right now who are at or above KAT's overall production level this season. And you're right that a player's flaws are most glaring to the fans who him regularly. Let's hope KAT continues to work on fixing his flaws. Hard to believe that he can get even better if he does.

[Leado01]

Top 5 might be a bit optimistic. Top 15 certainly.

I see too many flaws in his game that the Davis, James, Greek, Lillard, Leonord types don't have.

He still disappears in games, often as a result of stupid or emotional fouls that render him useless as a defensive center.

He needs to find the line between generating aggressive play from emotion and habit. He will do that with time.

Guess what - Davis disappears in games quite often and the others do as well. Q was apparently basing his assessment on metrics. I don't know which ones, but he said, "by almost every" metric. So the objective case for putting Towns among the top 5 must be pretty strong. However, I'll never put him in the top 5 until he stops constantly back peddling on defense and stops picking up dumb emotional fouls.

I think you restated my exact premise. He doesn't disappear by "letting down." He's a liability when he decides that he can "out physical" Joel Embid, Gobert . . . etc . . . or when he sets a moving screen (albeit usually because the screenie is taking a bad angle).

I hope Wiggins is back tonight.

[Monster]

Top 5 might be a bit optimistic. Top 15 certainly.

I see too many flaws in his game that the Davis, James, Greek, Lillard, Leonord types don't have.

He still disappears in games, often as a result of stupid or emotional fouls that render him useless as a defensive center.

He needs to find the line between generating aggressive play from emotion and habit. He will do that with time.

Guess what - Davis disappears in games quite often and the others do as well. Q was apparently basing his assessment on metrics. I don't know which ones, but he said, "by almost every" metric. So the objective case for putting Towns among the top 5 must be pretty strong. However, I'll never put him in the top 5 until he stops constantly back peddling on defense and stops picking up dumb emotional fouls.

I think you restated my exact premise. He doesn't disappear by "letting down." He's a liability when he decides that he can "out physical" Joel Embid, Gobert . . . etc . . . or when he sets a moving screen (albeit usually because the screenie is taking a bad angle).

I hope Wiggins is back tonight.

Towns screening has gotten better. That illegal screen he was called for against Utah...no clue how that was a foul. It wasn't.

One thing Towns has on a couple of those guys on the list is availability. That's not a small thing.

We are sitting here having a conversation about Towns maybe being a top 5 player even in terms of production and nobody is calling anyone crazy...is saying something about what he is doing right now. The funny thing is that before Wiggins was out for a few games he was on a stretch where he was arguably playing better than Towns. What universe have we stumbled into? I'm not leaving or waking up! Lol

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Karl-Anthony Towns is also quietly the best shooter in basketball and likely going to do things this year that only Steph Curry has ever done. His volume and efficiency is unprecedented for someone his size.

[thedoper]

Karl-Anthony Towns is also quietly the best shooter in basketball and likely going to do things this year that only Steph Curry has ever done. His volume and efficiency is unprecedented for someone his size.

As the highest supporter of KAT's shooting early on, did you think he'd be this efficient? It's baffling to me. Bill Simmons compared him to Sheed earlier in in KATs career, but this type of shooting from a big really is unprecedented. Its pretty amazing to watch.