Karl Anthony Beast

[Mstermisty [enjin:6864008]]

https://twitter.com/HarrisRob3/status/760931054144421889

I'm seeing more of a man-body in Towns already. Look at Shaquille O'neal in his first couple years in the league, looks a lot like Towns did last year. So the question is, how much bigger can Towns get physically? His parents are both pretty wide people, lol.

As much as I love that he shoots the 3-pointer and can handle the ball like a guard, what I really hope to see is a guy who starts dominating under the hoop with a combination of strength and skill--an extreme rarity in this league (look at Dwight Howard--has the strength but not nearly the skill Towns has shown already).

Anyway, just another of many reasons to get hyped for the season. KAT got pushed around a little bit last year by bigger centers, but this season no doubt he will start closing the gap.

And a final note: As good as Golden State is going to be (makes me sick to think about it), the one thing they don't have is a dominant big man. Towns is our trump card against them.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm not sure what the exact measurables were for Shaq coming out of college, but I remember watching him at LSU and he was an absolute man among boys. There is no way KAT has that kind of God-given power and strength, even though I do think he will bulk up and get stronger as he grows older.

One thing KAT has demonstrated is an offensive skill-set almost unparalleled by any big man in history. I'm serious about that. If you go back and look at the highlights from his high scoring games last season, what is amazing is the diversity of ways he can score the ball. 3-pointers, drives to the hoop, jump hooks, 20-footers, fast break dunks, up-and-under moves, etc., etc.

And he's only going to get better.....

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'm not sure what the exact measurables were for Shaq coming out of college, but I remember watching him at LSU and he was an absolute man among boys. There is no way KAT has that kind of God-given power and strength, even though I do think he will bulk up and get stronger as he grows older.

One thing KAT has demonstrated is an offensive skill-set almost unparalleled by any big man in history. I'm serious about that. If you go back and look at the highlights from his high scoring games last season, what is amazing is the diversity of ways he can score the ball. 3-pointers, drives to the hoop, jump hooks, 20-footers, fast break dunks, up-and-under moves, etc., etc.

And he's only going to get better.....

Yeah, Shaq was much bigger and stronger than KAT in college...remember this SI cover?


https://www.google.com/search?q=sports+illustrated+cover+of+Shaq+at+LSU&biw=1032&bih=486&tbm=isch&imgil=IBmmH05ylBNdZM%253A%253B2kpuoLYkHvIdPM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.si.com%25252Fnba%25252Fphotos%25252F2013%25252F03%25252F06shaquille-oneal-the-college-years&source=iu&pf=m&fir=IBmmH05ylBNdZM%253A%252C2kpuoLYkHvIdPM%252C_&usg=__VsvneZ4AWgQLZwflI6kndcPYBgI%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjPgo3u46fOAhXESSYKHRcsCoEQyjcIQA&ei=gjejV8-5H8STmQGX2KiICA#imgrc=IBmmH05ylBNdZM%3A

But Q is right...KAT is much more skilled at this age than Shaq. And misty's point is well-taken...KAT is only 20 with room to grow, and more physical strength is only going to make him more dominant.

[kurrdog53 [enjin:7013678]]

There is no doubt that Shaq was unparalleled in his power and strength. But, lets be honest, that was foundation of his game. Misty is right that if KAT can show the ability to dominate on the block (especially when we really need a high-percentage bucket), it will make him that much more difficult to guard. He can be a dominate player.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I don't know.....I think some quickly forget just how dominant Shaq was for his first 8-9 seasons....before he started wearing down quickly. Averaged 29 - 12 - 3 - 2. He was a very good passer, and really had a solid game. People tend to peg him as this lumbering idiot that only scored because of his size (partially true...), but he was more than just sheer size and power.

That being said, I completely agree that Towns is already more skilled and versatile than Shaq ever was. But don't be fooled...outside of Wilt, I don't know that anyone was just flat out tougher to defend than Shaq. Towns is going to be a stud, but Shaq is a tough comparison for me.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I don't know.....I think some quickly forget just how dominant Shaq was for his first 8-9 seasons....before he started wearing down quickly. Averaged 29 - 12 - 3 - 2. He was a very good passer, and really had a solid game. People tend to peg him as this lumbering idiot that only scored because of his size (partially true...), but he was more than just sheer size and power.

That being said, I completely agree that Towns is already more skilled and versatile than Shaq ever was. But don't be fooled...outside of Wilt, I don't know that anyone was just flat out tougher to defend than Shaq. Towns is going to be a stud, but Shaq is a tough comparison for me.

8 or 9 seasons might be on the low side. He was a 20 / 10 guy for 14 seasons. He was still 28 / 11 after more than a decade in the L.

[Monster]

I think a physical projection of what Towns could look like that would be a beast and maybe more reasonable is Deandre Jordan who wasn't a beast when he came into the league but looked capable of putting on weight etc. That guy is physically difficult to deal with and he has no offensive game. Not many guys will be as cut as Dwight Howard (or David Robinson) and Shaq was a once in maybe ever type physical package. It may take Toens a couple years to develop his body because he is still young but it's going to be an asset certainly not holding him back assuming he stays healthy. Combined that with his skill...well it's pretty insane. He should be one of the most enjoyable players to watch for the next 15+ years.

[Porckchop]

Holy smokes, pump the brakes a Lil bit. He's far more Anthony Davis than Shaq .
On sheer mass alone he will never be Shaq , and even if he did end up putting on another 70-80 lbs of muscle you can say good bye to those knees in 5 years.
I'd say his offensive range (if he absolutely hits his potential) would be more Ewing / Hakeem . Defensively he really hasn't shown anything to be considered in those fellas realm .

[worldK]

I kind of look at towns like a rich man's version of chris webber. By 'rich' I mean more clutch, better shooting and better mental toughness and hopefully healthier. Webber was a heck of a player and i see towns as what a more complete and lethal webber would be.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I kind of look at towns like a rich man's version of chris webber. By 'rich' I mean more clutch, better shooting and better mental toughness and hopefully healthier. Webber was a heck of a player and i see towns as what a more complete and lethal webber would be.

Yeah, some kind of cross between Webber, AD, Wilt, Hakeem, and Shaq, with a little Larry Bird thrown in for good measure. Oh, and some Bill Bradley too, since KAT will be a senator some day.