Karl-Anthony Towns is an enigma, a polarizing figure, and also happens to hold the keys to just how good the Knicks can be this season.
KAT possesses a rare combination of talent and size that is matched by only a handful of basketball players in the world, and on many a night, we see plenty of flashes of it, leading to a Knicks win. But on other nights, especially earlier this season, those flashes seemed harder to come by, leading to disappointed, confused, and frustrated fans, as well as some ugly Knicks losses.
And while a non-insignificant portion of New York’s fanbase continues to dislike Towns and find every reason to pit every loss on the big man, the truth is, Towns has actually been playing well. Very well. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that he’s overall been the best Knicks player for some time now, and he’s gotten there right ahead of the playoffs, at the exact best possible time.
Over their last 20 games, in which they are 15-5, Towns leads the team in plus-minus at a +202, while plus-minus darling, OG Anunoby, ranks second at just +176. And over his last 10 games, he’s turned it around offensively, averaging 19.8PPG, and 11.9RPG while shooting 46.4% from the field, and 34.8% from three. Those numbers still pale in comparison to the usual 23+PPG on 50%+ shooting from the field, and 40%+ shooting from three, but it’s still a trend in the right direction as it includes a five-game stretch of 20+ points, which is the longest of the season. And whether he’s had 17 shots as he had in Chicago, or eight shots like he had last night, there’s no questioning just how much more efficient Towns has been.
But why is this? What has suddenly changed for Towns? Some of it comes down to a very mundane answer of, “he’s just playing better”. He’s been more decisive, more aggressive, and he’s just been more efficient with the shots he’s gotten. Yet a lot of it goes beyond that.
It seems like the team as a whole, both Mike Brown and the players, have made a more concerted effort to play through the big man. While Brown hasn’t changed much in how he uses Towns, he understands more than anyone just how important Towns is to this team’s success. And while there are still multiple times every game where players, most notably Jalen Brunson, miss an open Towns, guys have looked to get the ball to the big guy.
And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Towns’ best stretch on the offensive end came just two games after Jose Alvarado joined the Knicks. It has been clear as day that the backup point guard has looked to feed Towns. And the numbers back it up. Evident by the graphic below, which shows Towns’ possessions with Alvarado entering last night’s game, Towns has a higher usage rate when playing with Alvarado, and his points per 76 possessions, as well as his overall efficiency, are significantly higher.
I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that his best stretch offensively coincides with maybe the best defense he’s played as a Knick. Now, Towns will never turn into a Mitchell Robinson or Rudy Gobert level of elite rim-protecting, shot-altering defender. But during this recent stretch, likely due to the increased offensive involvement, he’s been very solid, dare I say, even good. He looks more attentive, the energy and effort are there, and he’s had much fewer of the head-scratching mistakes we saw so much over the last season and a half. Brown, who has not been shy of calling Towns’ defensive efforts out this season, has been very complimentary of what Towns has done on that end of the floor, and for good reason.
Obviously, this isn’t the largest sample size. And there are still things he can do better. But given what this team is asking of him, his role in Brown’s system, and his early-season struggles, it’s been an awesome sight to see such a crucial part of this team finally finding his way.
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