A new head coach, new style of play, and a slightly modified role hasKarl-Anthony Towns in adjustment mode. And before the season, Towns said that he didn’t know where he sees himself in the new Knicks offense.
In a new season that is just two weeks old, Towns is off to a slow start, averaging 18.3 points while shooting 38.0 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from the three-point line in six games. This includes a nightmare eight-point night on 2-for-12 shooting against the Milwaukee Bucks last Tuesday.
Though he bounced back with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in New York’s 128–116 win against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night, Towns still has to work to find his comfort zone in Mike Brown’s new offense.
Towns has come under fire for his uninspiring launch to the season, but it’s early. With high expectations, there’s a strong external reaction to every loss. But there’s sure to be more highs and lows that the Knicks will have to navigate through the course of an 82-game season. Patience will be important throughout the entire campaign.
Towns is dealing with a grade two right quad strain and it’s likely a factor in his poor performance. Though he’s generally struggled to shoot from all over the floor, Towns’ offensive issues have been most noticeable around the basket -- where he has very little lift when rising up for a finish. The All-Star center is shooting just 47.4 percent in the restricted area according to NBA Stats, down from 66.9 percent last season.
Brown has looked to implement a new offense, wanting New York to move the ball via the drive and kick philosophy, launch more threes, and pick up the pace to create easier offensive opportunities. In the long run, that should be helpful for Towns as the pace and space should give him easier looks as a scorer and more room to operate.
So far, the results have been inconsistent.
New York is 3-3 after six games. The perimeter shooting has had its ugly moments like when they made just 15 of 54 treys (27.8 percent) in a 115-107 loss to the Miami Heat last week. But in the win against Chicago, New York’s offense was elite, recording 31 assists and converting on 20 of 42 three-point attempts (47.6 percent).
In need of an evolution
The Knicks need more from Towns if they want to seriously contend for a championship.
Towns is a solid overall passer at the center position, but he needs to improve as a playmaker. Brown has tried to have Towns operate at the elbows or on the perimeter as a passer like he did with Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. It has led to middling results. The big man is averaging more turnovers than assists this season.
One of Towns’ weaknesses is his ability to read the game and make adjustments on the fly. Once Towns puts the ball on the floor as he looks to barrel his way to the basket, he rarely passes out to shooters. Towns’ decision making was better on Sunday. The hope is that through trial and error, he makes better reads as the season rolls on.
With Mitchell Robinson back from a four-game absence to start the season, Towns’ role in the offense is much more iffy. He becomes a power forward, and is still effective because of his outside shooting ability, but it makes him less of a centerpiece. But Towns has proven capable of making it work. He played on the floor with Robinson in the playoffs last season, and with Rudy Gobert as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This season is critical for Towns and the Knicks. He’s turning 30 years old in November, and he is also eligible for a contract extension. How he adapts to the new system and style of play this season will shape his future in New York.
Raphielle Johnson
