4 Players Who Are Changing the NBA As We Know It
Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns also stands 7'0" tall and, weighing in at 244 pounds, is almost the exact same build as Embiid. Where the two centers differ is their origins. While both played just one year at two of the nation's best college basketball programs, Towns is American-born and a year younger than Embiid.
We can't say that either player's origins have produced much of an advantage over the other. That won't likely happen, either way. However, Towns has the advantages of seasoning, health, and situation.
As we noted, Towns is younger, but, due to Embiid's foot problems, he's played one more season than the 2014 draftee. He has a full year of NBA play under his belt, having played all 82 games a year ago. This year, it's been more of the same, as Towns has played in all 45 games of the 2016-17 season.
Towns' health has provided him with valuable time early on in his career. The same can be said for the situation he currently finds himself in. Absent many veteran players, the Minnesota Timberwolves are all about the future, which is smart because their best players are all young anyway.
That, in unity with the addition of head coach Tom Thibodeau, has given Towns a perfect opportunity to grow as a player.
In his tenure with the Chicago Bulls, Thibodeau was known for playing his stars big minutes. Just over halfway through Thibs' first season as the Wolves' coach, we've seen that mindset carry over, Towns included.
Accordingly, Towns' minutes are up to 36.2 per game from 32.0 a season ago. In that time, KAT has flourished.
| Per Game | PTS | REBS | BLKS | 3PMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 22.4 | 11.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 |
As is the case with Embiid, Towns has carved out a niche of his own in the NBA history books.
He's the only seven-footer ever to average 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds, as well as at least 1 block and 1 three-point make per game.
Due to his minutes and ability to take advantage of them, Towns has also dished out 3.0 assists a contest. He's been a stat-sheet fiend, plain and simple.
Even if we disregard Towns' stature, there are only two other players -- DeMarcus Cousins and Shawn Marion -- who have ever achieved this per-game stat line. If you're wondering, 26 is the average age of those three seasons (Cousins has two, as we saw earlier).
It's not minutes alone that have Towns filling up the box score either. On the season, he has a usage of 27.2% and is shooting over 50% from the field on 17.3 attempts per game. By playing with such efficiency, Towns has tallied a team-high .162 win shares per 48 minutes.
As he finishes out the rest of this year's campaign, and even further forward into the coming years, expect more of the same from Towns. He's the cornerstone of the franchise and will be one of the most coveted NBA players in the league as he continues to grow as an all-around player.
