OKC Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 2019-20 team preview

Karl-Anthony Towns:

A few seasons ago KAT was the player GMs cited as who they would build a franchise around. One season later his name wasn’t even in the mix. Towns is an offensive beast who easily posts double-doubles and stretches the court and could ascend into the upper echelon of stars in the NBA if only he would commit to playing defense. The reality is he is such a force offensively that it appears the franchise will focus on building around him in order to keep him happy which likely also means so he doesn’t have to be that defensive presence.

When you put up 24.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and shoot over 40 percent from the perimeter you get that kind of leeway.

My caveat which leans more to the negative…..

Still, as much as I recognize the undeniable talent of Towns he’s been a player who annoys me with his on-air comments. Specifically, his “I” comments which dominate all his statements and never “we” or “us”.  Sometimes his comments border on humor as he speaks to how he has the team ready or does what’s necessary to make the team better. Sure he’s an amazing athlete and offensively gifted, but if he continually only speaks about how amazing he is then why would his teammates want to bust their tails in order for him to be the one who takes all the credit.

The young defenders:

Much of this statement is predicated on the health of Robert Covington who missed most of last season. At full health, he was an All-Defensive team member. When you add in sophomore Josh Okogie and the potentially strong rookie defender Jarrett Culver that provides Saunders with an impressive trio to kick start his defensive system. Now, if Andrew Wiggins decides to put his game where his comments are his athleticism alone could improve the team’s overall defensive ability.

As much as this team has nowhere to go but up after finishing last season ranked 24th.