By james art It wasn’t what New York Knicks fans expected when the team traded Karl-Anthony Towns. The elite scorer has started his career with just 9.3 goals from play per game. That’s significantly lower than his career average of 16. In response, Gilbert Arenas has expressed displeasure not with KAT but with Coach Tom Thibodeau.
Gilbert Arenas noted that the Knicks offense remains designed around guards and forwards. Jaylen Brunson and Julius Randle have excelled at this style of play in the past. So far, that hasn’t used a high-volume shooting center like Karl-Anthony Towns. He also argued that Thibodeau’s unwillingness to adjust is hindering Towns.
That’s why coaching is so important, that’s why training camp has to be taken seriously… You don’t have any games for it, great. But you’ve been in this game for a long time as a coach. You know there are things you can put into it that don’t require any practice. It’s just weird that these old coaches have become so lazy.
Gilbert Arenas at Gil’s Arena
“You haven’t passed the ball to the five in how many years? So you don’t really have plays for [KAT].”
Gilbert Arenas on why KAT is fighting the New York Knicks. pic.twitter.com/bkfBSfLYEB
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) October 29, 2024
The addition of KAT to the Knicks was intended to bolster a team that finished as the second seed in the Eastern Conference last season. But for now, it looks like the T-Wolves are prevailing, with Donthey Di Vincenzo and Julius Randle settled in well.
While it’s still early days, Towns’ snap volume is an issue. With 28 field goal attempts in three games, that’s a career low for the multiple All-Star. He’s shooting 50%, but has only attempted six 3-pointers.
Karl-Anthony Towns will fuel the rivalry between the Knicks and the Heat
The legendary rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat has intensified with the arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns. The two teams remain the biggest threat to the Eastern Conference favorite Boston Celtics. Towns will experience the rivalry firsthand Wednesday night at the Kaseya Center.
Also, Towns’ past with the Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler added an intriguing subplot. Their tumultuous tenure together with the Minnesota Timberwolves under Tom Thibodeau led to Butler’s trade request as he downplayed the past while focusing on the present.
I’m here in New York. That’s all I can think about right now. I’m Nick. You bring up Minnesota. I’m not Timberwolf anymore. I’m Nick.
Karl-Anthony said (via Christian Winfield of the New York Daily News)
Karl-Anthony Towns leaves Jimmy Butler drama in the past: “I’m here in New York. That’s all I can think about right now. I’m Nick. You bring up Minnesota. I’m not Timberwolf anymore. I’m Nick. #Knicks #NBA
https://t.co/JUzM97dynT
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) October 30, 2024
The Knicks will want to focus on getting back to winning ways after losing 110-104 to the in-form Cleveland Cavaliers last time out. Let’s hope coach Tom Thibodeau can take advantage of KAT’s skill set and elevate the team to remain a threat in the East.