{"time":1774754687014,"blocks":[{"id":"mnb748cj","type":"video","data":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/80d9e1ce-427c-4e3b-8499-005b62318f3c/mp4","caption":"","autoplay":false,"controls":true,"muted":false,"stretched":true,"width":0,"height":0,"image":{"url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/80d9e1ce-427c-4e3b-8499-005b62318f3c/thumbnail"},"cdn":{"videoId":"80d9e1ce-427c-4e3b-8499-005b62318f3c","libraryId":"372172","collectionId":"30032062-eefd-4041-a355-12ad05bc987b","cdnBaseUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net","mp4Url":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/80d9e1ce-427c-4e3b-8499-005b62318f3c/mp4","thumbnailUrl":"https://us-central1-deweb-519a7.cloudfunctions.net/mediaService-api/videos/80d9e1ce-427c-4e3b-8499-005b62318f3c/thumbnail","previewAnimationUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net/80d9e1ce-427c-4e3b-8499-005b62318f3c/preview.webp"}}},{"id":"1_brTZgTAZ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"With injuries running rampant across the NBA, especially to the league's biggest stars, a conversation regarding the eligibility of players for end-of-season awards has grown more and more frequent. "}},{"id":"kLIPiYbc-m","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Although, for a certain New York Knicks star, staying in games for the majority of the season has always been something that he's prided himself on."}},{"id":"nkRsB5A54I","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Karl-Anthony Towns has shared his thought's about the discussion around the NBA modifying the 65-game requirement for postseason awards like MVP, DPOY and All-NBA team lists and while he didn't give a concrete yes-or-no on what the league should do, he did share his personal beliefs about playing every game that he can."}},{"id":"_YA0bPYZrg","type":"image","data":{"caption":"Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) handles the ball defended by New York Knicks center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4b02e917-ec8a-4575-a889-25a42d7912f6.jpeg","width":5031,"height":3354}}},{"id":"5-AYW1jwXw","type":"header","data":{"text":"Towns' Philosophy","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"GITbEUOuyk","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“I do believe in the philosophy that... there may be a family or a young kid who has saved up all his money to watch me play that one night, and for me not to be available would be disrespectful to that kid and to that family,\" Towns said (via HoopsHype). \"As long as I can play, I’m going to be out there playing, hopefully give that kid a show.”"}},{"id":"cZu8rRhdNW","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Towns' statement is distinctly Kobe Bryant-esque. The Black Mamba had a similar \"go until you can't\" mentality that to some storied moments in the late NBA great's career, including an instance where Bryant tore his Achilles during a game, but stayed in to shoot free throws before exiting. "}},{"id":"8G-0_jrVN4","type":"image","data":{"caption":"New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) gestures after scoring in the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ce61ffdc-cef5-413b-9a74-65ceb6620aa6.jpeg","width":1963,"height":1309}}},{"id":"DwQXteSc8j","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Towns definitely backs up his philosophy. He played every single game for three straight seasons to start his career, though he's fallen short of 65 games played in a season four times in 11 seasons as issues with his wrist and calf have increased with age. "}},{"id":"J3djY8WsDV","type":"header","data":{"text":"Should the Game Minimum Be Changed?","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"BvWMWpvZ6B","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Amending the 65-game minimum has been widely discussed because of the sheer amount of stars that are close to falling victim to missing the mark, or who already have. "}},{"id":"zTH5Isbshe","type":"image","data":{"caption":"Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) is fouled by New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/4fd363ad-be38-4d0a-b45c-cdf849b29e47.jpeg","width":4755,"height":3169}}},{"id":"kbuJMVfh4Y","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"LeBron James, Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all fallen short of the threshold already while players like Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama are at risk as well, which puts both of their eligibilities for the MVP award in peril. "}},{"id":"MYASHLhDuG","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The wider issue at the heart of this problem are the frequency of injuries that befall players across the league, superstars and role players alike."}},{"id":"RjK9JYwbVX","type":"image","data":{"caption":"New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Jamir Watkins (5) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9828e46b-66fd-4acd-8a77-6e459ae49729.jpeg","width":4555,"height":3037}}},{"id":"KqctR2bxe4","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"That's an issue that teams have been desperately trying to fix, but a solution on that front still feels far off. Changing the 65-game rule is something that can happen quickly, though, as those in support of the change would argue. "}},{"id":"Rm5ON0au18","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"At this point, neither the NBA nor the NBAPA have indicated their thoughts on the change, but Towns at least has made his philosophy known."}}],"version":"2.31.0"}

Jack Haslett

jackhaslett@RoundtableIO

Contributing Writer

Mike Brown Isn't Worried Yet After Game Three Loss to Atlanta Hawks

Mike Brown Blasts Knicks' Execution in Collapse To Hawks

Mike Brown Says Playoffs in Madison Square Garden Feel "Different"

Jalen Brunson Stresses Positive Thinking For Playoffs

Josh Hart Is Ready for Knicks' Fans Playoff Energy

Karl-Anthony Towns Trusts His Work Against Hawks

Karl-Anthony Towns Looks Ahead to Facing the Hawks

Mike Brown Reveals the Knicks' Biggest Flaw After Loss to Charlotte Hornets

Miles McBride Shares How the Knicks Need to Prepare for Hawks in Playoffs

Mike Brown Speaks on Knicks' New Defensive Presence

Mike Brown Discusses Jose Alvarado's Impact

Tracy McGrady Speaks on Mentoring Knicks Star Karl-Anthony Towns

Mike Brown Praises Knicks For Hot Start in Blowout of Chicago Bulls

Mike Brown Explains Key to Knicks' Win Over Memphis Grizzlies

Josh Hart Gets Brutally Honest on Knicks' Direction After Third-Straight Loss

Karl-Anthony Towns Responds to NBA’s 65-Game Rule

Mike Brown Is Frustrated With the New York Knicks After Latest Loss

Mike Brown Won't Let Knicks Get Comfortable Despite Easy Schedule Ahead

Mike Brown Addresses Jalen Brunson Foul-Baiting Narratives

Mitchell Robinson Explodes for Career-High Rebounds in Win