The New York Knicks have the potential to go deep in the playoffs, but they are going to need the best version of Karl-Anthony Towns.
Despite coming off a loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the New York Knicks are still in decent standing in the Eastern Conference as they occupy the third seed with a 48-26 record.
The Knicks are winners of seven of their last eight games, and a significant contributor to their success all season has been Karl-Anthony Towns. However, Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady believes Towns can become un-guardable, he just has to want it.
Calling out KAT
Recently, McGrady divulged the topic with Adam Schein of New York Post Sports.
“He just got to have the want to,” McGrady said. “He's got to want that. I'm sure the coaches and his teammates are talking to him about that.
“He's got to want that. He's got to want that for himself and he's got to want that for his team. And if he takes that approach, that mentality, nobody can guard KAT.”
Through 69 games this season, Towns is averaging 20.1 points per game on 49.5% shooting from the field and 36.8% shooting from 3-point range. He is also averaging 11.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
“This guy is so talented, man,” McGrady added. “I mean, the things that he could do on the basketball court, someone at that size, when he puts his mind to it, can't be guarded because he has so much that he could give you.
The Tools are There
“Whether it's inside, outside, his passing ability, setting screens, popping back for threes, the driving ability, finishing at the rim. He could do a lot of things, but it's up to KAT to put his stamp on these games.”
Towns’ scoring average and shooting percentages are down from where they were last season when he was averaging 24.4 points per game on 52.6% shooting from the field and 42% shooting from the perimeter. He is averaging nearly one fewer rebound per game as well, though his free throw percentage has increased from 82.9%-85.6%.
In the 114-103 loss to Charlotte on Thursday, Towns only scored 13 points, but his low point total was not due to a poor shooting night, it was because he did not shoot enough. Additionally, Towns was losing the battle on the boards, which compelled head coach Mike Brown to put Mitchell Robinson in the game down the stretch.
Need to be Better
After he was benched in favor of Robinson, Towns told reporters that he just wants to be the best version of himself for his team, but he clearly did not achieve that on Thursday. To be the best version of himself for his teammates, Towns needs to be aggressive and full of effort from the opening tip.
Towns finished the game with only eight shot attempts, five of which he hit. He also notched just three rebounds, well below his season average. It is this type of performance by the big man that makes McGrady’s comments ring true.
Towns has been available this season, but he has not been as effective as the year before or as effective as his potential allows him to be. Nevertheless, he will have to ramp up his play if the Knicks want to make a deep postseason run.