Karl-Anthony Towns, now in his first season with the New York Knicks, has shown his scoring prowess but is also struggling significantly on the defensive end, especially as a rim protector. His inability to effectively guard the basket has emerged as one of the team’s biggest challenges early in the season.
With the Knicks holding a 4-5 record, Towns’ defensive struggles have left them vulnerable inside, despite his offensive contributions, as his opponents shoot an astounding 91.4% in the restricted area when he’s the primary defender.
“Karl-Anthony Towns this season as a contesting defender on shots in the restricted area. Karl-Anthony Towns is allowing 91.4% shooting. I want to repeat that. 91.4% shooting. Players are shooting 32 for 35 against Karl-Towns.”
“Obviously the worst defensive percentage of any player who’s guarded at least 30 shots at the rim.”
Karl-Anthony Towns is allowing opponents to shoot 32/35 (91.4%) in the restricted area 😳, per @TimBontemps
(h/t @TheKnicksRecap )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 11, 2024
This statistic, highlighted by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, is historically bad, making Towns the NBA’s least effective rim protector among players who have defended at least 30 shots at the rim.
Specifically, Towns’ opponents have converted 32 out of 35 attempts in the restricted area, an alarming 91.4% shooting rate, the highest allowed by any player in the league this season. Analysts, including Brian Windhorst, have called this a “devastating stat,” especially for a team like the Knicks, who have prided themselves on a gritty, defensive identity under head coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks, a team that has long sought an upgrade at the center position, invested heavily in acquiring Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves in hopes of adding an elite offensive talent who could also play a crucial defensive role, especially with Mitchell Robinson sidelined due to injury. Unfortunately, Towns’ defensive liabilities have been glaring, contributing to the Knicks’ 21st-ranked defense, which allows 115.5 points per 100 possessions.
Historically, Towns has never been known for his rim protection. In Minnesota, his defensive shortcomings were so pronounced that the Timberwolves traded five first-round picks to bring in Rudy Gobert to anchor their defense. Gobert’s presence allowed Minnesota to move Towns to power forward, where his defensive limitations were less exposed.
With Gobert as their primary rim protector, the Timberwolves saw a notable defensive improvement, finishing 10th in defensive rating in 2022-23 and first in 2023-24. This trade-off, however, left the Knicks to manage Towns as their primary center and rim protector, a role that continues to expose his weaknesses.
Towns is currently averaging just 0.9 blocks per game, a slight improvement from his previous seasons’ career lows of 0.7 and 0.6 blocks per game. Yet, his impact on the defensive end remains minimal, as evidenced by the league-high shooting percentages opponents record against him.
Fans and analysts alike are urging Thibodeau to pair Towns with another big man, like Jericho Sims, to provide additional defensive cover. However, the Knicks’ rotation options are limited with Robinson’s absence, forcing Towns to continue at the center position.
Despite his defensive struggles, Towns has been a force on offense, averaging 24.9 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while shooting 53.3% from the field and a career-high 53.7% from beyond the arc. His offensive efficiency has been a bright spot, but the Knicks’ defensive shortcomings, particularly at the rim, have overshadowed his contributions on the other end of the floor.
Moving forward, the Knicks will need to reassess how best to utilize Towns defensively or consider bolstering their interior defense through potential trades or lineup adjustments. For a team with playoff aspirations, Towns’ defensive issues could become a significant obstacle unless addressed. As it stands, his performance has sparked doubt among fans and analysts regarding his role as a reliable defensive anchor for New York, especially in the absence of a solid rim-protecting partner.
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