Karl-Anthony Towns has found himself at the center of relentless scrutiny following the New York Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals exit. Despite averaging an impressive 24.8 points and 12.2 rebounds during the series against Indiana, Towns’ defensive lapses have overshadowed his offensive production.
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas added fuel to the fire in a viral rant on his Gil’s Arena podcast, where he mocked Towns not just for his game, but for his physical build in brutally personal terms.
“Its on KAT himself, t’s him. It’s his physical makeup, long legs, short torso, big-a** feet. There’s nothing he can do. He’s built like a whole fucking b***h. He’s built like a female. He’s built like a girl. He has girl hips. He’s like a full WNBA player.”
The graphic language and body-shaming tone immediately sparked reactions across social media. But Arenas’ comments reflect a deeper frustration around Towns’ perceived lack of physical presence and defensive intensity, especially when it matters most.
That sentiment isn’t limited to former players and hot take artists. According to The Athletic, several Knicks players and coaches expressed their own discontent behind closed doors. While Towns’ effort on offense was acknowledged, his approach to defense raised red flags throughout the season.
The issue, per reports, wasn’t just poor execution; it was a lack of communication and consistency in applying schemes, particularly in pick-and-roll coverages and late-game adjustments.
The Pacers ruthlessly exposed those weaknesses. With Towns on the floor, Indiana shot a staggering 47.7% from deep; that figure dropped to just 30.4% when he sat. In Game 6, Tyrese Haliburton had a stretch where he torched the Knicks for six straight points simply because Towns sagged too far off in coverage, allowing easy pull-up threes.
The Knicks’ bench, including former head coach Tom Thibodeau, adjusted by leaning more heavily on Mitchell Robinson late in games, hoping his mobility and rim protection could close defensive gaps. Robinson’s impact was evident in New York’s brief fourth-quarter rallies, but they came too late to save the series.
To Towns’ credit, his offensive performance had moments of brilliance. A 20-point fourth quarter in Game 3 helped New York avoid a sweep. He shot 50% from the field for the series and provided consistent scoring inside and out. However, playoff success often boils down to two-way impact, and that’s where the criticism begins to stick.
Arenas’ language may have crossed a line, but the underlying point that Towns’ frame and movement hinder him defensively in postseason settings resonates with coaches and front offices.
As the Knicks consider how to reshape their roster, especially if Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available, Towns’ fit will be one of the biggest questions.
His pairing with Jalen Brunson offers offensive firepower but comes at a steep defensive cost. And in a conference stacked with versatile bigs like Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, and Giannis, that liability could keep New York from reaching its ultimate goal.
Towns may be a three-time All-Star and former All-NBA player, but in New York, expectations are different. And so is the criticism: raw, unfiltered, and unforgiving.
