Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks made an unexpected revelation when asked about dunking on a historical figure, naming Jesus Christ as his choice. In an interview with Overtime released Wednesday, Towns explained his desire to dunk on the central figure of Christianity, despite his deep respect for him.
When asked which famous individual he would like to dunk on, Towns expressed enthusiasm for the idea, saying it would be an extraordinary achievement and a unique way to honor the figure.
“Dunk on any historical figure?” Towns said. “I mean, (I) love him, of course, but that would be fire to get a poster on Jesus. That would be fire. That would be so cold. That’s such a crazy flex. Dunked on the Messiah for real.”
—Karl-Anthony Towns, NBA Player
How Faith Shaped Towns’ Journey
Towns’ connection to spirituality goes beyond this playful statement. Born into a Jehovah’s Witness family in New Jersey, he developed a deeper interest in Christianity during his youth. In a 2015 interview with The New York Times, Towns described how conversations with his high school religion teacher, Tom Cunningham, influenced his understanding of Catholicism and Jesus Christ.
This exploration was sparked by reading the book Path Through Catholicism, which motivated Towns to reflect on faith and personal growth. His dialogue with Cunningham encouraged him to commit both on and off the basketball court.
“I’ve always felt the bigger picture is no matter what happens, just try to be the better human being,” Towns said. “That will get you through any adversity.”
—Karl-Anthony Towns, NBA Player
This mindset contributed to Towns’ development as a player at Kentucky and eventually led to the Minnesota Timberwolves selecting him first overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Trade Talk: Knicks Analyst Suggests Trading Towns for LeBron James
Meanwhile, in NBA circles, Nick Wright of Fox Sports recently advocated that the Knicks consider trading Towns for LeBron James as a strategy to strengthen their championship hopes. The suggestion comes amid shifts in the Eastern Conference, including injuries to key players like Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, which could open up opportunities for New York.
Wright pointed to the Knicks’ new head coach, Mike Brown, who previously reached the NBA Finals alongside James, as another reason why such a trade could work effectively.
“If you are the New York Knicks right now, in a wide-open Eastern Conference, and you just hired Mike Brown, who has been to a Finals with LeBron,” Wright said. “You’re not having a very long meeting about Karl-Anthony Towns for LeBron James, and how that works. And then calling the Lakers to see if they’re interested.”
—Nick Wright, Fox Sports Analyst
While rumors have circulated about James potentially leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent has denied any trade requests, making this a topic of ongoing speculation.
The Significance of Towns’ Remark and Knicks’ Future Moves
Towns’ expressive comment about dunking on Jesus highlights his competitive spirit and charismatic personality, which continue to captivate fans and media alike. His reflections on faith reveal a complex personal journey, contributing to both his character and athletic drive.
On the team front, the Knicks face crucial decisions that could reshape their lineup and playoff prospects. Whether Towns remains a central figure or becomes part of a blockbuster trade for LeBron James is a compelling storyline to watch as the 2024 NBA season approaches.