Karl-Anthony Towns begins his second year with the New York Knicks amid high expectations to elevate the team‘s performance. As the Knicks prepare for a championship-contending season under coach Mike Brown, Towns faces growing pressure to refine his game and lead the team on both ends of the court.
In his rookie season with New York, Towns made an immediate impact by averaging 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game across 72 contests, boasting efficient shooting percentages of 52.6% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. Despite these strong offensive numbers, critiques emerged regarding his physical conditioning and defensive consistency, areas that opponents and analysts alike expect him to improve upon.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins recently highlighted Towns as a key figure under pressure to produce championship-level results. Speaking on ESPN’s NBA Today, Perkins stressed the urgency for Towns to elevate his defensive play and conditioning, comparing his challenges defensively to those faced by other prominent stars.
When you talk about players, which players are under the most pressure to deliver, that’s Karl-Anthony Towns,
Perkins said.
Like it’s time for him to deliver. It’s been a lot of criticism when it comes down to Luka Doncic and what he did defensively, and being in shape. Well, KAT falls in that category.
—Kendrick Perkins, former NBA champion
Perkins elaborated on Towns’ undeniable offensive talents, emphasizing that his greatest area to address is his defensive mobility and stamina.
KAT is a walking bucket. He’s one of one. Arguably the best shooting big we’ve ever seen. He’s really, really skilled, but that’s not what he needs to correct. He needs to correct his ability to get up and down the floor, be able to slide those puppies, because he was getting cooked in the big role.
—Kendrick Perkins, former NBA champion
Effectiveness Increases When Paired With a Strong Defender
Injuries to Mitchell Robinson limited the Knicks’ ability to experiment fully with a double-big frontcourt featuring Towns alongside Robinson. Nonetheless, glimpses of this combination demonstrated promising results, particularly when Towns took on the power forward role. Data from Cleaning The Glass shows that across the past four seasons, Towns spent 140 early-game possessions away from garbage time with a double-big lineup, helping his team outscore opponents by 19 points per 100 possessions during those stretches.
This limited sample suggests that pairing Towns with a rim protector like Robinson allows him to concentrate on his offensive strengths while relying on a defensively capable teammate to cover the defensive responsibilities that have challenged him. Such a pairing could be vital to the Knicks’ strategies this season, and Mike Brown may seek to develop a double-big rotation early in the year to optimize this dynamic.
Knicks Strengthen Their Coaching Team with Offensive Specialist
The Knicks have bolstered their coaching staff with the addition of T.J. Saint, a move reported by SNY’s Ian Begley. Saint, who led the Pelicans’ G League team to the top offensive rating in the 2023-24 season, is expected to contribute significantly to New York’s offensive schemes.
Saint, head coach of the Pelicans G League team, will aid [the Knicks] on the offensive end,
Begley explained.
He’s viewed in NBA circles as a bright offensive mind; Squadron had the G League’s top offense in the 2023-24 regular season. In addition to coaching with the Pelicans, Saint has coached at the University of Georgia, with the Detroit Pistons, at Butler University and Belmont University.
—Ian Begley, SNY reporter
Saint’s expertise could help Towns refine his offensive game further, especially after establishing chemistry with team leader Jalen Brunson in the previous season. With coaching adjustments and tactical rotations possibly including a double-big frontcourt, Towns could experience a breakout year that amplifies the Knicks’ championship aspirations.
As the NBA season approaches, Karl-Anthony Towns faces a critical juncture where improving his defensive presence and conditioning will be essential to fulfilling the team’s ambitions. His performance will likely set the tone for the Knicks’ quest to reach the NBA Finals, with fans and analysts alike watching closely to see if he can meet the expectations outlined by Perkins and other experts.