Karl-Anthony Towns is playing center for the Knicks this season after being a power forward with the Timberwolves.
Team Strategy and Injuries:
Towns is starting at center mainly because Mitchell Robinson got hurt, and Coach Tom Thibodeau wants Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges on the wings with OG Anunoby. Now that Robinson is almost ready to play again, Thibodeau has a decision: keep Towns at center or move him back to power forward. During an interview on TNT, Vince Carter asked Towns if he liked being the center.
“In Minnesota, I had a different role,” Towns said. “Here in New York, my job is different. I want to be the best for this team. If Mitchell plays center and I’m at power forward, I want to shine in that role…I’ve always tried to make my teammates better.”
Role Flexibility:
Towns said he’s ready for whatever helps the team most. “If Mitchell’s at 5 & I’m at 4, I want to be great there,” he shared about his potential position change as Precious Achiuwa returns too.
"Whatever the team needsโฆIf Mitchell's at the 5 & I'm at the 4 I wanna be a superstar in that role. If I'm at the 5 & Precious is 4 I wanna be a superstar in that role"
โโย KAT on playing 4 v 5 as Precious Achiuwa returns, Mitchell Robinson gets closer
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork)
Fans love how flexible players are willing to be for their team’s success.
Pros and Cons of Lineup Changes:
Putting Robinson back in could boost New York’s defense since they rank 18th in that area right now. But it might mess up their top-ranked offense because Robinson doesn’t shoot much, while Towns’ shooting really helps spread out the floor.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Thibodeau supports Robinson strongly but thinks Towns can do well as a power forward too. For most of his time under Thibs, Robinson was usually starting unless he was injured or recovering from one.
Towns is having an amazing season with 25.1 points and 13.3 rebounds per game while hitting a career-best 44.7% from three-point range!
