Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns doesn’t expect to have any issues shifting from center to power forward when he plays alongside new teammate Rudy Gobert in 2022/23. As Towns tells Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports, playing at the four is something he has gotten accustomed to doing over the course of his career.
“The last time I had something like this, obviously I had Gorgui Dieng, I played (power forward) a lot of years in the NBA. Fans forgot that. It’s OK,” he said. “And go back to me in college. This is how I played in college. Willie Cauley-Stein is like 7’2″. I don’t know what they’re missing in that.”
While Towns is far from the league’s most effective perimeter defender, he said he’s looking forward to the challenge of taking on those assignments. The All-NBA big man added that he expects talent to win out as he and Gobert attempt to develop chemistry.
“I think that Rudy’s one of the best defensive players we’ve ever had in the NBA. He has the hardware to prove it,” Towns told Henninger. “I think I’m one of the best offensive players and talents the NBA has ever seen. So putting us together gives us really a whole spectrum of talent to use.”
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Having appeared in just 54 games as a rookie, Thunder guard Josh Giddey has spent a lot of time in the gym and the weight room this summer preparing his body to withstand the rigors of an 82-game schedule, he told Matthew Sullivan of News.com.au. “It’s a long season so taking care of your body is a really important part of being an NBA player,” Giddey said, adding that he feels “ready to go” after missing the end of last season due to a hip issue.
- New Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt spoke to Spencer Davies of BasketballNews.com about his fresh start in Utah, his impressions of new teammate Collin Sexton, and playing alongside Malik Beasley on a third team, among other topics. Vanderbilt said he’s looking forward to getting the chance to “expand and grow” his game with the Jazz.
- In a mailbag for The Denver Post (subscription required), Mike Singer considers whether the Nuggets could realistically claim the No. 1 seed in the West, examines what the second unit might look like, and explains why the team re-signed Vlatko Cancar rather than pursuing a free agent like Juancho Hernangomez.
If my boy Willie Cauley-Stein was 7’2 he’d still be in the league I’ll say that…. Giddey, Tre Mann & Shai are gonna be extremely fun to watch next season fr. Gonna be interesting to see which of the Thunders young, long (they’re all extremely long) wings is gonna be able to keep up with those guards & mesh with them the best
@Sankara I think Karl would know, as he was literally his team mate. I’ve also seen Willie play live and can confirm he’s 7’2 (i’ve seen him next to Kristaps, he’s the same height) And plenty of players that are tall are out of the league, including one of my favorite players Tacko Fall. I agree Shai is one of my favorite players in the league and one of my favorites to watch.
Linked stats say 7’0”
Sucks that Holmgren got injured and wont play this season.
Big facts. At least we get Zion back tho
Juancho played hard every game. Wouldn’t have minded the nugs bringing him back
I think Vlatko can bring everything Juancho did/could and more, he’s such a savvy and calm presence on the court – not attributes I’d ascribe to Juancho necessarily.
If the Nuggets add anyone I’d hope it’d be a dynamic 4/5 to spell Nikola or lead a small ball second unit with Bones pushing the pace. DJ will be serviceable for a few minutes a game but I can’t see it being especially effective – hoping Malone displays more of a willingness to be creative with lineups depending on the opposition. To forge a second unit identity, rather than the ‘hold your breath’ strategy of just surviving Nikola’s bench minutes.
Second unit projects to be Bones, Smith, Brown, Green/Nnaji and Jordan… A lot depends on Zeke and Bones making a big step as I don’t like the idea of Ish, Jeff and Deandre getting significant minutes. I’d prefer Bones, Braun (defense alone is worth investing in) Brown, Vlatko, Zeke/free agent big… Is there anyone decent available? Aldridge, Griffin, Millsap, Whiteside, Howard? Not sure if those guys have anything left.
To be fair I haven’t see vlatko play much but I agree with everything else you said
Have to wonder what they smoking in Minny.
All I’ve heard all off-season is crap.
Towns one of the best offensive talents the league has ever seen. The greatest shooting big man of all time. Gobert one of the greatest defenders of all time. Ant and KAT the next Kobe and Shaq. Ant one of the best offensive players in the league.
These guys are hyping themselves up cause no one else is. Watch them just scrape into the playoffs and get bounced in the first round.
yeah….3 all stars plus a borderline all star who are all either in their primes or about to enter them…terrible team. i’d say not even playoffs. they’re in rebuild mode♂️
2 all stars and a borderline all star…
Big difference between that and being the best offensive player and best defensive player ever
Ant and KAT as the next Kobe and Shaq yet last season didn’t make the playoffs…
they were the 6th seed and didn’t have another all star. kat and rudy are lock in. in my opinion ant is gonna be a lock in next year too. if d’angelo plays well he’s always been a border line and can put up 18 ppg if he needs to. that’s a championship team. no one is saying they’re the very best of the best but kat is still the greatest 3 point shooting big of all time (not dirk for 3 point but dirk is still the greatest shooting big) and rudy is still one of the best defenders the league has ever seen. they’re contenders
I like MIN’s complementary players they’ve picked up recently. Always thought Rivers would look good with the T’Wolves.
D-Lo, KAT, and Rudy (that’s 3) have all been named All-Stars. Ant is going to be an All-Star. If you don’t count Russell, then you’re wrong. He is a very effective player. If you don’t think Ant is a lock to become an All-Star, then you haven’t been paying attention.