When the New York Knicks fell behind the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs, disenchanted fans were ready to demand change.
“Fire Mike Brown!” “Trade for Giannis!”
Their remarks stemmed from the disappointment of watching a team with championship aspirations struggle to conquer an overachieving sixth seed in the first round of the playoffs.
Now, the Knicks find themselves eight wins away from an NBA title, waiting to see who they will face in the Conference Finals.
So how did a team that looked like it was backsliding just two weeks ago turn it around so quickly?
The answer lies in the Knicks’ X-Factor: Karl Anthony Towns.
Strong Play in the Playoffs
Ever since KAT joined the Knicks, questions flowed about whether or not he was the right co-star next to Jalen Brunson.
How would his defense hold up in the playoffs? What if he couldn’t stay out of foul trouble?
This postseason, Towns has shown his effectiveness on both sides of the ball, even if foul trouble remains an issue.
Despite attempting the fewest number of shots in the playoffs in his career, he has the highest plus-minus of his postseason career. Additionally, he ranks first in several key postseason categories: win shares, player efficiency rating, plus-minus (offensive and defensive).
Not only has he excelled at distributing for his teammates, but he has also become a double-double machine. He is averaging 17.4 points and 10.0 rebounds in his 13 playoff games so far this playoffs.
But the biggest reason for his success and the Knicks’ is the new way in which his coach, Mike Brown, has utilized him.
Towns in a Different Role
Before Game 4 in Atlanta, coach Brown made one pivotal move that has paid dividends: running the offense through Towns.
As a distributor, he is averaging a career postseason high of 6.6 assists per game, including 7.5 in the 76ers series. His career-high steal and assist numbers are made more impressive by the fact that he has played the fewest minutes of his postseason career.
Brown leaned heavily into Towns as an offensive hub, emphasizing moving without the ball and using him as a playmaker.
In the clip below, Towns stands at the top of the key with the ball, surveying the floor. Jalen Brunson curls around him as his defender, Kelly Oubre Jr., follows him. Brunson fakes a dribble handoff with Towns, slipping to the basket. Brunson’s curl forces Tyrese Maxey to help off Deuce McBride, and McBride subsequently gets off an open three.
Towns being a threat from beyond the arc adds to the gravity that he can create on the court. While he is more than capable of knocking down threes as a career 39.7% shooter, his game has become less reliant on living and dying by the three.
He is taking the lowest number of three-pointers in any of his playoff runs. Still, his percentage has increased, as have his assists, blocks, and steals.
“I just love that I get to get my teammates involved, and I get the chance to quarterback the offense and put them in positions that I feel they could succeed, and they’ve obliged,” he said. “Like I said before, they’re trusting me more with the ball right now, and I just want to continue to repay their trust with the right plays and making the right decisions.”
Unselfish Play
Towns’ adjustment has set the precedent for other teammates, like Brunson and Jordan Clarkson. Brunson has relinquished the ball more than he’s accustomed to. Clarkson played the lowest minutes of his career this season, but has taken on the task of hustling, providing solid defense, and rebounding. Clarkson has averaged just 6.5 points this postseason, but transformed his game into an offensive rebounding machine and energy booster.
Even as a facilitator, Towns hasn’t abandoned his offensive game; he is just reacting better to what defenses give him. It’s only fitting that he has thrived as an assist-man, given that his basketball idol was Magic Johnson. KAT wears the number 32 in honor of the Hall of Fame point guard whose game he admired.
“He (Magic) made his teammates better and had a lot of flair with it. For me to be able to see someone like that who made his teammates better, who also scored and was able to impact the game in all statistical categories – it was really cool for me to see someone like that,” he explained of Magic’s influence.
At his 7-foot frame, his playmaking as a big man is even more of a rare skillset.
What is more important than Towns’ individual stats is how they have affected his team’s winning. The Knicks have won seven straight games and boast the largest point differential in a 10-game postseason span.
Moreover, the team is second in offensive and defensive rating and number one in overall net rating.
More Work To Do
For the New York Knicks to reach the pinnacle of the NBA, Towns will need to be at his best. And if there’s one thing he has shown thus far, it is that he doesn’t need to be a scoring juggernaut to be effective.
None of the Knicks’ players are celebrating their stellar play, however, insisting that they haven’t reached their ultimate goal yet. Their defeat in the Conference Finals last season still sticks with them as a reminder of the work remaining.
The Knicks are halfway to an NBA title, and they will surely need Karl-Anthony Towns every step of the way.
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