NBA: Predicting The 2016 All-Rookie Team
By Julius Lasin
Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts to a foul call during an NBA Summer League game against the Chicago Bulls at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Power Forward: Karl-Anthony Towns
With the Timberwolves saying that Kevin Garnett would be starting this season, things got a little murkier for Towns’ Rookie of the Year hopes.
But, even with Garnett and incumbent center Nikola Pekovic taking minutes away from him, Towns should still be able to flex his proverbial muscles enough to gain All-Rookie Team traction. Simply put, Towns is way too gifted physically, and has far too versatile of a skillset not to succeed.
However, Towns should see his minutes increase over the course of the season due to his ability to block shots and protect the paint—two things he should do better than Garnett and Pekovic soon, as he averaged 4.3 blocks per 40 minutes at Kentucky last season. Between his defense and burgeoning offensive game, Towns should stand out among other rookie forwards next season.
Next: Center