1 indispensable Trade Knicks player blowing away expectations

 

 

The New York Knicks have played relatively well, despite facing an easier schedule of late and dealing with size and roster limitation that have hindered their ability to defend and rebound the basketball. They have won seven of their last 10 games, and they have continued their high-octane ways, scoring 115 or more points in three or their last six games. Much of the credit for their success can be squarely given to one man, Karl-Anthony Towns.

 

Towns has been exceptionally good in his first year with the Knicks. He’s averaging 24.8 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, and he’s scored 30 or more points on seven different occasions. Specifically, over his last five games, Towns has exerted his dominance in a different way, tallying 23 points and 17.4 rebounds per game—making up a vast majority of New York’s rebounds.

While box scores are important, their impact on winning is even more important. The Knicks presently 16-10, meaning they have won 62% of their games. However, New York is 13-4 when Towns scores 20 or more points. Further, they are 15-7 when he collects 10 or more rebounds. In other words, the Knicks win 77% of their games when Towns scores 20 or more points, and 68% of their games when he grabs 10 or more rebounds.

If we look at the 16 games in which Towns scored 20 or more points and grabbed 10 or more rebounds, New York won 13 of them. That translates to an 82% success rate. So, it’s pretty clear that Knicks are better when Towns plays well.

 

While Towns’ success has been noteworthy on its own, it’s also quietly allowed Jalen Brunson to figure out how to impact winning alongside another scorer. Brunson struggled to start the season. After averaging a career-high 28.7 pointer per game on 48% shooting from the field last season, he averaged just 23 points per game 44% shooting from the field through his first four games.