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Ryen Russillo has joined The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor on his latest podcast to discuss all things NBA. At one point, they played a “choose one” game among NBA stars to create an informal hierarchy.<\/p>\n
Russillo explains:<\/p>\n
First, they talked about Lamelo Ball. Then it moved on to a player familiar to all Minnesota Timberwolves fans.<\/p>\n
“Karl-Anthony Towns is the player,” Lucilo declared. “Here’s your choice. Julius Randle.”<\/p>\n
“I mean, I was a KAT guy, so this is hard for me,” O’Connor said with a laugh. Like the year he won the All-NBA, this version of him and Jalen Brunson, their pick-and-roll chemistry.<\/p>\n
“But based on the historical aspect, I still need to give KAT a little edge. I don’t want to go with KAT, but I reluctantly go with Karl-Anthony Towns.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, I still think Townes is the right answer here,” agreed Lucilo. Are you really going to choose Julius Randle over Karl-Anthony Towns? \u201d<\/p>\n
“Maybe so,” retorted O’Connor.<\/p>\n
\u201cTowns are not numbers,\u201d Russillo explains. “I’m really worried about how he’ll fit into the team in the long run, especially when he’s a key part of the team. I don’t know.”<\/p>\n
“Personally?” O’Connor asked.<\/p>\n
“Yes, yes,” Lucilo clarified.<\/p>\n
“It’s a little moppy, isn’t it?” O’Connor pushed.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know,” Lucilo objected. \u201cDuring the course of the game, it feels like Towns has a lot going on.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. And I know he’s been through a lot too. But it happened some time ago.<\/p>\n
“But yeah, I think there’s some kind of mental DNA you have to have with some of these things.<\/p>\n
“Okay, we both say Townes, but still. Okay, Towns or Jarrett Allen?”<\/p>\n
“Hmm, in some ways I think it’s the type of team you’re building here,” O’Connor said. “Jarrett Allen is an easy player to plug in. An elite defender and an aspiring screener. Always runs the floor even when he’s not touching it. A great finisher around the basket. A good connector as a passer. Yes, and can post up a bit if you need to contain your opponent against smaller defenders.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive KAT to Jarrett Allen to help build for the next 5-10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
“Yeah, I agree there,” Lucilo agreed.<\/p>\n
“Offensively, nothing can match Towns’ talent, but with some of the Towns we’ve already covered here, I doubt he’s ever traded out of Minnesota.” How bad are they going to reset this on the fly, get D’Angelo Russell out of there.”<\/p>\n
“It should be,” agreed O’Connor.<\/p>\n
“It will be very interesting to see what the new fanbase thinks they’ll get if they move away from Towns,” speculated Russillo. “It’s like, they’re going oh my gosh! This guy I can’t believe it, he’s a center who can shoot.<\/p>\n
“He’s one of the greatest shooting centers. Didn’t he call himself one of the greatest shooting centers ever?”<\/p>\n
“I think he said he was the greatest shooting center ever,” O’Connor said.<\/p>\n
“There are some numbers that show he’s not wrong,” Lucilo said. “But-“<\/p>\n
“Statistically,” O’Connor said.<\/p>\n
“When you say Jarrett Allen Over Towns, do you mean Rudy Gobert Over Towns?”<\/p>\n
“No,” Lucilo said, pausing.<\/p>\n
“Why not?” asked O’Connor.<\/p>\n
“Hmm, I think it’s kind of bad that he’s on the second team and they don’t want to pass him,” Lucilo joked.<\/p>\n
“It should teach us something.”<\/p>\n
“And he lacks one thing that Jarrett Allen has,” added O’Connor. “It’s the ability to dribble the ball.”<\/p>\n
“Look, he doesn’t need to be alarmed,” Lucilo said. “And I know the defensive numbers have been up a bit lately, but the defensive numbers that were already down towards the end of Utah were a little scary. Compared to the impact he had on , that’s not what you signed up for.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t think even the worst version of Gobert would get this. So I think it’s a problem.”<\/p>\n
Words of encouragement to the Wolves from Russillo and O’Connor. But they’re probably right about Towns. . KAT is the more talented offensive his player, but Allen plays better defense and is part of a winning team.<\/p>\n
What about Gobert’s part? Weft. The Wolves are starting to pick up steam after their recent losing streak, but they’re still not as fun as they were last year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n