Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves is another player left out from the NBA All-Star game despite showcasing impressive numbers. Unlike other NBA players, part of it was because of the T-Wolves’ performance so far.
Holding an 18-29 win-loss record, the ability of a player to help his team win is deemed important. This was something singled out by Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson who emphasized that ‘winning should come first’, the Star Tribune reported.
This year’s NBA All-Star starters and reserve selection drew heavy criticism due to a large number of snubs. Comparing the case of Towns, however, it seems that the sophomore is fine with the shunning for now as he and the rest of the young guns of Tom Thibodeau try to figure out winning.
Aside from Towns, the T-Wolves have the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and rookie Kris Dunn. This is a group that could eventually make it big in the NBA given time. Towns will still be in New Orleans for the NBA All-Star weekend for the Rising Stars challenge on Feb. 17, USA Today reported.
Towns will spearhead the U.S. Team roster who will go up against the Joel Embiid-led World Team roster. Towns will be joined by the likes of D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram (Los Angeles Lakers), Devin Booker and Marquese Chriss (Phoenix Suns), Malcolm Brogdon (Milwaukee Bucks), Frank Kaminsky (Charlotte Hornets), Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia 76ers), Jonathan Simmons (San Antonio Spurs) and Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers).
Joining Embiid will be Dante Exum and Trey Lyles (Utah Jazz), Buddy Hield (New Orleans Hornets), Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Emmanual Mudiay (Denver Nuggets), Kristaps Porzingis (New York Knicks), Domantas Sabonis (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Dario Saric (Philadelphia 76ers).
Towns’ time to be an all-star will come and he apparently knows it. He is aware that the selection is out of his grasps so he intends to just focus and play hard each time he takes the floor. Looking at his recent performances, the 21-year-old should be a shoe-in but just not now.
Karl-Anthony towns show his appreciation on being selected to play in the Rising Stars challenge via the video below.