Karl Anthony-Towns grabs the rebound against D'Angelo Russell. (Photo : Getty Images/Harry How)
The NBA Rookies from the 2015 Draft are starting to stamp their class. While Karl-Anthony Towns is the first overall pick, not too many voted for him as the favorite for Rookie of the Year.
The observation is that Towns had the most upside and nobody questioned the Minnesota Timerwolves' choice to make him the top pick, but his college rival Jahlil Okafor, who ended up as the third overall pick, was more NBA ready. Add the fact that Okafor is with the Philadelphia 76ers who will give him all the playing time, the odds were stacked against Towns.
Okafor was chosen as the favorite for the Rookie of the Year award in SI.com's awards preview and it echoed the general sentiment of most pundits.
However, the young player from the Dominican Republic was ready to prove critics wrong. The first Rookie Rankings from Today's Fastbreak showed that this early, Towns is ready to stamp his class.
"Towns has been a world-eater up front for the Timberwolves justifying every gripe Wolves fans could've had after taking him first overall in the draft," TF stated. "Towns looks physically ready down low, competing (and dominating) against NBA starters while nearly averaging a double-double and two-plus blocks per game. Many were uncertain about Towns's ability to have an instant impact on the Wolves, citing his lack of playing time while playing for Kentucky and possibly lacking the strength to compete down low."
Those concerns are now things of the past as Towns averages of 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and an intimidating 2.8 blocks per game show that he is a well-rounded big man who can contribute on both ends of the floor. He has less points than Jahlil Okafor (20.8) but more rebounds. As expected, Okafor plays more (34 minutes/game vs. Towns at 28) but Towns can contribute for his time on the court.
The battle between the two big men will be very interesting for the Rookie of the Year award and beyond. Other rookies in the top 5 are Kristaps Porzingis of the Knicks, Emmanuel Mudiay of the Nuggets and Wille Cauley-Stein of the Kings.
