Former Kentucky star Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to be the top overall pick in the NBA Draft next month. The New York Knicks, who finished with the second-worst record in the NBA, have a 19.9 percent chance of earning the top pick. Is Towns rooting for that to happen?
While the 19-year-old said he will be happy with any NBA team that gives him an opportunity, he was not shy about discussing how he grew up a Knicks fan in a recent interview with Marc Berman of the NY Post.
“Yeah, in this area growing up, you don’t have the money to have the NBA League Pass, so you got the local teams,” Towns said, noting that he still has a Knicks cap in his bedroom. “I always got a chance to watch the MSG channel and watch the Knicks play. I grew up to have a lot of respect for the Knicks.”
Towns was also quick to praise Knicks president Phil Jackson.
“It’s his presence,” he told Berman. “What he means to me, his presence is just amazing. What was so awesome as a coach, he made every player better and put them in the best position to succeed. He’s just so smart and intelligent and has so much experience. He knows how to win. At the end of the day, what every player wants to do is win. If I have the opportunity to ever play for the Knicks, that’s what I would love to do.”
Jackson has a great reputation for developing low-post players, so you can understand why Towns would want to be part of a program that the 13-time NBA champion is in charge of.
We already know the Knicks are looking to bolster their front court this offseason, and drafting an exciting young talent like Towns would certainly help. If Jackson can add some key pieces and get his biggest superstar to remain optimistic, the Knicks might avoid embarrassing themselves again next season.
