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Kristaps Porzingis: Karl-Anthony Towns Praises PorzinGOD

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Minnesota Timberwolves star and reigning Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns was recently asked about New York Knicks phenom Kristaps Porzingis.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis are the future of the NBA. They may or may not become the best and second-best players in the world, but their upside isn’t too far shy of earning that distinction.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that one of the first questions Towns fielded during a recent Twitter Q&A was about Porzingis.

Towns was unanimously voted as the 2015-16 NBA Rookie of the Year. Porzingis joined him as a unanimous selection to the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie First Team, however, and the two had an unforgettable duel on December 16, 2015.

When asked for his thoughts on Porzingis, Towns said what we’re all thinking in New York.

It’s all in jest, but we could be seeing these two rising stars battling at the top of the NBA hierarchy in future years.

Towns finished the 2015-16 season with averages of 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 32.0 minutes. He shot 54.2 percent from the field and made 30 3-point field goals—impressive marks for a veteran, let alone a rookie.

Porzingis wasn’t too far behind with averages of 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.1 3-point field goals made in 28.4 minutes per game.

Towns certainly deserved Rookie of the Year, but Porzingis was historically productive. He became the first rookie in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals made.

Only two other non-rookies recorded those numbers in 2015-16: All-Star big man Al Horford and All-NBA power forward Draymond Green.

When the two met in December, both flashed their unparalleled upside. Towns finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes, and while Porzingis struggled with his shot, he still had a remarkable seven blocks in 29 minutes.

Towns is further along in his development, but both players have MVP upside.

Here’s hoping we see Porzingis and Towns duel in an NBA Finals or two somewhere down the line.

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