National Basketball Association

What's wrong with Wolves' top pick Karl Anthony Towns?

Published Jul. 19, 2015 8:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Carlos Campos.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have some worries to address.

Immediately apparent is the clear distinction and elevated skill level between the two competitive leagues. The NCAA and the NBA are in completely different realms, the latter of which perhaps in an entirely alternate dimension in terms of how talented players are. Even the worst of the worst were the best of the best somewhere at some point, and that’s a hard fact many new rookies have difficulty fully absorbing when they step onto the world’s largest stage for basketball. The intensity, the competitiveness, the ruthlessness and plain skill is so much more beyond anything they have ever experienced before they collapse, and ultimately dissipate into their former selves. Under the immense weight and pressure of their new positions and responsibilities they fall – relegated to positions they wouldn’t have touched in the past.

That’s the question with Karl Anthony Towns. Fans and critics were all shaken up by his debut and arrival to the team, and like I’ve covered in previous articles, it seemed like he’d make an immediate impact. But now skepticism has crawled it’s way back into the forefront of T’wolves talk. Will Karl Anthony Towns be able to deliver under all this pressure? The kind that so many former collegiate superstars have succumbed to in the past decades. Doubtful that he will ever become an Adam Morrison type (who interestingly enough has a ring to boast) but fans are praying that he doesn’t bust.

That’s where summer league performance comes in real handy. It’s not exactly perfect in being indicative regarding a player’s seasonal performance, but it’s pretty good at determining where they stand among their own teammates and other players in general. So, how is Anthony Towns doing?

Karl Anthony Towns

It’s not exactly impressive, but skeptics beware, his entry into the coming season should not be based on his execution in these last few days. In particular he has had trouble with physical play. Unaccustomed to the intense physicality of the professional level Anthony Towns has been pushed around… a lot. But, no worries, there’s still a lot of room for growth… specifically in his gluteus maximus. Ahem, yes you heard me right. That’s been a very big issue of his since his gathers his strength primarily from his upper body. But in due time, once everything evens out he should be better than ever.

Let’s just say this hilarious realization will soon be addressed and growing concerns for his performance will, hopefully, slowly but surely dissipate.

More from isportsweb.com: