Karl-Anthony Towns ‘Doesn’t Know How to Play’

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After the Knicks’ third loss of the year to the Pistons, Karl-Anthony Towns has come under fire, specifically as it relates to his contract.

NBA legend and TV personality Charles Barkley didn’t leave much to interpretation when discussing New York Knicks star big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

Despite his impressive skills, Towns has struggled with consistency, particularly in adapting his playstyle to the situation at hand. His tendency to settle for perimeter shots against smaller defenders, rather than exploiting his size in the post, continues to frustrate critics like Barkley.

These inconsistencies have left many wondering if Towns can truly rise to the occasion when it matters most for the Knicks.

“The thing that frustrates me about him,” Barkley said, “is that to me, he doesn’t know how to play basketball. What I mean by that is, he’s a terrific seven-foot shooter. The same criticism I had with Joel Embiid. The matchup dictates whether you shoot 3s or go post up. That’s what I mean by not knowing how to play basketball.”

Barkley wasn’t the only one on the panel to question Towns’ play. Shaquille O’Neal also had harsh words for the All-Star, calling his play “soft.”

“I would say this to his face if I were his teammate: he’s playing soft,” O’Neal said. “Playing really soft. You’re going to have to decide who you want to be. Inside or outside, but whatever you decide, you have to be consistent. You can’t say, ‘I’m the greatest big man shooter,’ and play like he’s been playing. When he plays like that, me and Chuck don’t have a problem.”

He added: “But he gets in foul trouble too much. He plays really silly. Again, if I were on his team, I would look him in the face and say, ‘KAT, we need you. There are big aspirations for the Knicks, and you’re playing soft.’”

Take a listen:

A Look at Karl-Anthony Towns Career

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Towns, who was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, spent the first nine years of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who drafted him. He’s been a member of the Knicks for the last two seasons.

During his time with the Timberwolves, the former University of Kentucky star established himself as one of the most talented and versatile big men in the league. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting, combined with his rebounding prowess, made him a unique asset in the modern NBA.

Towns earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2016. He’s been selected to six All-Star teams and played a key role in helping the Timberwolves reach the Western Conference Finals during the 2024 season. It was Minnesota’s first appearance in two decades.

Since joining the New York Knicks, Towns’ tenure has been a bit up and down. Towns helped guide the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season in New York but has struggled to find consistency in his role alongside star guard Jalen Brunson.

His performance this season has drawn mixed reviews, with critics like Barkley and O’Neal noting his occasional passive play and reluctance to dominate mismatches. Towns is currently averaging 19.8 points per game this season, which would be his first season under 20 since he was a rookie.

Alex Shoemaker Alex Shoemaker is a seasoned sports journalist and digital content strategist with more than a decade of experience in newsrooms and digital media. He has covered a wide range of sports, including March Madness, the Olympic Trials, and local high school athletics. He began his journalism career covering high school and community sports, developing a reputation for sharp storytelling and precise design that earned awards for both writing and pagination. More about Alex Shoemaker