Karl Towns the best rookie since Shaq?

[LarBrd33]

Interesting article:  http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/minnesota-timberwolves-karl-anthony-towns-rookie-of-the-month-march-shaquille-o-neal-040516

It might be true. Towns has been incredible - especially since the training wheels came off after the all star break.  Statistically, the last great rookie was actually probably Chris Paul.   Paul put up sensational rookie numbers.  But Towns has surpassed him.  Remember that guys like Lebron and Durant, despite clearly holding unlimited potential as rookies, shot about 40% their first years in the league. 

You might have to go all the way back to the early 90s to find a guy who entered the league already a top 15 player.

[slightly biased bias fan]

Definitely true.

I recently listen to a podcast with Towns and he reminds me of Shaq/Duncan because he is extremely intelligent and seems like a high basketball I.Q guy. His body seems to be extremely resolute for a rookie and can still be developed. If I had the option of taking Towns or Davis, I would take Towns in a heartbeat.

[LarBrd33]

Definitely true.

I recently listen to a podcast with Towns and he reminds me of Shaq/Duncan because he is extremely intelligent and seems like a high basketball I.Q guy. His body seems to be extremely resolute for a rookie and can still be developed. If I had the option of taking Towns or Davis, I would take Towns in a heartbeat.

I've been saying that for most of the season. I'd take towns over Davis.   I was one of the first on the Davis bandwagon. Based on his rookie stats, I believed he was the second coming of KG.  But man, Towns is something else.  As a 19 year old rookie he's clearly better than Davis as a rookie... And thanks to the range, he might already be on the same level that Davis is on right now.

[KG Living Legend]

 I was screaming Tank for Town's way back when he was the fifth highest rated prospect coming out, that didn't last long.

[BornReady]

Definitely true.

I recently listen to a podcast with Towns and he reminds me of Shaq/Duncan because he is extremely intelligent and seems like a high basketball I.Q guy. His body seems to be extremely resolute for a rookie and can still be developed. If I had the option of taking Towns or Davis, I would take Towns in a heartbeat.

I've been saying that for most of the season. I'd take towns over Davis.   I was one of the first on the Davis bandwagon. Based on his rookie stats, I believed he was the second coming of KG.  But man, Towns is something else.  As a 19 year old rookie he's clearly better than Davis as a rookie... And thanks to the range, he might already be on the same level that Davis is on right now.

Funny I also said towns over Davis
As towns game is more likely to age well like Duncan
While Davis is more like KG which relies a lot on athleticism

[greece66]

LarBrd was right on this one.

Unless something changes radically in the future KAT > Davis

[crimson_stallion]

Definitely true.

I recently listen to a podcast with Towns and he reminds me of Shaq/Duncan because he is extremely intelligent and seems like a high basketball I.Q guy. His body seems to be extremely resolute for a rookie and can still be developed. If I had the option of taking Towns or Davis, I would take Towns in a heartbeat.

I've been saying that for most of the season. I'd take towns over Davis.   I was one of the first on the Davis bandwagon. Based on his rookie stats, I believed he was the second coming of KG.  But man, Towns is something else.  As a 19 year old rookie he's clearly better than Davis as a rookie... And thanks to the range, he might already be on the same level that Davis is on right now.

I also said this a month or two ago, and IIRC the general response from people was that I was insane for suggesting it lol

Towns is looking seriously impressive.  As an all round big man, few players have had a better rookie year.

Minnesota have absolutely killed Philly in the "tank/rebuild" game.  Between Wiggins, Towns and Lavine - that team has probably the most impressive young core in the NBA. 

I think the only team that would come close is probably Milwaukee, with Monroe/Parker/Giannis. 

Philly is well below both of those teams.

[Who]

Duncan was better than Shaq as a rookie. Better defensively & better offensively.

[slightly biased bias fan]

Duncan was better than Shaq as a rookie. Better defensively & better offensively.

Shaquille O'Neal rookie stats: 23.4 PPG 13.9 RPG 3.5 BPG
Tim Duncan rookie stats:  21.1 PPG 11.9 RPG 2.5 BPG

Also should be noted that Duncan was a full year older than Shaq when he debuted and had 4 years of College under his belt.

[Who]

Duncan was better than Shaq as a rookie. Better defensively & better offensively.

Shaquille O'Neal rookie stats: 23.4 PPG 13.9 RPG 3.5 BPG
Tim Duncan rookie stats:  21.1 PPG 11.9 RPG 2.5 BPG

Also should be noted that Duncan was a full year older than Shaq when he debuted and had 4 years of College under his belt.

Duncan was much more fundamentally sound on both ends of the court. His defense was superb. He defended the SF, PF and C positions on a regular basis. He got 2nd team all-defense. His offense was much more well rounded than Shaq. Duncan had more post moves, was a better jump-shooter and a more adept passer. Duncan did more to help his teammates than Shaq did because of his passing and offensive versatility. That is why Duncan was All-NBA first team. Superior defense and superior offense.

Shaq was more physically dominating than Duncan but he was not the superior player. Shaq was the superior rebounder as a rookie. Shaq took longer to develop as a passer. Never developed his jump-shot. Improved his post moves quickly year-on-year. Never put enough consistent effort on defense to be a top defender until his MVP year in 1999-2000. He just wasn't as good an all-round player as a rookie as Tim Duncan was. Duncan was a team player and winner from Day One. Shaq was rawer and had to develop that.

[LarBrd33]

Duncan was better than Shaq as a rookie. Better defensively & better offensively.

Shaquille O'Neal rookie stats: 23.4 PPG 13.9 RPG 3.5 BPG
Tim Duncan rookie stats:  21.1 PPG 11.9 RPG 2.5 BPG

Also should be noted that Duncan was a full year older than Shaq when he debuted and had 4 years of College under his belt.

Shaq played 3 years in college, right?
 
It's pretty incredible that towns is this good after a single college season.  It's scary to think of how good he can get.

[Ogaju]

can someone remind me how Minny was able to draft Towns? Was he their pick, or did some stupid franchise trade them the pick?

[PhoSita]

can someone remind me how Minny was able to draft Towns? Was he their pick, or did some stupid franchise trade them the pick?

Their pick.

[PhoSita]

Blake Griffin's first season was delayed by injury, but it was pretty impressive, too.

22 points 12 rebounds 4 assists 50% shooting 8.5 free throws per game.

[blackbird]

Allen Iverson rookie year - 23.5 points, 7.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds