In the current NBA league, if a star player is not tough enough and doesn't perform well in the playoffs, they will surely face criticism and doubts from all sides. Jimmy Butler is the strongest playoff king, a symbol of toughness, because he plays relatively mediocre in the regular season but always explodes with madness in the playoffs, turning the tide. Butler is also the only player in the current league to have eliminated the super MVP superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in the black eight. Despite the defense of Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, Butler can still score 56 points, which is undoubtedly his ability to play hard games. 30+20! 22+22! The entire league mocked him as a softie, thank you for the trade that made him the rebound king.
Now, the Thunder in the Western Conference has won 12 consecutive victories and firmly holds the top spot in the West. In the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers have won 8 consecutive victories, occupying the first place in the East and the league. The Knicks have also recently won 8 consecutive victories, with their record and winning rate approaching the Celtics, just one win behind them. The Celtics recently lost to the Pacers and the 76ers, with their form somewhat unstable. Why can the Knicks achieve an 8-game winning streak, and are they getting better and better? Brunson scored 55 points in a single game, Bridges scored 41 points in a single game, Towns easily achieved various 30+10 data, Anunoby's defense was as stable as a sea god needle, and their four giants' synergy effect became apparent.
From the Timberwolves to the Knicks, Towns averaged 24.8 points + 13.6 rebounds (first in the league) + 3.3 assists + 0.9 steals + 1.0 blocks this season, with a shooting percentage as high as 55.0%, a three-point percentage of 43.8%, and a free throw percentage of 83.5%. Towns is now not only very sharp and efficient in scoring, but his rebounding ability has always been the best in the league, and his defensive rim protection is very strong. Towns has undergone a transformation, and his joining has brought about a qualitative change in the Knicks.
According to official reports from NBA journalists, Towns has grabbed 418 rebounds this season, making him the top rebounder in the league. In the recent 8-game winning streak, Towns has scored at least 30 points + 10 rebounds in 4 games. When the Knicks faced the Timberwolves, Towns, facing his old club, had an efficient 12-of-10 shooting, scoring 32 points + 20 rebounds + 6 assists + 2 steals + 1 block, leading the team to victory. In the Knicks' match against the Magic, Towns scored 22 points + 22 rebounds + 5 assists + 2 blocks efficiently, helping the Knicks win a key ranking battle. In the Knicks' game against the Raptors, Towns scored 31 points + 10 rebounds + 7 assists + 1 steal + 1 block.
NBA statistics show that so far this season, Jokic and Towns have tied for the most rebounds in a single game with 22, ranking first in the league. So far this season, Towns has recorded 30+10 data 9 times, ranking second in the league. According to ESPN experts, Towns averaged 23.3 points + 14.6 rebounds + 3.3 assists + 1.1 blocks in December, with a shooting percentage of 56.6% and a three-point percentage of 40%. He has a chance to compete for the title of Player of the Month. Towns is likely to be selected for the All-Star starting lineup this season. In the first stage of voting results, Antetokounmpo, Tatum, Towns, Mitchell, and Trae Young lead the Eastern Conference All-Star starters.
Once, during his time with the Timberwolves, Towns played poorly and lacked leadership ability, causing fans across the league to mock him as a softie. Now, after joining the Knicks, changing teams is like becoming a new person, and Towns has become a tough rebound king. Towns has set career highs in offensive scoring and rebounding data, and along with Brunson and others, he is leading the Knicks to a remarkable rise. This season, the Knicks have assembled a four-giant lineup of Towns, Brunson, Bridges, and Anunoby, giving them a chance to compete for the championship in the playoffs.
