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Karl-Anthony Towns: Predictions for Top 20 NBA Players

By Paul Bellesen

Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are a lot of high expectations for the young Minnesota Timberwolves and their cornerstone player Karl-Anthony Towns this year. Towns will continue to blossom into one of the league’s top players.

After posting an amazing rookie season, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has put himself in elite company. He is garnering comparisons to Tim Duncan, Lebron James, Shaq, and other greats. This is all due to the number he put up in his rookie season.

As Towns grows into his adult body, he will become even more of a force. Towns has stepped up as a vocal leader for the young Timberwolves squad. He is determined to bring this franchise back from mediocrity.

Our friends over at Bleacher Report put together a list of bold predictions for the top 20 NBA players heading into next season. Towns is already considered a top 20 player in the league and one of the best centers in the NBA.

They have Towns ranked as the 18th best player in the NBA right now, after one season.

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Here is what they had to say about their prediction for Towns:

"Prediction: Named to All-NBA First or Second TeamFour sophomores over the last 20 years have earned All-NBA First or Second Team selections: Tim Duncan, Blake Griffin, LeBron James and Wade. The last second-year player to get in as a center was David Robinson in 1991.This is the kind of company Karl-Anthony Towns appears set to join.Towns isn’t just working off a Rookie of the Year award; he’s coming off one of the best debut seasons in NBA history. Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal are the only other newbies who cleared 18 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 54 percent or better from the floor. Towns is more unique, in that he has three-point range.To that end, he joined Anthony Davis last season as the lone two players to sink 30 or more three-pointers, in addition to averaging at least 18 points, 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. So he wrapped his inaugural crusade playing like an All-Star.Securing All-NBA First or Second Team honors will still be tricky. DeMarcus Cousins isn’t going anywhere, Andre Drummond and Hassan Whiteside may keep exploding, and Davis could spend more time at center than power forward.But Towns is already a star and, thus, has a real opportunity to be recognized as such at the end of next season."

Towns should have no problem making one of the All NBA teams next season. Although jumping Demarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, and DeAndre Jordan will be the tough part.

Towns will benefit greatly from the defensive savy introduced by new Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. He has a chance to be a great defensive anchor with the right teaching.

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With the Minnesota Timberwolves stock rising, Karl-Anthony Towns has become the face of the franchise. Towns will become this generation’s Kevin Garnett.

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