Karl-Anthony Towns Won't Stop Humiliating Defenders

Karl-Anthony Towns went for 27 points and 18 rebounds in a loss to the Celtics last night, and he got things started in what’s starting to become a familiar style.

On the very first possession of the game, Towns faced up Al Horford at the free-throw line, and then proceeded to pants Horford so dramatically that I can only assume the Celtics center was immediately disowned by his family:

Let’s not be mistaken: Al Horford is 30 years old and likely edging past his prime, but he’s not some creaking oaf. At the start of the play, Horford’s got his hand up and his feet moving like he’s been in this situation 1,000 times, but then Towns goes behind the back and suddenly Horford is lost at sea. Look at how useless his arm is, pawing at the chasm of space left between him and Towns; look at those damn feet, sputtering in place and desperately trying to get back to dry land.

This play was a nice followup to Towns’s dismantling of Joel Embiid from last week. Through the first 13 games of the season, Towns has the look of a star who is really starting to come into his own and gain full control of his talents. I don’t think this is the last time we’re going to see him embarrass someone on the floor.