Karl Towns compared to other NBA stars at age 26

The Dominican center at the level of individual statistics is on par with other stars in the league but in the collective aspect there is still a lot to achieve

Karl-Anthony Towns He “celebrated” his 26th birthday Monday night with a 35-point, 12-rebound performance in the Timberwolves’ 99-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

As time passes the Dominican continues to put numbers that are added to the history of the Minnesota franchise but in the end this does not turn into achievements for the team. ESPN Digital takes a look at the accomplishments and numbers of some of the NBA’s biggest stars when they reached the same age as Towns in their careers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Perhaps he is the player who accumulates the most achievements and numbers when he reaches 26 years of age. At this age the Greek is already NBA champion, MVP of some finals and two times MVP of the league.

From ESPN we wish KAT many congratulations on his 26 🎉🎂#NBAxESPN 🏀 @KarlTowns pic.twitter.com/jo3h5eFyVj

– ESPN.com.do🇩🇴 (@ESPN_DO) November 15, 2021

With his career averages of 21 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists, he has also been selected to the All-Star Game five times, accumulates a Defense of the Year award and has been selected as the Most Improved Player in the NBA.

When Lebron James He reached 26 and was already playing in his eighth NBA season and at the end of it he already accumulated 17,362 points in his career, and although Towns is in his seventh, including one cut by Covid-19 and injuries, he has 9,653 points totaled.

birthday buckets 😼 pic.twitter.com/qjAGJ0nrC8

– Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 16, 2021

Towns outpaces him in rebounds despite having fewer games played from 4,863 to 4,451, but still at that age he had not achieved his first NBA championship, something that KAT wishes but has not been close so far. LeBron had already been named MVP at 24 and 25 years of age.

Looking for a player similar in position to Towns a little further back, Tim duncan He reached the league at age 21 and at 26 he already had 5,548 rebounds and 10,324 points in 6 seasons, and the Dominican will probably be able to exceed these numbers when this season ends if he remains healthy.

The big difference is that the former San Antonio Spurs player was an important part in the transformation of the franchise and at 26 he already accumulated a championship and a Most Valuable Player award in the league.

There is no doubt that Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best players in the NBA today, but the above shows that to at least be considered one of the greats when his career ends, individual statistics will not suffice.

The key is to play in a competitive franchise or at least try to be. There are roads, and that is why, despite the fact that KAT has always shown himself to be loyal, the argument always comes up that Minnesota may not be the place for him. Only time will tell.