Dane Moore NBA Podcast: KAT Speaks Honestly About Defense + Observations From Preseason Finale

For over nine months, Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t publicly speak a word about playing basketball. He, of course, talked about being a basketball player. But the idea of talking about X’s and O’s or his specific strengths and weaknesses as a player? No shot. Understandably so.

To be honest, KAT has never exactly been keen on discussing those topics. Historically, he’s liked to stay on the surface.

That pattern of behavior made it all the more shocking when, out of nowhere, Towns got into talking hoops after Thursday night’s game in Dallas. Again, it’s not that Towns has never spoken about the team needing to improve defensively. This was, however, the first time he really acknowledged that he needs to improve defensively.

I thought this was an important thing to flag and focus on in today’s pod. So I play an extended clip of KAT’s postgame commentary and then discuss why that self-awareness might be the first real step toward change on the defensive end for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Also discussed on the pod, four more observations from Thursday night in Dallas:

• Anthony Edwards’ best preseason game, and how his film thus far has compared to the other top picks from the 2020 Class.
• Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie shine on the wing, making the case for large roles in the rotation this season. Might they even play together? Should they?
• Naz Reid playing over Ed Davis and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and my prediction for what the big man rotation looks like to start the season.
• Discussing Jordan McLaughlin’s new contract and how we got here.

(If you can’t access the Spotify player, click here to listen to the latest episode.)