Kendrick Perkins said an Eastern Conference All-Star should share the same criticisms given to Luka Doncic last season.
Luka Doncic faced criticism for being out of shape and was traded to the LA Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks as a result. Doncic underwent an incredible body transformation this offseason in response, and is a fan favourite to win NBA MVP this season.
But analyst Kendrick Perkins said he isn’t the only player who should be criticised like Doncic was. He pointed to a star in the East that also needs to put in the work.
Kendrick Perkins says Karl-Anthony Towns should face the same critiques as Luka Doncic
Perkins said that New York Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns is under pressure to improve this offseason, just as Doncic did.
Speaking on NBA Today, he said, “It’s time for him to deliver. There’s been a lot of criticism when it comes down to Luka Doncic and what he did defensively and being in shape, well [Karl-Anthony Towns] falls into that category.
“KAT is a walking bucket. He’s one of one. He’s arguably the best shooting big we’ve ever seen. He’s really, really skilled.
“But that’s not what he needs to correct. He needs to correct his ability to get up and down the floor, be able to slide those puppies. He was getting cooked in the pick-and-roll.”
The Knicks crashed out of the postseason to the NBA finalist Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Towns had an up-and-down playoff run, and while he played well in the Conference Finals, he was targeted on defence throughout the series.
The Knicks fired Head Coach Tom Thibodeau and replaced him with coaching veteran Mike Brown. This has to be the season New York gets over the hump.
NBA Finals or bust for the New York Knicks
The Knicks snapped a 25-year drought by making the Conference Finals last season, but this year is Finals or bust. The East is wide open for them to run through.
Jayson Tatum’s injury rules out the Boston Celtics from contention, as does Tyrese Haliburton’s injury for the Pacers. The Philadelphia 76ers are in an injury crisis, and the Milwaukee Bucks are struggling to build a contender for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the clearest threat to the Knicks. They were the one-seed last year before losing to the Pacers in the second round. But the Knicks arguably have the best two players between the teams in Towns and Jalen Brunson.
If they don’t win the East this season, the Celtics will be back with a reset roster and ready to make a run at the title. 2026 is the year for the Knicks to make their first Finals since 1999.