Despite finding commendable success in earlier playoff rounds, Minnesota now seems to be struggling. Their most recent matchup ended in a 3rd consecutive loss. Just one more loss and their Championship hopes will once again be gone. In this precarious position, Karl-Anthony Towns became the scapegoat. Shaq wasn’t taking up for any Wolves player today, certainly not for their second-highest leading scorer!
A few hours ago on Inside the NBA, Shaq took a shot at KAT for not helping out Anthony Edwards in the scoring effort. Recalling his own playing days, the 52-year-old revealed that he learned how to perform alongside players who would “dominate” the ball while he would act as a support. The Twolves player has failed to be that support. “0/8 from three is unacceptable,” declared Shaq.
“You’ve got a 1-2 punch, both of them have to play great if you want to continue on and on”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Karl-Anthony ended the recent matchup by putting up just 14 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. His low score total was not solely because of a lack of effort, as the player successfully shot only 5-18 (27.8%) field goals. However, members of his roster admitted that the player’s shooting form was pulling them down. “He struggled, of course,” said head coach Chris Finch. “It was hard to watch at times.”
“KAT has not stepped up. 0/8 from three is unacceptable. After you shoot two threes and it don’t go down take your big ass in the lane and do what Chuck has been talking about.”
Shaq on KAT’s Game 3 performance pic.twitter.com/cjal1IBNSN
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 27, 2024
Anthony Edwards, on the other hand, had managed to pull himself up. After a lower-than-average performance during the last two games that he blamed on physical fatigue, the 22-year-old shooting guard was able to drop 26 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists this time around. Despite this, the Timberwolves lost by a score of 116-107, the biggest margin since the beginning of the Conference Finals.
Shaq was unimpressed with Karl-Anthony Towns’ post-game ‘attitude’
After Game 3 vs. Dallas, Karl-Anthony Towns engaged in a Q&A session. When addressing his poor shooting skills during the recent faceoff, the player made it clear that the same wasn’t due to a lack of effort. “I’ve got to laugh,” he said. “I’m putting up to 1500 shots a day. Shot so well all playoffs, confidence extremely high. To be having these unfortunate bounces and these looks that are just not going in, it’s tough. I’m good confidence-wise”.
Do you know who wasn’t laughing? Shaquille O’Neal. After the ‘Inside the NBA’ crew highlighted the statement, Big Diesel criticized the Twolves star’s carefree attitude and highlighted how seriously players of the previous era took this.
“The fact that he (Towns) is not upset that he played terrible showed me that he’s not ready yet,” said Shaq. “Kobe missed the last shot, you better not say nothing to him on the plane. Penny Hardaway missed the last pass, you better not say nothing to him. I miss 2-3 free throws, don’t say nothing.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Do you believe that Shaquille O’Neal’s criticism of Karl-Anthony Towns is justified? Let us know in the comments down below.
As we draw this topic about Shaq to an end, If you wish to know more about his ‘punditry’ mindset along with the established brand the NBA legend created, be sure to check out what Shaq’s former agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad