INDIANAPOLIS — This is hardly a shocker with Karl-Anthony Towns. We knew he was a poor defender. He was such a poor paint protector that the Timberwolves spent four first-round picks and a pick swap to acquire another player — Rudy Gobert — to take on the defensive responsibilities at center.
That was part of the deal, part of the trade. They got an elite offensive 7-footer and a subpar defender.
The Knicks knew this. And for much of this season, they managed it. OG Anunoby picked up a lot of the slack. Mikal Bridges kicked into high gear in the postseason. Survived it and advanced.
But now facing an unrelenting Pacers team with a smart coach in Rick Carlisle, the issue is at the forefront with a pressing need for a solution.
