Sometimes what seems to be the worst tends to reap the sweetest gifts. That’s how Karl-Anthony Towns’ stint has been in New York thus far. After devoting nine years of his career to fostering a championship environment in Minnesota, the monstrous center found a way back home even when he didn’t want to. It reunited him with a coach Towns didn’t see eye-to-eye with in his early years. Now, they have become the perfect duo in the Big Apple.

It’s called the process of maturity.

Karl-Anthony Towns approached his time in New York with a cleanse. Even though shaken by the trade happening only days before the season was scheduled to begin, he didn’t hold any resentment for Minnesota. Additionally, Towns willingly put aside any tensions with Tom Thibodeau to ensure the “head start” they possess comes of value.

It’s the mindset of somebody who prioritizes winning basketball over anything else. Thibs saw hints of it when the potent center showed up in New York’s practice facility. And that also stands as the difference between the Karl-Anthony Towns who made space for the newer crop to take over in Minnesota and the ruthless big man who is taking over the Big Apple.

“You know when you get older, you see things with a different lens. Life has taught me a lot and experience has taught me a ton. For me to be in this position at this stage, at this maturity level with this understanding of life now. I was a boy then. I am a man now. So for me to be in this situation, being back home, being at the mecca you know everything that came with it and obviously how I got here, it makes the process a lot easier and more understanding,” he told Jay Williams and ESPN the crew.

In Minnesota, bound by his times as a rookie, Towns had room for enjoying the building process and the intricate things. However, now in a big market and back home, the basketball cart is driven with purpose. Only one objective looms over Karl-Anthony Towns, to play a style of basketball that compliments winning.

So far, he has become the beacon New York has been missing for so long.

Karl-Anthony Towns has moved on seamlessly

For ages, the Knicks craved for a center that could score the ball while maintaining the instincts of a big man. Robinson, the longest tenures Knick supplied defensive prowess to Thibs’ system. However, the need for an enforcer was always large. That’s why for years, Leon Rose tried to get Karl-Anthony Towns back home.

And now that he is, only one motive propels the former Wolves center in his stint. “All about winning” was the phrase he constantly reiterated during his first media session. That meant buying into his former coach’s methods and adjusting once again. After being the forefront in Minnesota, Karl-Anthony Towns had to take a backseat for Edwards and even relinquish the center spot for Rudy Gobert.

But Thibodeau loves to have a seven-foot bruiser at hand who imposes himself relentlessly. Towns has taken that baton and isn’t looking back anymore. In 22 games so far, his production is the second-best of his career. Furthermore, typical of Thibs’ hard style of play, Karl-Anthony Towns’ 13.3 rebounds is a career-high mark.

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The ask seems straightforward. Towns is being the ideal counterpart to Jalen Brunson and also provides the Knicks with scoring from 1-5 in the starting unit. Thus far, he has managed to compile 20 double-doubles. Last season, it took 62 games for him to get to 22. Hence, from a personal perspective, the move has dramatically benefitted Karl-Anthony Towns.

He is back to playing his natural position and is capable of playing ‘bully ball’ fearlessly due to the depth the first five offer. Such immediate comfort is rare. But with Karl-Anthony Towns wanting to win after a revolutionary stint with the Wolves, every task at hand is accepted graciously.

What should have been a challenge seems to be as if Towns has been in New York all his life. They have taken a berth as legitimate contenders. And his fervor is amplified with Towns having the opportunity to do something special in his home.