
via Getty
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JUNE 12: Kobe Bryant, Lindsey Hunter and Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate following Game Four of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets on June 12, 2002 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)

via Getty
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – JUNE 12: Kobe Bryant, Lindsey Hunter and Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate following Game Four of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets on June 12, 2002 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal redefined what it means to be a duo. Both unstoppable in their primes, they sent shockwaves around the league. They dominated for three years straight, winning a title in each of the seasons. Since then, the NBA hasn’t come across a duo that even has signs of the two greats. However, Karl Anthony Towns is looking to create a similar culture with Anthony Edwards.
Minnesota was a surprise team last season. After dragging themselves into the play-in, the Wolf pack crushed the competition. Their celebrations went all over the place as the Timberwolves had a scent of success. However, the young team was no match for a Ja Morant-led Memphis Grizzlies.

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Mar 14, 2022; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
But Towns isn’t letting last season get in the way. The 3-time All-Star wants to raise the roof with his teammate, Anthony Edwards. Shockingly, he wants to rise to the level of Kobe Bryant and Shaq.
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Towns wants to be great like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant
The Wolves have a young core who are bound to explore. But the biggest draw remains to be the duo of the number 1 picks. Both Towns and Edwards had career years last season. Their potential is over the roof and KAT knows it. In a recent interview, the Wolves big man spoke over him and Edwards potentially becoming the best duo.
Towns left the NBA fanbase stunned. He believes ANT and himself can play at the level of one of the most dominant duos of all time. He said: “Go out there and play at a level that hasn’t been seen since Shaq and Kobe. Do what we do best, I think that we just need to continue being ourselves.”
While Towns and Edwards can raise the level, they aren’t similar to Kobe Bryant and the Big Diesel. ANT showed his killer instinct leading the Wolves in the playoffs and putting up nearly 26 points and 3 assists.
However, the main difference comes with the bigs. Shaq was a giant rocking the rim and dominating anyone. On the other hand, while Towns has impressed, he has shrunk in the big moments. The Grizzlies series showed a side of Karl Anthony Towns that raised many questions.
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Can the Wolves duo be number one?
Despite the struggles, KAT and ANT have an unreal set of skill sets. Towns is by far the best shooting big man in the league. He can score on all three levels and is a reliable shot blocker. As for Edwards, he is as athletic as they come. The former number one pick has developed his offense, and he will come back much stronger this season.

USA Today via Reuters
Apr 21, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the fourth quarter during game one of the three round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Moreover, the addition of Rudy Gobert has made the Wolves a powerhouse on both ends of the floor. Towns no longer has to worry about blocking shots with the best one in his corner. Hence, while there is a long way to go, Towns and Anthony Edwards can surely surprise the ranks.
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Do you think the addition of Rudy Gobert makes the Timberwolves serious threats? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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