In 2024, the New York Knicks risked it all. They traded for Karl-Anthony Towns and stood $300,000 below the second apron. That leap of faith showed results throughout the playoffs and culminated in the Conference Finals. But since then, Karl-Anthony Towns has seemingly lost his consistency. Many feel that the 31-year-old former No.1 pick is struggling to fit into the roster. Now, heading into the playoffs, even Shaquille O’Neal has a major doubt about Towns.

“You know what scares me about the Knicks? I don’t know which KAT imma get. Am I going to get a tiger or am I going to get a cat?” Shaq said on The Big Podcast. “Sometimes, he plays phenomenal. And other times he’s nowhere to be found. If he plays like I know he can play, I’mma go with the Knicks. But he hasn’t showed me that in the last couple years.”

So far in the 2025-26 regular season, with 75 appearances, Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 20.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Meanwhile, his shooting split is 50.1/36.8/85.8. However, his fit within the Knicks’ new-look rotation concerns many. In fact, both Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley called out Towns for his inconsistency and “soft” play.

“The thing that frustrates me about him is that, to me, he doesn’t know how to play basketball. What I mean by that is, he’s a terrific seven-foot shooter,” Barkley said of Karl-Anthony Towns earlier in February. “The same criticism I had with Joel Embiid. The matchup dictates whether you shoot 3s or go post up. That’s what I mean by not knowing how to play basketball.”

In simple terms, Chuck sees KAT’s potential; he sees how dominant Towns can possibly be inside; however, he chooses 3-pointers. This NBA legend had the same criticism of Joel Embiid, too. Meanwhile, Shaq didn’t hold back, either. He joined the critique, labelling Towns’ style “soft” and inconsistent. “You’re going to have to decide who you want to be. Inside or outside, but whatever you decide, you have to be consistent,” O’Neal said.

Towns has shown in flashes this season that he’s still that talented player. But that’s where the problem lies; his good has only come sporadically throughout the season. By 16 games in this season, he was staring at career lows of shooting only 45% from the floor and 33.7% from the deep. But right after this slump, Towns left a mark against the Brooklyn Nets, logging a team-high 37 points. He was 14-of-20 from the floor, too. It’s this hot and cold performance that’s confusing fans, and legends like O’Neal.

However, Towns has rebounded, big time. He’s in a much better shape now than he was before, and is now the second-highest in the team in points, just six shy of leader Jalen Brunson. Fans were surprised when a struggling Karl-Anthony Towns was named an All-Star, but he’s slowly reclaiming his path to glory. The New York Knicks are in a very good place now, and the star center will make a big appearance in the upcoming games.

Karl-Anthony Towns has still got it to impress Shaquille O’Neal someday

What Towns now needs to show to prove to O’Neal that he’s a “tiger” is consistency. He looks much more like it since the break, and is getting those points in. But before the break, Towns was adjusting to playing in a new position in coach Mike Brown’s offense. It got to him; he was missing open three-pointers. Before the Knicks won against Houston, Towns was at a disappointing 36.5 average in this stat. That’s around two three-pointers per game.

But in the thrilling game against the Chicago Bulls, Towns put on quite the show. He put 32 points on the board, 26 of them being made in the second half after a first half that would have invited Shaquille O’Neal’s disappointment once again. With time, Karl-Anthony Towns is proving that he’s not a lost cause just yet.

“When anyone sees the ball go through the hoop, it gives a level of confidence and makes you feel like you can do anything on the court,” Jalen Brunson said. “Then you shot-fake, they bite, and then you’re able to make plays for yourself or others. For (Towns), it’s a great sign. He’s sticking with it. That’s who he is.”

The 53-year-old legend believes Karl-Anthony Towns has the ability to dominate anyone, but he remains critical of his passive playing style and frustrated by his lack of consistency. KAT just has to keep putting his best foot forward.