Shaq Believes This Knicks Player Could Make or Break Their Title Chances

The New York Knicks entered the season as the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title. With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton both expected to miss huge portions of the season, the Knicks looked primed to take advantage of a wide-open conference. However, while the Knicks haven’t necessarily had a bad season, they haven’t looked as dominant in the East as some were expecting. 

As of Monday, the Knicks are the 3rd seed in the East with a record of 47-25. They are five games out of the number one seed, but have won six straight games and seem to be turning things up at the right time. 

4-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal recently spoke about the Knicks on The Big Pod with Shaq. Shaq believes that there is one player on the Knicks who will make the difference on whether they win a championship or fall short once again. 

“I think the key is Karl-Anthony Towns. He has the potential to be that. I always tell people, if you get a little puppy and it always keeps coming back, you got a dog. Every time he gives 27, 28 points, I’m like, ‘That’s how you should play.’ Brunson and you – 1,2 punch. He’s the key.”

Karl-Anthony Towns has had an up-and-down season. His numbers are down from last year across the board. Last season he averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, while this year, he is down to 20.2 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. While his production has dipped, so have his minutes. He’s down to 31.1 minutes per game from last year’s 35 minutes per game. 

Even with his decreased production, Towns is still having a solid season. Maybe Shaq should look at players like Mikal Bridges, who has really struggled of late, as more essential to the team’s winning.