It’s a great opportunity to embark on an NBA rookie season in itself, but for the no. 1 overall pick, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns, another special opportunity presents itself. Towns will be teammates with veteran, champion, and former MVP Kevin Garnett, who has been spending time with the rookie this summer.
Towns said he wanted to learn from Garnett, and now he has the chance to speak on that experience.
From Steve Aschburner of NBA.com:
“He’s my mentor,” said Towns, who spent time with Garnett in Los Angeles last month. “Everything he knows, and countless years he’s been playing this game at a high level, [I am] just trying to garner information from him every day. Learn how to be a better leader, how to be a champion, just to be a true professional.”
Combine the skill set and mobility of Towns with the passion and focus of Garnett and something good is probably the outcome. Garnett re-signed with the Timberwolves on a two-year deal and reportedly has the starting forward spot for Minnesota, a position that Towns will still have to earn.
The role of mentor is more important for Garnett and the Timberwolves than what he’ll be contributing on the floor. Eventually they want that starting forward spot to be Towns’, and since he’s under the mentorship of a future Hall-of-Famer and one of the best ever at his position, his chances look fine.
