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NBA Mock Draft Pick #1 -- Karl Anthony-Towns, Center, Kentucky
SB Nation's Timberwolves' blog Canis Hoopus explains the pick:
This was not a choice that kept the "braintrust" (me) up nights. Karl-Anthony Towns represents everything we want in a top draft pick: a demonstrated diversity of skills on both sides of the ball, physical gifts, intelligence, and potential to be a long term part of the core of our team. All that, and he fills a glaring need in the front court for a team that had the worst defense and worst rim protection in the league last season. We don't expect Towns to come in and be a star right away--rookies, and especially rookie bigs--rarely are. But we think he's going to be a tremendous player for us in the future, anchoring the defense and providing quality offense as well with his ability to play with his back to the basket and developing range. In particular, we think he has the qualities to play the pick and roll effectively on both offense and defense, which is central to today's NBA.
While we considered a few other players that we certainly like in this spot, Towns was the clear choice throughout, and we are looking forward to blending him with Ricky Rubio at point guard and Andrew Wiggins on the wing to create an athletic, entertaining team that is excellent on both sides of the ball.
1) Minnesota Timberwolves: KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS
10) Miami Heat
11) Indiana Pacers
12) Utah Jazz
13) Phoenix Suns
15) Atlanta Hawks
16) Boston Celtics
17) Milwaukee Bucks
18) Houston Rockets
20) Toronto Raptors
21) Dallas Mavericks
22) Chicago Bulls
25) Memphis Grizzlies
27) Los Angeles Lakers
28) Boston Celtics
29) Brooklyn Nets
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