NBA superstar Karl-Anthony Towns sits down with Shannon Sharpe at Club Shay Shay for an extensive and candid conversation. Karl-Anthony, also known as KAT, starts off by discussing his offseason activities and his claim to be the greatest shooting big man of all time, stating that he’s an even better shooter than Dirk Nowitzki or any other big man in NBA history. He dives into why he didn’t showcase his shooting abilities while playing at Kentucky under Coach John Calipari and talks about how both his and Anthony Davis’ games evolved after making it to the NBA. KAT also touches on the balance between team play at Kentucky and individual NBA aspirations.
KAT then reflects on Kentucky’s legendary 38-1 season, expressing the sting of their lone loss. He also delves into the Minnesota Timberwolves’ performance last season, offering an analysis of why they were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks and how the team discovered its strengths by relying on veteran leadership and holding each other accountable. Shannon Sharpe presses KAT on his shooting struggles during that series, asking why he didn’t change his scoring strategy. Then, KAT shares his detailed daily routine to keep himself in peak physical and mental condition as a basketball player.
Karl-Anthony addresses criticisms about his work ethic, specifically responding to comments made by Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Draymond Green, who have all questioned his practice regimen. KAT sets the record straight and also discusses his long-standing relationship with Kyrie Irving, tracing their bond back to their early days in New Jersey. He explains how he’s learned from Kyrie over the course of their NBA careers. KAT praises the skill and dominance of the Boston Celtics last season and explains how their championship was a long time coming.
KAT spends time talking about his Minnesota Timberwolves teammate Anthony Edwards, highlighting what makes Edwards special as a player and how their connection on the court is so strong. He explains why Anthony Edwards listens to him more than other people and discusses Edwards and other NBA stars' decision not to participate in the NBA Dunk Contest, sharing insights into why stars are now steering away from the event in favor of focusing on the three-point contest.
When it comes to Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony gives an honest assessment of what Gobert brings to the Timberwolves and where he falls short. He also dives into Gobert’s rivalry with Draymond Green and reflects on his time playing under Coach Tom Thibodeau, detailing the ups and downs of his coaching philosophy. KAT gets into the infamous rift between him and Jimmy Butler, explaining how the experience helped him grow as both a teammate and a leader. #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.