First on offense, last on defense, Karl-Anthony Towns feels disrespected

Karl-Anthony Towns, coming off two consecutive All-Star appearances, is averaging a career-best 27.0 points per game this season. His 4.2 assists per game are a career high, as are efficiency numbers such as effective field goal percentage (.602, thanks in large part to 40.6% three-point shooting on an easily career-high 8.2 attempts per game).

He's become a nearly fully realized best version of his offensive self in the Wolves' new offensive system. So naturally, when Western Conference All-Star reserves were announced Thursday, Towns … didn't make the cut.

What gives?

Well, probably a few factors. But here's one theory: Reserves are picked by coaches, and those coaches are increasingly paying attention to a player's contributions on both ends of the court.

Among 65 centers, Towns is a clear-cut No. 1 in offensive real plus-minus (4.93, with the next-highest player barely at 2.22). But he is dead last on the defensive side (minus-3.03).

In making the All-Star team each of the previous two seasons, Towns wasn't a great defensive player. But he at least finished each season with a positive defensive RPM even if he ranked in the bottom third of centers both years. The two true centers picked as West reserves, by the way, rank No. 2 (Rudy Gobert) and No. 5 (Nikola Jokic) in defensive RPM.

Bradley Beal, another all-star "snub," is also dead last at his position in defensive RPM (out of 128 shooting guards) despite a tremendous offensive output.

"I'm desensitized to being disrespected in this league," Towns told the Star Tribune's Chris Hine over the weekend. "I've been disrespected since I came in. It's nothing new when I didn't see my name up there. When you're a person who's been disrespected like me so much, it's something you expect honestly. You're kind of shocked when you do get it."

I'm not quite sure what to make of that quote, though it doesn't strike the right notes.

But however Towns chooses to motivate himself, one would hope it results in more victories for his team. He skipped right over December and January in terms of victories he's been on the court for — 15 consecutive losses total — which is a strong argument against him, regardless of defense.

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