The New York Knicks versus Boston Celtics series has gone differently than what anyone predicted so far.
Many thought the Knicks would struggle to challenge the defending champions, let alone win the first two games in Boston.
It’s hard to argue that Tom Thibodeau’s team aren’t now favorites to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals as they return to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4.
But while this is overwhelmingly positive for the Knicks, one player is now under much more pressure.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesKarl-Anthony Towns has most to gain from Knicks vs Celtics series
There’s always pressure on star players in the NBA Playoffs, but it’s rarely evenly distributed. Karl-Anthony Towns is an example of someone with more at stake than most.
See, Towns has been an excellent player from the moment he entered the league. He averaged 18.3 points per game in his debut season (2014-15) and has never dropped below 20 since then.
Unfortunately, his stats have typically been overlooked due to questions over whether he’s a “winning” player, instead falling into the “empty numbers” category.
And there’s some truth to that argument. Until last season, when the Minnesota Timberwolves made the Western Conference Finals, Towns had only won four playoff games.
Now, he has a golden opportunity to make his second consecutive Conference Finals, and the Knicks’ first in 25 years. This would put to bed any argument that you can’t win with him.
Towns and Co would then have every chance to make it past the Indiana Pacers or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the next round.
Not to mention, a championship, or even a Finals appearance, would probably ensure that Towns makes the Hall of Fame. That’s what’s at stake for the 29-year-old.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ current Hall of Fame probability
Basketball Reference currently gives Towns a 48 percent chance of making the Hall of Fame. By comparison, DeMar DeRozan and Luka Doncic are the most similar active players on 48.3% and 44.7%, respectively.
The Knicks center’s regular-season resume certainly qualifies as Hall of Fame-worthy. He’s made five All-Star appearances and two All-NBA teams, won the Rookie of the Year Award, and the Three-Point Contest.
He’s also shown impressive longevity, with 10 quality seasons as a starting-caliber player, and his injury record isn’t too bad either.
The only thing letting Towns down at the moment is that one Conference Finals appearance is simply not enough, but that could change very soon.