NEW ORLEANS — Towns Seeks International Status in All-Star Format
Karl-Anthony Towns has expressed his preference for an international role in the new All-Star format, provided he receives an invitation to Los Angeles.
“First off, I hope it’s a success,” Towns stated. “And secondly, I really want to be part of the world team.”
The latest idea from Adam Silver introduces a format where the 24 All-Stars will be split into three teams: two consisting of U.S.-born players and one made up of international players, competing in a condensed round-robin tournament.
There’s some ambiguity for Towns. He was born and raised in the U.S., yet he has represented the Dominican Republic in various competitions, thanks to his mother’s origins. So, it’s a bit complicated.
As previously announced by the NBA, if the All-Star voting doesn’t meet the required number of 16 U.S. players and eight international, which could include U.S. candidates linked to other nations, Commissioner Silver has the authority to appoint additional All-Stars to fulfill these quotas.
This places Towns in a bit of a guessing game in terms of whether he’ll align with the U.S. team or the world team, and honestly, it’s tough to say right now.
At 30 years old, Towns is a five-time All-Star and appears to be a solid contender for another selection in February.
Key figures for the World Team include Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic. The remaining four spots will be determined following All-Star voting.
During last season, Tyler Kolec was still in college while the Knicks battled injuries to key players like Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson, securing 50 wins with remarkable determination.
Kolec observed some parallels as the Knicks handle their own injuries, notably a sprained ankle. “Before joining the team, I watched them struggle in fourth quarters. Jalen [Brunson] and Donte [DiVincenzo] had that grit and toughness, which I think is becoming evident in our current team,” he said.
The Knicks, currently 22-9, have won four out of five games that were within three points in the final two minutes.
Miles McBride has been marked as questionable for the upcoming game against the Pelicans.
