Now THIS is how you develop a rookie. Don’t let him get any easy looks in the paint. How is Karl-Anthony Towns going to get better if he has someone feeding him bunnies underneath the basket? He isn’t. The only way, and I mean the ONLY way, he’s going to improve is if he has to take jumpers all the time. Maybe let him have a post move or two against an elite shotblocker, but mainly, just stick with long twos.
How many rookies we have seen ruined by limp-wristed coaching staffs, afraid to utilize tried-and-true methods of player development, letting them slam dunks and shoot layups? Too many, too many indeed. Bravo, Sam Mitchell and company, for forcefeeding your young big jumpshots. He will now be a more complete and polished player for it.