Knicks star can expect trash talk from former teammate in matchup vs. Bulls

Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts to an and one basket in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

New York Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns will have one opponent particularly coming for his head in his Wednesday night matchup against the Chicago Bulls.

Knicks: Bulls’ Zach Lavine looks forward to trash-talking Karl-Anthony Towns

Towns’ former teammate Zach LaVine understands the value that the Kentucky product brings to the Knicks. Taking notice of the stellar early season that Towns is putting forth in New York, the two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion is adamant about dishing out some trash talk when the two take the floor.

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According to Chicago Sports Network’s K.C. Johnson, LaVine had this to say about his approach ahead of the upcoming matchup (h/t Joey Linn of Chicago Bulls on SI):

“Zach LaVine on facing new-look Knicks with Karl-Anthony Towns: ‘He gives them a lot of offense. Hopefully I can talk a little trash to him, throw him off his game. Say some old words to him, see if it makes him miss a couple 3s,'” Johnson published on X on Tuesday morning.

Towns’ strong play calls for detracting tactics

Oct 30, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives to the basketball against Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

LaVine has reason to want to trade jabs with Towns on the affair. Towns is connecting on a ridiculous 53.7 percent of his looks from three-point range. He ranks No. 7 in the NBA in that department. He’s also putting up a strong 24.9 points and 12.3 rebounds per night in fringe-MVP fashion despite his assists per contest (2.3 APG) being down on the campaign.

It will take a lot for the Bulls to slow him down, seeing that the former 2015 No. 1 overall pick has done much of his dirty work against the best defensive big men in the league including Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) and Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers).

LaVine will bring his own 22.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 3.1 3PM on 41.7 percent connection from long range into the big-city slugfest, along with his talk. The Knicks, led by Towns and fellow All-Star Jalen Brunson, will look to quiet the two-time All-Star shooting guard and his Bulls squad as they strive to reach above .500 on the year.

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