Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has had his fair share of battles with Karl-Anthony Towns over the years — and he hasn’t always been complimentary. At one point, Green labeled Towns as one of the softest big men in the NBA. But now, ahead of the New York Knicks’ first-round playoff matchup against the Detroit Pistons, the tone has shifted. This time, Green acknowledges change.
Before the Knicks’ series opener, Green offered praise for Towns while warning of the physical test awaiting him — especially with Detroit’s frontcourt tandem of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart ready to battle.
“They bring a level of physicality that’s tough,” Green said on The Draymond Green Show with co-host Baron Davis. “And Cade [Cunningham] is an incredible player. I think the Pistons can give the Knicks real problems in this series. This isn’t going to be a cakewalk. Stew and Jalen Duren, they’re going to rough Karl-Anthony Towns up. KAT’s got to bring his hard hat to this matchup.”
The physical exam: Detroit’s plan to push KAT to the limit
The matchup between Towns and Detroit’s bigs isn’t just a battle in the paint — it’s a full-on test of will. Green emphasized how Detroit’s physical identity could disrupt the Knicks’ offensive flow, especially if Towns struggles to stay composed.
Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden
Baron Davis didn’t hold back, suggesting the Pistons could go as far as trying to force Towns off the floor entirely. “They’re going to try to make him foul out,” Davis said.
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Green agreed, adding: “They’re going to take those fouls — and they’re going to try to make him quit. That’s their mentality: wear him down mentally and physically.”
Mentality under pressure: Can Towns handle the Heat?
It’s not just about bruises and box-outs. According to Green and Davis, the real battle lies in Towns’ mindset — and how he responds to pressure. The narrative surrounding Towns has long involved his struggle with foul trouble and visible frustration when the game gets physical. In the NBA postseason, a single moment — a questionable call, a hard screen, an emotional outburst — can swing an entire series. Detroit knows this. And they’re counting on it.
But this isn’t the same Towns from Minnesota. In New York, he’s shown growth: a calmer presence, fewer complaints to referees, more control in tense moments. The Knicks need that version of KAT — steady, resilient, and unbothered by provocation.
Because if Karl-Anthony Towns can weather the storm Detroit is planning to unleash, he’ll do more than help the Knicks advance. He might finally silence the critics who questioned his toughness — Draymond Green included.
