5 reasons why Karl Anthony-Towns is Knicks superstar and not Jalen Brunson

Over the past couple of years, the New York Knicks have turned to Jalen Brunson when they've needed a bucket, or a dime, or any sort of play or momentum.

Brunson has been great in that role. But, to be fair, this is a team sport, and the wear and tear of the countless touches has sometimes affected this team's ability to compete.

Now, with Karl-Anthony Towns, Brunson has an elite sidekick to lean on when needing a timely bucket. And given how he's played, one could even make a case for him being the best player on the team.

Maybe that's a bit of a hot take, but here, we'll try to dissect why the former No. 1 pick is the Knicks' true superstar, not Jalen Brunson.

Five reasons why Karl-Anthony Towns is the Knicks' best player

#5 He's forcing Tom Thibodeau to adapt

Tom Thibodeau's teams usually feature a traditional rim protector. This isn't the first time he's coached Towns, but having him out there has forced him to change his plans for the Knicks.

Because they don't have a bruising big man and Mitchell Robinson is on the shelf, Thibodeau had no choice but to adapt to a more modern, fast-paced style of play.

#4 Floor spacing

As such, the Knicks' offense has gotten significantly less stagnant. Towns is a much more talented and complete offensive player than Julius Randle, not to mention a much better 3-point shooter.

Whether knocking down shots, setting screens or creating for others, Towns has helped the Knicks hold the third-highest 3-point shooting percentage in the league (38.8%) while shooting almost 44%.

He once called himself the greatest 3-point-shooting big man in NBA history, and while that's a bit of a hot take, he's most definitely living up to that distinction right now.

#3 Efficiency

Efficiency has always been tied to big men, for they usually play close to the basket. Towns isn't a traditional big, yet he's the team's most efficient scorer by a significant margin.

He shoots 55% from the floor, 43.8% from three, 59.9% from inside the restricted area and 83.3% from the line. He has an effective field goal percentage of 61.7% and a true shooting percentage of 66.2%.

#2 He's a glass-cleaning machine

Towns had taken a step back on the boards as he started sharing the court with Rudy Gobert. Now, he's back to his old dominant ways, averaging 13.5 rebounds per contest.

He's given the team several second-chance opportunities, averaging 2.9 rpg. While not a good defender, he's been more physical in gaining and maintaining position in the glass.

#1 He knows his role

Last but not least, Towns is a player who knows and embraces his role on the team. Unlike Brunson, he doesn't try to force shots or do too much when there isn't anything out there.

He's comfortable taking a step back if that's what it takes, but he can take matters into his own hands. It's hard to get a star to buy in, and he's done so.

The Knicks will likely continue to turn to Jalen Brunson when needing a bucket. But for the first time since he joined the team, he has someone to trust down the stretch to hit a shot if he's not open.