Karl-Anthony Towns can’t have more games like this unacceptable Knicks dud

Let’s put this as generously as we can, OK? This is the quickest way to end a honeymoon.

New York genuinely took to Karl-Anthony Towns last year, and it was a legit affinity.

Towns was earnest. He played hard. He played hurt. He averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds. He was third-team all-NBA.

He was defensively challenged: yes. He has never exactly been the smoothest-looking player when he plays close to the basket: no doubt. But New York could live with that. He was an essential part of a core group the city fell hard for.