Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns is unmistakably New York

It was like a wrestling promo was interrupted.

On Friday night, after New York's 116-94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Knicks star Jalen Brunson stood with his back to his locker and a crowd of reporters in his face. The security guard was talking about everything New York had done right when, between answers, music suddenly began to sound from the door – a song by the late MF Doom, a British-American underground rapper who grew up in New York. The reporters, of course, turned and in walked Karl-Anthony Towns, the four-time All-Star big man who was traded to the Knicks last month.

Towns' phone blasted a series of New York rap classics, like the late Black Rob's “Whoa,” and then he had a side conversation about Yonkers native Jadakiss, a Towns favorite who was there in the Knicks' win.

Towns hails from nearby Edison, New Jersey, less than an hour's drive from Manhattan on busy days, and since he returned to the city on the biggest stage of his profession, everything about him is unmistakably New York. He has loudly embraced the city and his roots — from the music he shares publicly to his wardrobe, which often includes vintage Moderne or vintage Knicks clothing, to his Dominican heritage and his passion for the Yankees. After Knicks games, whether at home or on the road, Towns would sit in the locker room, glued to a television, watching New York's most famous baseball team in the World Series.

Playing so close to home has a special appeal.

“My mom’s family…the Dominicans are very excited,” said Towns, who is half Dominican. “My father, my mother, who immigrated here from the Dominican Republic, Madison Square Garden was the Mecca for them. And for our family it has always been Mecca. Being able to play in a place that was so adored by her. Obviously it triggers a different emotion.”

Since he arrived, the New York nicknames “The Big Bodega” and “Bodega KAT” have been thrown around as possible alternative nicknames to his signature “KAT,” and he's okay with both. “I’ll let the people decide,” Towns said.

“I don't think he really likes being called 'meow,'” Knicks swingman Josh Hart said when asked if he had learned anything about Towns in the last month. “I learned that. I haven’t called him that in a while.”

Towns honors his roots off the floor, and that in turn allows him to embrace them on the court, too. After many buckets there is both emotion and sensationalism. There's nothing more New York than that. He tries to attack opponents. Hard. And he succeeded a few times. He's one of the league's best rebounders early in the season and, according to NBA.com, no player has been better at grabbing rebounds in traffic. No one should question his toughness.

Many players would come into a new situation and be hesitant to start. Many players joining an already successful team would try to adapt in order to fit in. But Towns came to New York and excelled. He was one of the best offensive players in basketball, averaging 24.3 points on 53/56/90 shooting. He is still one of the best big men to ever shoot basketball.

Cities in New York were, well, cities.

“The guys in that locker room welcomed me with open arms and made me feel comfortable,” Towns said. “They want me to play my game. Of course there will be times when we have to find the cohesion because we're not used to playing with each other yet, but I think, you know, we're getting better every day and we're working on ourselves day by day yourself and as a team.

“My teammates were a key part of the transition and the coaching staff did a great job, but it's the guys in that locker room with the jerseys that made it (my game) very easy to implement.”

One of those teammates is Brunson, whom Towns always refers to as “Cap,” which is short for “Captain.” The two are in the early stages of a partnership that, given more time, should produce one of the deadliest pick-and-roll/pop combinations in basketball. The two are still searching for consistency, the perfect balance, the opportunity to do what makes them special while at the same time joining forces and creating something unstoppable. That will come with time.

“We can do a lot better,” Brunson said.

When he moved to the Knicks, Towns was reunited with his old coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached the big man in Minnesota and helped him reach heights he had not previously reached as a player. The rockiness of their relationship at the time is well-documented, but when the opportunity to join forces arose just before the start of the regular season, both men were eager to give it another try. After all, both are desperate to win, and Towns was aware that it was under Thibodeau's supervision that he achieved his first successes as a professional, both individually and as a team. Thibodeau is now aware of the special dynamism that Towns can bring to a basketball team offensively.

Thibodeau has a track record of maximizing his centers. Isaiah Hartenstein secured a hefty contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer based on his performance under Thibodeau in New York last season. Thibodeau also helped turn Mitchell Robinson into one of the most feared rim protectors in basketball. Thibodeau's success with big men can be traced back to Taj Gibson in Chicago.

In the second game against Thibodeau, Towns could very well have the best season of his career. Offensively, the coach has put Towns in a position to get downhill, be a hub at the top of the key and put him in a position to fire off his deadly 3-point shot with even more regularity. The Knicks are a better team when Towns shoots more. Heading into this weekend, New York is 3-1 in games where Towns shoots at least five 3s in a game.

“We are fourth in offensive rating, top five in field goal percentage, first in 3-point percentage and free throw percentage, but we need more,” Thibodeau said. “We need to turn up the volume.”

Towns can do that, and he did it with every passing play.

The 28-year-old big man has adjusted well to life in New York, although it took a while for the personal whirlwind to leave Minnesota, the only place he called home growing up, just before training camp , subsided if he is still looking for a physical home.

In New York, Towns embraces who he is, both as a player and a person, and what is important to him. Part of that embrace is acknowledging the people around him while carrying what makes him special. This is New York, after all, where everyone feels like an individual, but things can't get done without everyone working together.

The Knicks will be better because of the way Towns approaches this opportunity. It will simply take time, as all great things do.

(Top photo: Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)