Karl-Anthony Towns, Austin Reaves, and the Challenge of Being the 2nd Best Player

Karl-Anthony Towns is having a moment. After years of being seen in some circles as not quite good enough to be a critical piece on a winning team, KAT has had an incredible postseason, as the Knicks continue a pretty historic run of playoff dominance. It's not that he's never been good in the postseason before (he has) but he's never been THIS good. And who knows, may never be this good again. And it puts things in perspective, showing not only the bar you often need your 2nd guy to clear -- Jalen Brunson has scored 25 points a game in the Finals but with horrible efficiency -- but how often players in this role (see Holmgren, Chet) can fail to come through. Or even your number one, given Wemby's struggles. So does the whole postseason put Austin Reaves in a different framing? Does he seem as disappointing, given what appears to be some pretty good company on the continuum of guys who didn't achieve all the way to expectations? And what does all of this say about roster building more broadly? Because part of KAT's success, and the success of the Knicks more broadly, is that the first five guys on that roster are all really good NBA players. They counterbalance strengths and weaknesses, and have very little true one-dimensional skill sets as a group. Stuff for Rob Pelinka and crew to consider this summer and for a few summers to come. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Ignite your taste buds with the flavor of the summer. Get a Firework Freeze 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today. For more information, visit https://FiveHourEnergy.com. Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. Reddit Reddit is where the real fans hang out. Download the Reddit app and dive into your favorite team for hot takes, fresh memes, and the group chat that never sleeps. KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything. DoorDash From tipoff to overtime, stay in your bag and order on DoorDash.Get snacks, drinks, gear — whatever gets you through the season — delivered right to your door.DoorDash. In your bag all season long. HIMS To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.comLOCKEDONMLB Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)