Putting Karl-Anthony Towns' rookie PER into historic context

[WillC]

I know not everyone is a fan of PER and I realise it isn't perfect. But these facts are still remarkable.

Karl-Anthony Towns currently has a PER of 22.7. He is just 20 years old. Here are some facts to put that into some historical context.

Best all-time PER by rookies ages 20 or younger:

1st - Shaquille O'Neal 22.9
2nd - Karl-Anthony Towns 22.7
3rd - Chris Paul 22.1
4th - Anthony Davis 21.7
5th - Chris Webber 21.7

Karl-Anthony Towns' rookie PER is higher than that of Tim Duncan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Larry Bird and LeBron James.

Towns' PER is the highest for a rookie in the last 23 years, i.e. since Shaquille O'Neal in 1992-93.

[ralph_i_el]

Bretty good

Seriously though, his efficiency has been insane. Didn't expect him to shoot so well from midrange. Probably the best footwork I've ever seen from someone his age.

[Done_And_Done]

KAT has been unbelievable this year. I think we all expected him to be good, but he has far exceeded my pre-season expectations. If he continues to trend in this direction, we'll be looking at a lock for the hall upon retirement.

[Kawhi]

Karl Towns: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks (~24-58)
Shaquille O'Neal: 23 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks (41-41)
Chris Paul: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals (38-44)
Chris Webber: 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks (50-32)
Magic Johnson: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals (60-22)
LeBron James: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals (35-47)
Tim Duncan: 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks (56-26)
Larry Bird: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals (61-21)
Lew Alcindor: 29 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists (56-26)

[Edgar Friendly]

Karl Towns: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks (~24-58)
Shaquille O'Neal: 23 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks (41-41)
Chris Paul: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals (38-44)
Chris Webber: 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks (50-32)
Magic Johnson: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals (60-22)
LeBron James: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals (35-47)
Tim Duncan: 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks (56-26)
Larry Bird: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals (61-21)
Lew Alcindor: 29 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists (56-26)

If that's the case then PER is worthless. KAT is clearly tied for last on this list with CP3.

[Overdrive]

Too bad he wasn't drafted next to a coming back David Robinson with a overall good cast of players to a smart coach. :(

[yobore]

If that's the case then PER is worthless. KAT is clearly tied for last on this list with CP3.
Maybe it's those other stats that aren't as valuable as you think or the ones not listed (turnovers, pace) that are more valuable than you think. CP's rookie year the Hornets had a +20 win difference without any other significant transactions.

[ralph_i_el]

If that's the case then PER is worthless. KAT is clearly tied for last on this list with CP3.

That list doesn't account for efficiency or turnovers. He also has only averaged 30 mpg. PER is a per-minute stat. Towns and Shaq have nearly the exact same TS% as 20 year olds, and Shaq didn't shoot jumpers.

[Edgar Friendly]

Maybe it's those other stats that aren't as valuable as you think or the ones not listed (turnovers, pace) that are more valuable than you think. CP's rookie year the Hornets had a +20 win difference without any other significant transactions.

In other words...worthless

[Im Still Ballin]

Age wise Lebron had a PER of 25.7 at the same age as KAT, while also playing 42.4 minutes a game averaging 27/7/7 with 2.2 steals

Time will tell if KATs season at 21 will be as spectacular as Lebron's (31.4/7/7 and a PER of 28.1)

[La Frescobaldi]

I know not everyone is a fan of PER and I realise it isn't perfect. But these facts are still remarkable.

Karl-Anthony Towns currently has a PER of 22.7. He is just 20 years old. Here are some facts to put that into some historical context.

Best all-time PER by rookies ages 20 or younger:

1st - Shaquille O'Neal 22.9
2nd - Karl-Anthony Towns 22.7
3rd - Chris Paul 22.1
4th - Anthony Davis 21.7
5th - Chris Webber 21.7

Karl-Anthony Towns' rookie PER is higher than that of Tim Duncan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Larry Bird and LeBron James.

Towns' PER is the highest for a rookie in the last 23 years, i.e. since Shaquille O'Neal in 1992-93.

that's pretty wild man will have to watch more

[Stout]

Very impressive :applause:

He'll be an all-star by 2018, if not next year.

[StephHamann]

According to PER Brandan Wright was a top 10 player in the league for a few years.

That shit stat is as worthless as Hollinger as Memphis manager.

[OG LeeTSkeeT]

if only Okafor was the consensus #1.

[ShawkFactory]

According to PER Brandan Wright was a top 10 player in the league for a few years.

That shit stat is as worthless as Hollinger as Memphis manager.
It's not a completely worthless stat.

Using it as your main argument or as the end-all-be-all...yea maybe so.

But with the right context and in certain scenarios it does tell you things. Obviously you can use it with an enormous grain of salt for a guy who played 18 mpg (Wright).

[waseem780]

He just had 30/15 against the Pelicans in a win , beast.

[WillC]

Over the last 17 games, Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 22.3ppg, 12.2rpg, 2.5apg, 2.0bpg on .578 FG% and .808 FT%

[feyki]

Davis-Towns rivalry could be amazing .

[Shih508]

PER makes a player looks better than he really is sometimes. Minutes played and team wins are also two other very important factors when you look at a player's PER.

If you take those two into consideration you can easily see that Shaq was way better than KAT by big margin unlike what PER indicates