Rip City Project
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Northwest Division: Top Five Players

By Perry Waggoner

Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) backs up to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward James Ennis (4) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) backs up to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward James Ennis (4) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

#3: Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves)

Career Stats: 18.5 PPG/10.5 RPG/1.7 BPG

It’s scary to think that Towns has already made the list at only 20 years old. Correction: it’s absolutely frightening to already find Towns in the top three of this list. In just one NBA season – he’s proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Towns has the potential to get a double-double each and every night. Only Andre Drummond and Russell Westbrook had more double-doubles last season. Known more for his defense at Kentucky, Towns expanded his game immensely with Minnesota. As a Wildcat, he only averaged 10 PPG. During his rookie campaign, he watched those numbers basically double. Is the SEC harder to play in than the NBA? No. Towns is just that good.

Much like Hayward, Towns will have to prove himself in the playoffs to leap over the last two players in these rankings. With the help of Andrew Wiggins, Zach Lavine, and Kris Dunn; that should happen sooner than later.

Next: Number Two: Damian Lillard