Knicks Legend Praises Karl-Anthony Towns' Underrated Passing Ability

Allan Houston credits Towns' facilitating skills for making the New York offense work so well.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:08am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Knicks basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of orange, blue, and white, capturing the team's multifaceted offensive approach.A cubist interpretation of the Knicks' dynamic offense, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson's complementary skills deconstructed into a vibrant, geometric display.Indianapolis Today

Knicks legend Allan Houston praised Karl-Anthony Towns' underrated passing ability, saying it's what enables the team's offense to function effectively. Houston also highlighted Jalen Brunson's impact, noting his scoring and playmaking off the ball. The Knicks are headed to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed for the second consecutive year, looking to redeem themselves after last year's Eastern Conference Finals appearance.

Why it matters

Towns' versatile skillset as a big man who can facilitate the offense is a key reason for the Knicks' recent success. His ability to keep the ball moving and create opportunities for his teammates is an underrated aspect of his game that has helped the team reach new heights.

The details

Allan Houston, a former Knicks star, emphasized how Towns' passing ability, rather than just his scoring, is what makes the Knicks' offense function so effectively. Houston praised Towns' facilitating skills, noting that he is an 'underrated passer' who can 'keep the ball moving.' Houston also highlighted Jalen Brunson's impact, saying he is 'extremely effective off the ball, making plays, cutting,' which complements Towns' playmaking.

  • The Knicks are headed to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed for the second consecutive year.

The players

Karl-Anthony Towns

An NBA player who has played for the New York Knicks for the past couple of seasons, primarily as the team's starting center. He has been a key contributor to the Knicks' recent success, with his versatile skillset and underrated passing ability.

Jalen Brunson

An NBA player who joined the New York Knicks in the 2022-23 season and has helped reshape the team's status in the Eastern Conference with his scoring and playmaking abilities, both on and off the ball.

Allan Houston

A former NBA player who played for the New York Knicks and is considered a Knicks legend. He has provided analysis and praise for the current Knicks team, particularly highlighting the contributions of Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson.

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What they’re saying

“Karl has been an underrated passer throughout his career. That's what makes the offense work. People are always going to say, 'He needs to get down, he needs to do this.' But you forget what a facilitator he is, that he can keep the ball moving.”

— Allan Houston, Knicks Legend

“I think obviously Jalen, he can score with the ball, but he's extremely effective off the ball, making plays, cutting. I think the things that you see that are dominant override the things that you don't see, which they're really good at. That's what I've learned to watch and appreciate.”

— Allan Houston, Knicks Legend

What’s next

The Knicks will be looking to redeem themselves in the playoffs this year, as they face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.

The takeaway

The Knicks' success in recent seasons has been fueled by the versatile skillsets of players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson. Towns' underrated passing ability and Brunson's scoring and playmaking off the ball have been crucial in making the Knicks' offense function at a high level, showcasing the team's depth and well-rounded approach.