Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns, often referred to as “KAT,” recently shared his dislike for the moniker on Paul George’s podcast, ‘Podcast P with Paul George.’ While discussing Nikola Jokic nickname, “The Joker,” Towns expressed his admiration for the Serbian center’s nickname before ranting about his own.
“That’s such a good name. Crazy though, cause I got KAT. Y’all n****s think that’s funny. F**k all y’all,” Towns said.
When George asked when he acquired the nickname, Towns humorously responded, “It was on November 15th, 1995 at 8:30 pm at John F. Kennedy Hospital. My sister walked in that motherf***er and said ‘Karl-Anthony Towns,’ she didn’t realize that would follow me for a long f***ing time.”
— James Burnes (@JamesBurnes8) May 8, 2023
He explained that the nickname came from his time playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, and he was called “Big Purr” upon joining the Minnesota Timberwolves, a nickname that he seemingly dislikes even more.
Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ dominant center, has been known as The Joker for a few years now. Despite what many people think, his nickname has nothing to do with the DC Comics anti-villain. Instead, it’s a play on words and was given to him by his former teammate, Mike Miller. Jokic has won two MVP awards and is in contention for his third straight in the 2022-23 season.
Despite his dislike for his nickname, it seems that KAT will be stuck with it for the foreseeable future. He had a decent season, playing only 29 games due to injury, averaging 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists for the 2022-23 campaign. It was also the first season where the three-time All-Star played the power forward position after the Wolves acquired Rudy Gobert in the 2022 off-season.
Towns’ disapproval of his nickname may come as a surprise to some fans, as it has become a recognizable moniker in the NBA community. However, it’s not uncommon for players to have mixed feelings about their nicknames, with some embracing them while others try to distance themselves from them.
Regardless of his feelings towards his nickname, there’s no denying that Towns is a talented player and an essential part of the Timberwolves’ roster. As he continues to develop and improve his game, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see what he can achieve under the nickname he dislikes but will likely continue to carry throughout his career.
Nikola Jokic Joins Exclusive Club of 50-Point Scorers in NBA Playoffs, But Nuggets Fall to Suns
Nikola Jokic who has been nicknamed, “The Joker,” is derived from his last name, which shares three letters with it, making it an easier alternative for fans to pronounce. Jokic recently scored an impressive 53 points in a playoff game against the Phoenix Suns, becoming only the 32nd player in NBA history to do so.
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However, despite his outstanding performance, the Nuggets still suffered a loss as Kevin Durant and Devin Booker of the Suns both put up 36 points each to secure the victory and tie the series.
Scoring over 50 points in a playoff game is a rare feat, achieved only 48 times in NBA history. It is also worth noting that winning a game after such a high-scoring performance is typically common, making Nikola Jokic’s performance all the more impressive.
The first recorded instance of someone scoring 50 points in a losing cause was back in 1970 when Billy Cunningham of the Philadelphia 76ers put up 50 points in a losing effort against the Milwaukee Bucks. While Jokic’s nickname may be easier to pronounce than his last name, his talent on the court is undeniable.
