As the Lakers were closing in on the Timberwolves during the second half Wednesday night, Karl-Anthony Towns said guard Patrick Beverley came over to him and laid out the reason why Los Angeles had cut a 25-point lead to single digits.
"He looked me dead in the eyes and said, 'It's your fault,' " Towns said. "I said, 'My fault?' "
That's because Towns missed most of the third quarter in foul trouble, and without him on the court, the Lakers came back. Towns didn't take it personally. Instead, he took it to heart.
"That goes back to the relationship we have," Towns said. "Every time I know we speak it comes out of a place of love and a place of good intentions, so I just respond."
Once Towns returned to the court, the Wolves put the game back in hand and won by 20.
Beverley has been one of the most important voices on the team, and isn't afraid to tell players his unvarnished thoughts. He thought with Towns that was going to take some work. Instead, the two say they have developed a great bond.
"I thought my biggest task when I came here was going to be KAT and it's not," Beverley said. "It's been great. Man, of course you hear all those stories about different players before you meet them. Guys, they tell me this, they tell me that about KAT and just seeing him up personal, it's totally the opposite of everything I've heard."
Beverley said part of his job in getting the most out of Towns is to continue to tell him how dominant he can be. That can result in nights like Monday, when Towns scored 60 points against San Antonio.
