After feeling like he ‘let his teammates down' during their loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves budding superstar center Karl-Anthony Towns has become a man on a mission. The former Rookie of the Year finished with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and a season-high five blocks a couple of nights later in a dominant win over the Sacramento Kings.

Although he is undoubtedly one of the more promising young big men in the league, Towns has never been exactly known for his shot-blocking prowess. However, that has now changed due to a number of areas in which he improved on the defensive end, according to Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune:

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“I'm doing a better job of understanding everyone's traits, understanding what they like to do,” Towns said. “If they like to use their left hand more than their right. I've always played off instinct. Recently I've done a good job of being more vertical. Against the Kings I did a better job of help-side blocking.”

Towns' physical gifts as a potential rim protector have never been questioned. However, it seems the “Big KAT” is finally starting to understand the nuances of each player.

He has now registered nine blocks over the last three games while also adding seven steals during that span. That said, Towns could be poised to secure his spot amongst the league's elite defenders.