Karl-Anthony Towns understands the immense pressure he is under for the New York Knicks

Before the 2025-26 season even started, the New York Knicks were under pressure to be successful. The Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers were the preseason favorites, and while they have recovered, they were underwhelming in the first few months of the season.

The Detroit Pistons are far and away the best team in the Eastern Conference, but the Knicks could be much better in the Playoffs. The Knicks definitely have a talented group of players, but Karl-Anthony Towns usually gets the brunt of the criticism because he does have some underwhelming nights.

Towns knows he must step up amid the pressure

Towns is one of the most interesting big men in the league. He is definitely a talented player, as evidenced by his offensive impact as a post player or a perimeter shooter. He can even pass the rock well as a playmaker. However, people dislike how he is passive at times.

The defensive woes are likely the biggest issue people have with Towns. However, some offensive struggles have led to him being criticized at all fronts, including some from Inside the NBA's Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley.

MORE: Blake Griffin gets honest about the Knicks' defensive woes with Karl-Anthony Towns

Since a lot of people consider him a top-tier big man, he is playing under pressure. That mounts even more when considering that he plays for the Knicks. Thankfully for the fans, Towns understands the pressure he is playing under, and he acknowledges that he must step up to help his team win.

"When we get in those spots in the Playoffs, we could find ourselves winning the game, and for me, personally, just my career has been full of pressure, and I've always been held to a higher standard than everyone. I understand that criticism comes with that, and when you're not succeeding, and rightfully so," Towns said after his standout night against the Bulls.

"My career has been based on me trying to get that ring and winning. I understand more than ever now in my career that winning trumps everything."

It is good that Towns is acknowledging the criticism he has been given. He knows that they are valid because he understands that he is not playing the way he, the coaches, and the fans want to. Moving forward, this should be a good wake-up call for Towns because he is ready to keep contributing.

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• 'I’ve changed my mind': Charles Barkley abandons Knicks, names new Eastern Conference favorite
• Charles Barkley gets brutally honest about Karl-Anthony Towns' ceiling as a big man
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