The COVID-19 pandemic is changed the way of life around the globe, and with the U.S. death toll nearing 300,000 you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know someone who has tragically succumbed to the disease.

Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns has seen his family impacted especially hard. In April, KAT lost his mom to COVID-19 and the recent death of uncle brought the number deceased in his family to seven.

So it’s not a shock that as the NBA season gets set to begin with preseason games underway, KAT isn’t quite right. In fact, speaking on The Jump with Rachel Nichols and Amin Elhassan, Paul Pierce said it goes to show one thing we should’ve realized about pro athletes all along.

“It lets the fans know and people know that we’re human. We’re not immune to the problems and the pressure that goes on in every day life. Yes, he has money. Yes, he has resources. It didn’t matter. We’re not immune to these problems that happen in people’s every day lives,” Paul said. “I just hope people understand that as he goes through the hardship of this season and understanding if he doesn’t perform at the same level he’s done in the past.”