How underwhelming. This is the life of a Charlotte fan
powellrmp
We’ll see. I’m not mad at it.
TheDorkLord
At least I get to say nipple a lot
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Eastley
Does little bro have a ring on from a Cracker Jack box?
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Mich_Mercer
At least we have a ball and a nipple?
TheDorkLord
now we need to trade for another ball lol
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Mich_Mercer
Let’s go get Dick too.
This was such a deflating pick for me… so many options and…… :(
Icky_Thump
All love fellas. It really has been a journey of hope and crushed dreams
<3
cltblkhscoach
You know, like you said Mich, so many options to do something transformational
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Eastley
There's little doubt that Ace might be incredible, but I am not sure that could happen with us. Could he become that with an org with more institutional girding? Yes. But we're not it
cltblkhscoach
Same old boring ass stupid shit
Eastley
and… thankfully, we did not pick Maluach
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ncborn
Yeah that would have been worse
dnbman
So, feelings aside, what do we project from him? Outside shooting glue guy at SG?
GoBobcats24
Guys it's a good pick! We could have gotten Kon at 10 but its a good pick! Lol
We drafted a role player in a draft with multiple superstars
TheDorkLord
if we took him I wanted him at 6 with a nice trade
Eastley
@dnbman do you have a sub to The Athletic? The write up on Kon by Sam is really in depth
dnbman
do not
GoBobcats24
And gifted Ace to the Jazz
Sam Vecenie is a hack so anything he says should be taken with a grain of salt
cltblkhscoach
Watch Utah make a damn trade with Ainge over there
it just feels like we took the most boring pick… and you're right Ace did not want to go to Utah
powellrmp
No ceilings does a great job with draft write ups
ncborn
The thing w Kon is that people think he can also play PG
GoBobcats24
He was among the bottom 5 in lane agility test at the combine
TheDorkLord
Kon for rookie of the year, it would be the most un hornet thing ever. Fantasy land, he comes on and is better than Flag… lol
Eastley
That was Givony's story from pre-season at Duke. He was there to get intel on Flagg and coach said to watch Kon, ended up lighting up everyone in the scrimmage, including Flagg
dnbman
What I have learned about draft prospects is that they ALL can play pg.
ncborn
Well I’m trying to make myself feel better
TheDorkLord
to make myself feel better, I just remember how he played when Flagg was injured
Eastley
Listen to the Hoop Collective pod with Givony from maybe yesterday, it has that vignette when they were talking about the top of the draft
dnbman
Did the FO watch TJ McConnell for that five minutes of the NBA finals and think "we gotta get one of those guys!"
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spectre
Well my opinion can only improve so I guess there’s that going for him
woodsy23
Suuuurely there’s a trade back there that still sees us land Kon
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TheDorkLord
next stop… summer league
Mich_Mercer
I’m hoping we get back in the first round somehow…. To help with my disappointment
GoBobcats24
Welp guys when Lamelo and Brandon want out at least we have Kon
Mich_Mercer
Dude… don’t say these things. Kon seems like a great fit on a good team… but not for us. Let’s just hope he turns into Luka on offense….
GoBobcats24
Sorry I am pissed
Eastley
Not from what most draft folks were projecting, they had Ace, Kon, and Tre all in that Tier 3. In a couple, VJ was lumped into Tier 2 with Dylan but thought most had him in Tier 3
GoBobcats24
All the rumors of trading back and we do that
ncborn
Anyway Kon can fit … here’s to looking to the 2nd round…maybe tomorrow will be special
GoBobcats24
Welp lets hope everyone 5th on back sucks
I just don't see an all star in our pick
And if you can't imagine your 4th pick being an all star in this type of draft, it kinda hurts
woodsy23
I’m sure he’ll be solid but his potential ceiling scares me
dnbman
I don't mind that he's and "elite shooter." I have always wanted one of those.
GoBobcats24
He is a good shooter
And more than that
So it isn't a whiff unless he loses his shot lol
QC_Thundercats
I mean, Kon is fine. He is a good player. But if you want glue, trade back. High picks are for star swings, not glue.
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Mich_Mercer
Hornets culture man…culture
cltblkhscoach
Tre Johnson will kill us for the next 4 years
Mich_Mercer
I would have been
Much happier with Trey Johnson… why didn’t we just take him.
GoBobcats24
Because we drafted fit instead of BPA
woodsy23
Fit?
GoBobcats24
It always works out well
TheDorkLord
AC/DC, great comment
Mich_Mercer
I’m deflated. Going to turn this off I think.
TheDorkLord
Bilas is so much better than some of these other guys on ESPN
Eastley
Knueppel is very highly regarded by NBA teams, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see him be selected in the top five. He projects to be valuable early with his ability to shoot, make decisions, process what’s happening around him spatially and play with the ball in his hands. I get that his game doesn’t look all that sexy, and in general he does not look like a top-five pick. But NBA teams are enamored with how well-rounded his game is. He does just about everything well and was a good defender this year at Duke despite his relatively slow feet. He’s strong through his chest and does a great job using angles to feed his man into where the help is if he needs it. Knueppel’s upside is something in the vein of Desmond Bane, whom the Memphis Grizzlies just traded for four first-round picks for all the reasons discussed above.
The Hornets have also had discussions moving both up and down the board here from No. 4, so don’t be surprised if they move this pick to either try to lock in the player they want or to continue to gather assets. If they are unable to get Edgecombe and decide that their guy is Knueppel, a trade down is something that multiple NBA sources have noted is a possibility, as there could be a couple of teams looking to jump Washington, Utah or Brooklyn to get Ace Bailey. If it’s not Knueppel and they stay at No. 4, my read is that the Hornets’ most likely option would be Johnson.
GoBobcats24
"In general he does not look like a top 5 pick" is always encouraging
We drafted a smaller, much less athletic thaddeus young?
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Chef
Desmond bane. Great.
GoBobcats24
Can you envision us getting 3 1sts for Kon in the future?
That is a 40% 3pt shooter*
Lol I think if he turns in to Desmond Bane we will be alright
Chef
9 2nds
GoBobcats24
But still I hope Bailey isn't Duranty
powellrmp
I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.
Chef
Tre may be really good. I get not drafting ace but I feel they missed a trade
GoBobcats24
I agree, trade back and take Kon later
That is generally what I am pissed about. Our last chance to get a star for the forseeable future barring luck with picks that aren't ours and we go safe
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QC_Thundercats
Right. Intel said Washington really wanted ace. We can’t have had Kon so much higher than Tre to not make that easy deal, then take whichever one is there
Eastley
Knueppel is an elite shooter with his touch and mechanics. Accurate from all over the court and from a variety of different situations and footworks. All the touch indicators are great. Hit 91.4 percent of his free throws to go with 40.6 percent of his 3s as a freshman. Hit 43.3 percent off the catch from 3. Made 43.2 percent of his midrange pull-ups.
That's a bullet from the Draft Guide - cannot copy from it as it's protected but thought that was food for thought on the shooting being a bit more than good.
QC_Thundercats
Anybody at the hornets draft party? If hugo
Hung his head after Miller, he must’ve jumped off the catwalk onto center court.
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cltblkhscoach
They had it at some restaurant because of the arena construction
Eastley
Wow on Demin going 8th
QC_Thundercats
Oh, right. How convenient.
dnbman
So the general consensus is that he'll be a good player for us (likely day 1 starter) but that we just didn't get the value we might have out of the 4th pick?
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cltblkhscoach
The only thing I can think of is if they knew Kon and Tre would be gone before 8 they didn't want to risk it
Eastley
I think that's exactly it. And if a lot of these draft guys are right, a lot of scouts saw Kon, Tre, Ace, and VJ as pick-em, then you don't have leverage until all of those guys minus one are picked
cltblkhscoach
Which I mean, I can understand, but still…
dnbman
Go Cocks!
cltblkhscoach
TRADE!
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Eastley
I love him, truly do. Wish him all the best in the world. Just not a fit on our roster
Probably pretty realistic we swap a few spots for one of those Brooklyn picks.
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TheDorkLord
I'm going to be right, we are going to end up with another French guy
Eastley
Ah, but which one?
TheDorkLord
that is the question
Eastley
It is A question :)
I feel better that Queen is going to NOP instead of ATL. He seems like the kind of player that would nuke us every single game even when they had half their roster out with the Hornets flu
high teens was where I saw him projected so good on that
powellrmp
Thank you everyone
dnbman
I forgot why I was even here.
Eastley
Is BKN really going to pick all 5 of their FRPs?
ooooh DorkLord, you dodged another
TheDorkLord
woohoo
Eastley
Just got to get by Penda and you are clear, right?
TheDorkLord
yep, I was just thinking about all those Brooklyn picks in front of us
powellrmp
That would be dope of Brooklyn just used them lol
Man if Nique or Fleming are there at 22, I will be pounding the table for the hornets to move up somehow
TheDorkLord
2 down, 1 to go for the Frenchies
dnbman
Why is draft board still showing Atlanta at 22? Is it one of those situations where the pick has to made before conveyed?
Eastley
yes
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powellrmp
It’s not like the nets are trying to be good right now
Eastley
I know the Yang ascent in the draft was amazing but just thinking about how far Demin has moved up since just two months ago when he was in the mid 20s
Heat always pick dudes I want us to pick so here goes Flemming
dnbman
Wonder if OKC's 24 pick is up for sale
powellrmp
It would have to be
Eastley
Does Pat Reiley sleep in a suit and tie?
powellrmp
They don’t have any roster spots
TheDorkLord
we could give them Mici lol
powellrmp
Actually, that would be pretty cool if the Nets stepped away with 4 rookies from this first round. I love this draft. Would be fun to roll with. If you’re going to be bad, at least go for it
I bet Miami takes Clifford
I’m positive
Eastley
nah, they like to hurt me specifically
they'll pick Flemming
powellrmp
Yeah, that’s what I meant
TheDorkLord
how does Perkins get paid to do this?
powellrmp
Oh good, on espn we get Perkins amazing insights
Eastley
Oh cool, I get to hate him in the pros too
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powellrmp
TheDorkLord
fucking Heat
powellrmp
Which is somehow better than Stephen a smith
Fuck a duck
TheDorkLord
yes, that is just how bad SAS is
Eastley
All my concentrated hate can fixate on Jacu and the Heat now muhahahahahaha
powellrmp
“People don’t forget!!” Fuck you Jacu!
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GoBobcats24
Heat always get amazing picks in the 20s
Eastley
Ok Hornets, consolidate and rise please
TheDorkLord
Drake Powell, you are going to be a Charlotte Hornet
powellrmp
Good last name that kid has
He’s my cousin
He just texted me 15 minutes ago
Both of those statements are lies.
Or are they?
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Chef
Heat get dragic redux
powellrmp
Will Maluach, Riley and CMB are my draft bust picks
Eastley
wait DorkLord, is Raynaud also on your hate list or does his Stanford creds give him a pass?
powellrmp
Guys i posted a few hours before the draft that i bet the hornets do nothing exciting with picks 33 34. Either use them or kick the can down the road and offload them for “cash considerations” or future 2nds.
GoBobcats24
We do this and I will already be done with this FO
TheDorkLord
Raynaud, not really on the list
what about Kalkbrenner though?
powellrmp
I watched him play in person in chapel hill back in December or January
I left the game extremely confused as to why he was getting zero draft buzz other than an occasional late second rounder
Eastley
I thought Raynaud was really good when I watched him in ACC play
powellrmp
The super low stock on raynaud was bizarre to me
Eastley
wow, that's an overreach
TheDorkLord
oooo… yep
powellrmp
Nah
GoBobcats24
Powell had an incredible combine
TheDorkLord
he could surprise though, with defense
powellrmp
That’s a fine pick
Powell wasn’t going to slip beyond 25/26
TheDorkLord
I was hoping if he slipped we would get him
Eastley
hey, I like it, leaves more guys I like on the block
powellrmp
I watched every single unc game. I mean, most of them. Some in person. Trust me, powell has a much higher ceiling and skill range than people think
What’s the difference between powell and carter Bryant? One inch in height and 15-20 pounds. Drake can put on muscle easily. Drake was a better shooter than carter Bryant was
Equally good, if not better defender
Powell is a steal in the late first
Not sure about asa Newell either
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Eastley
At this point, I want us to consolidate one of the 30s with the 29 if only to reduce our draftees from tonight/tomorrow
powellrmp
Please don’t take Nique from me. We could’ve traded for this!!!
GoBobcats24
I mean there is no way we draft 4 players
powellrmp
ARGHHHHHHH
GoBobcats24
And turning 34 in 45 next year doesn't sound great
powellrmp
mother fucker
Eastley
So he's going to Sac?
cltblkhscoach
Yep
ChickenCoop
looks like it
Orlando could use some extra picks
powellrmp
I had Nique Clifford at 13 on my big board
It’s a fucking travesty he went this late. He’s going to make everyone pay.
TheDorkLord
maybe the Hornets just use ChatGPT to make their picks
QC_Thundercats
I think we’re taking whichever center falls to us
Eastley
If Fleming is on the board and we're picking and we don't, I am joining the revolution
QC_Thundercats
Raynaud will be picked one before us
powellrmp
Nique is 23, has make progress every year, shoots threes at 38%, is a good defender, can pass, average 9.6 rebounds per game. He’s ready to be plugged into a team
Eastley
just kidding, I don't know much of shit
powellrmp
And is 6’6
Eastley
ORL really has a type in this picking former all star players' kids
powellrmp
Dear Jesus, please give us Fleming
tnhornetsfan
We're selling 33 and 34 for cash tomorrow aren't we
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cltblkhscoach
We got to pay for these stadium upgrades!
powellrmp
I TOLD YALL
Eastley
With BKN picking 7 times in a row ahead of us, they'll clean out everyone we'd want
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GoBobcats24
Another to keep an eye on is Ben Seraf
Been rumored to jump to late 20s
Eastley
It's getting to that point in the draft for some guys:
powellrmp
Oh yeah, I left Jace out. Maluach, CMB, Riley, Jace Richardson, Fears are on my mind as good bust candidates
Such an interesting reaction. Nearly every draft “analyst” or “pundit” is universally praising the selection of Kon, or at least saying at an absolute minimum it’s a very solid and good pick. And a lot of the guys I trust who cover our team (the Buzz Beat guys namely) were all in consensus that Kon was the best choice for us and how we badly needed a player like this.
But just casual fans on here and RGM are acting like it’s doomsday. I’m not saying one school of thought is “right” and the other is “wrong,” it’s just been interesting to watch unfold. Watching Kon and the energy he plays with was intoxicating for me last year so I’m pumped, but I understand the concerns about athletic limitations.
Are we just so burnt? PTSD from Frank/Cody/Morrison? It’s difficult to say but I’ve wanted a player like this for so long. I don’t think it’s the same at all.
I think it is the majority of the day to day fans knowing that Charlotte doesn’t have a real core. Whether that is because of constant injury or, for me and some, that melo isn’t the guy. Either way, the perception is that Charlotte selected a glue guy or at his ceiling a 3rd banana with the #4 overall pick. When this franchise sorely needs a true star. Someone with melo’s skillet and kemba or crash’s demeanor and professionalism.
Real fans like us know that in addition to Zeller/Kaminsky/Morrison we also drafted players with the tremendous physical tools who failed in Charlotte:
Noah Vonleh
MKG
Malik Monk(a little short but could jump out of the gym)
Bismack Biyombo(character guy but little else)
Salaun for now but hopefully he’ll turn it around
We can’t get caught up in trying to avoid supposed past trends. Just because Alexis Ajinca was a failure it doesn’t mean you avoid drafting a Rudy Gobert. Every player deserves to be treated like an individual.
Kon is kind of unique. He doesn’t have length and burst, but he does have energy and abnormal physicality at his position.
I’m very happy with the first round. I’d give us an A- for the evening. Liam was an absolute steal at 29. We’re going to really like him. He’s a much better shooter and player than his college season.
Kon is the shooter and connector we need between Melo and miller. Not a great defender, but a quality one. Cody Martin-esque level of defense. High motor.
Will be writing a nice article on the hornets draft. I had a day and a 10 hour drive to stew on all of it. Will try to hammer it out tomorrow or Sunday
Welp!!! If this is true then the new ownership go butt romped by a savy business veteran. It all adds up and apparently Schnall’s homer desperation was blood in the water that attracted a shark. Hopefully we will learn from this to stop other predators from looking at us candy @ss punk prey during future drafts.
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