One dookie leaves, another dookie takes his place. Maybe this is the one that hits, finally, like Hendo’s elbow to Hansbrough’s nose.
So we get the best shooter in the draft. Looked really good in the pick and roll game. Always plays hard, dives on the floor. Strong, good decision maker.
Also slow. Probably runs a 5.1 40 yard dash. And I don’t think I saw him dunk a single time. But hey, if Ty Jerome and Kyle Anderson are able to operate against elite athletes with success, then Kon probably kan too.
I think he will be a good connector for Melo and Miller. I think this is key:
he’s a clever, decisive passer, who leverages the threat of his shooting to unlock his passing game…**…Thanks to his shooting gravity and ability to read defenders, Knueppel often drew two defenders when coming off screens. In those moments, Knueppel made snappy decisions and found open teammates for rim finishes – often [Khaman] Maluach – or kick-out threes."
Shooting gravity really affects the floor, keeps guys from cheating to help out on Melo and Miller. And will be great kicking out to someone who will knock down the open 3 consistently.
Knueppel has a sharpshooter’s stroke, brainy pick-and-roll playmaking, and crafty scoring feel. He’s the type of player who can come in right away and fit on any team, including perfectly between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He’s got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player that takes over games he’ll need to overcome his average athleticism. This would matter a bit less playing in Charlotte, since he could be one of multiple ball-handlers on the team.
Comparisons
Cameron Johnson
Bojan Bogdanović
Attributes
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3-Point Marksman
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Off-Ball Mover
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Basketball IQ
As with all Hornet’s picks, I extend the benefit of the doubt to all players until they prove they can’t do it at this level. I think the shooting will translate. It’s the playmaking, secondary ball handling, finishing, and team defense I want to see from him, and then I will be comfortable. Just hope Ace turns into Cam Reddish rather than TMac. And Tre is just Cam Thomas.
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@Eastley here you go brother
Kon is like Chris Mullin with a one motion jumper. Mullin had a two motion jumper. Kon’s release is quicker and more suited for the modern game. But the ability to find angles to score the ball while keeping the shots simple and high percentage is very Chris Mullin-esque.
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Positive ways to spin Kon:
“The Kevin Love of 2-guards”
“Chris Mullin with Mitch Richmond’s strength”
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If we’re going old school comparisons, what about Kelly Tripucka? He averaged over 20 points 5 different seasons, made 2 all-star teams. Strong, good size. Good shooter, passer. Played hard. Poofy hair. The name Kon Knueppel totally is a guy who needs a mustache. A handlebar mustache.
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The Purple and Teal Cobras
“Nobody makes me bleed my own blood.”
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Yes!!! This is the look. Someone needs to get this to Kon to start growing now.
I will share the No Ceilings write up of Kon later this evening. He’s a great fit. I think people will warm up to him quickly. I wanted VJ, but this is great. Kon is a great connector and I watched him shine without Flagg playing
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The only negatives for Kon are athleticism and length. Time will tell how much his lack of both will hold him back, but he hits the mark in all other areas.
His measurables were pretty similar to VJ’s. Was lower on some of the athletics, but still had a 32” vertical I think. The hope is that if he can be a decent defender, maybe he can be a lite version of Klay.
I actually like the Klay comp for him.
Mark my words the people who are doubting Kon Knueppel will lbe eating crow after next season. He will surprise a lot fof the so called experts!
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Everybody seems to put more value on measurements than they do how a player performed during games. I know measurements help but there have been plenty of teams burned for being obsessed with measurements. Kon can play well, measurements be damned!
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I’m on board with the eye test rather than tape measure test for players. Completely agree.
That said, there comes a point where athletic limitations tell, especially on-ball D. We won’t know until we see him on the court but in terms of skill-set, BBIQ & personality you couldn’t ask for more.
Similar story with Liam. The difference for me is value, and that’s not a knock on Kon, rather a knock on this draft. After #2, there was no outstanding prospect to me. I think we can all feel confident that Kon will, at the very least, be a productive rotational NBA player from day 1.
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One other good thing about Kon that I like…he’s always been very productive throughout his life. Sometimes you get a guy with good tools that’s not as productive in high school or college, then they make a burst in the NBA, but that’s extremely rare. If you’re not a scorer or game changer throughout your early career, it’s hard to become that.
On the flipside there are guys who are absolutely great scorers throughout their careers and become role players in the league, so there’s no guarantee.
But Kon was always the leading scorer on his team, led his team to a state championship, was Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin, was the leading scorer during the high school all star summer circuit.
And if not for Cooper choosing dook, he actually would’ve been the leader on that team. Was the 2nd leading scorer on a great team as a freshman, and when Cooper went out during the ACC tourney run, he averaged 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 8 free throws a game.
So yes, he fits very well as a complementary piece, but he also can compete at high levels as the primary scorer and doesn’t crumble under pressure. And probably would’ve average about 17-18 points as the leader of a Final Four caliber team if there was a world without Cooper.
The track record is good from his personal standpoint, I guess we’re all just anxious to see if his limited athleticism hurts him, or if he’ll be able to improve his body to overcome that and become a force in the league.
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the analytics really favored Kon. I’ll see what I can dig up
