Always precocious, Kon Knuepel impresses Jamal Murray

Cooper Flagg are currently favored in the Rookie of the Year predictions, but Knuppel could he didn’t say the last word. The point guard continues his high-profile NBA debut, even if he didn’t have to push his talent too far Sunday night in Charlotte’s XXSL success in Denver. Former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg’s 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists are far from the most impressive stat line since his start to the season. But they confirm the toughness of the last 4th pick of the draft.

kon Knuepel continues his 24th match above ten points and multiplies places on the record lists of precocity. The 20-year-old last night became the fastest to reach 800 points in Hornets history in just 42 career games. Only from 2020 Victor Vembanyama, Zion Williamson etc Paolo Banchero reached this mark faster.

Three first draft picks, who are expected to be stars in the making – or even more – upon entering the league. And with his two successful free throws against the Nuggets, Kon Knuepel tied the game Luka Dončić as the first player to make 100 3-pointers, 100 3-pointers and 100 free throws.

“It’s going to be really good”

These weapon statistical feats alone are obviously anecdotal, but they sum up the maturity of Kon Knuepel’s game well. And even opponents notice and congratulate him.

« I love his game » congratulated him Jamal Murray at the press conference. « I don’t know him personally, but his rhythm, his calmness… It reminds me of the way Cooper Flag plays, in a different rhythm. They have different styles of play, but they are simply ready for the NBA. He makes decisions quickly, they are clear. And he has a real game coming off the dribble. He’s going to be really good. I can’t wait to see how it develops over the next few years. »

Kon Knuepel also did a good job defending Jamal Murray, limiting him to 2/5 shooting when he was the defender closest to the Nuggets’ leader, even allowing himself the luxury of blocking one of his threes.

Novak is not only good, he is the type of player who seems to raise the quality of his team when he is on the court. And the results of the Hornets confirm it. A win in Denver on Sunday evens Charlotte’s record at 24 games (12-12).

The progress is noticeable, less than a year after we achieved only 19 meager successes. A total that Charles Lee’s men are just three wins away from, even though we’re only halfway through the season. During this interesting stretch, Kon Knuepel flirted with rare averages and efficiency for a rookie: 19.4 points (on 49.7%, 44.9% on 3-pointers and 90% on free throws), 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.