Kon Knueppel FACE of Franchise? | Hornets OT WIN vs Cavs & Play-In Push | Brandon Miller’s SLUMP
Kon Knueppel erupts for a massive weekend, sparking reports that the Hornets already view the rookie as the face of the franchise. Plus, Charlotte splits a back-to-back with a tough loss to Chicago and a gritty overtime win against Cleveland.
Walker Mehl and Doug Branson recap a wild weekend for the Hornets. Kon Knueppel is turning heads, dropping 33 against the Bulls and following it up with a masterful performance in an overtime win over the Cavaliers. The guys discuss Michael Scotto’s report that Charlotte already views the rookie as the face of the franchise. Is it too early for that label, or has his play forced the conversation? We look at how Knueppel has handled increased ball-handling duties with LaMelo Ball out, showing poise well beyond his years.
While the rookie thrives, Brandon Miller is battling through a rough shooting stretch inside the arc, though he came up huge on the glass with 13 rebounds and hit the clutch shot to seal the game in Cleveland. We also examine the playoff picture—despite the injuries, the Hornets remain in the hunt for the play-in. Is chasing the 10th seed the right move, or should they focus on lottery positioning? Finally, we touch on Ryan Kalkbrenner’s development as he navigates the physicality of the NBA center position and Miles Bridges’ struggles in crunch time.
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://linktr.ee/lockedonhornets
Become an official member of the Locked On Hornets Sicko Brigade and get Hornets news, rumors and pictures of Byron Mullens sent directly to your phone via Subtext (14 Day Free Trial): https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
Get Doug’s gamenotes, special articles and a podcast on Hornets history at the Every Hornets Boxscore substack: everyhornetsboxscore.com
Get more Walker on Wes and Walker 12-3pm on WFNZ 92.7 FM
Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise
Top 35 Hornets of All-Time According to Walker Mehl: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-players-in-hornets-history
📲 Follow Locked On Hornets on Twitter
Locked On Hornets https://twitter.com/LockedOnHornets
Walker Mehl https://twitter.com/WalkerMehl
Doug Branson https://twitter.com/DougBransonLOH
For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.
eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Now through September 22nd, ALL FanDuel customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get a THREE WEEK free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornets
46 Comments
His gravity fade away combined with his 3? His passing skills and unselfish gameplay? The ice in his veins the entire game? He will be the face of our future playoff bound Hornets or we stay a bottom feeder with Ball. This I’m sure of.
Let's talk about shooting percentages. Look at iKon's shooting percentages in comparison to the rest of the Hornets team. That is why he's the face of the Hornets to me. Also change your description for your YouTube page. We better not be talking about Gordon Hayward anymore. 🤣
Need to have an understanding about trade value. Value in any trade/draft/free agent deal is determined by upside to the roster post transaction. Most equate value to return in terms of assets when the real benchmark is how you've bettered the roster. Sometimes that's the real value is in sending a particular player or players away. Ball and Bridges while talented, fall into this category.
There's no doubt at all that Brandon needs a shoulder reco, or at least some sort of op. You don't have that much tape trying to protect the movement range of the joint if you have not stretched or damaged the ligaments with the sublux. How / when we make the call to mothball him and get him fixed for next season is the interesting part.
Yeap make Kon the face
Kon is considerably more consistent and reliable than Melo and Brandon. He IS the face of the franchise and the team should be building around him.
Kon is cold.. Brandon will play better with more playing time.. Trade Miles.. Kalkbreener needs to get into better shape..
No, B Mill is.
Kon 100% cares about winning and losing and he plays like it without whining.. we need that to perculate among the rest of squad. Josh is looking more athletic and comfortable…need Grant back. Would be nice if Kalk was more athletic, but it works for now. If can get full team back and effort and they can make a run…
Of course Kon is the face of the franchise. I can't believe it's even a question. Trade Melo for whatever you can get. Maybe Bridges too. Kon is a smaller Larry Bird.
He seems to care the most along with Miles.
Leave Ryan alone ✌🏻
Enough with the ‘Trade Miles’ business. He’s our leading scorer and has a BAD public image. No team would give us a deal that’s better than how he plays now.
So instead of comparing him to Klay, should we start looking at Steph — not in terms of careers, but strictly their rookie seasons? Ideally, Brandon and Melo could be his Klay, with Miles filling the Draymond role. Talent-wise, this roster is clearly better than the teams finishing 7th–10th and fighting for the play-in. At this point, I’m looking squarely at the coaching. And for the record, Salaün is already a better player and shooter than Peterson — we need to stop playing Peterson. Also, what happened to Pat Connaughton and McNeeley?
I can't wait to have a healthy Grant williams coming in at center and have a strong pick and pop 3 point shooter at the 5😊
It doesn't even feel like Kon is a rookie. He looks like a seasoned vet out there night after night. Couldn't be happier he is our guy!!
Man, I thought KIng Kon was just gonna be some good role player, now I see the Hornets relying on his behind constantly.
Hornets should play Plumlee more
KON YOU BELIEVE IT!!?!
Games like yesterday make me so upset and pissed that Brandon Miller in his entire nba career had 1 normal season. This dude had 25-13-6 yesterday. And this is Brandon Miller who basically hasn’t had the opportunity to develop because he’s spent the majority of the last 1-2 calendar years nursing injuries that literally prevent him from doing any basketball training. Yes Kon is the face. Yes Kon is playing like the best player, but let’s not give up on or forget who Brandon Miller is. 25-13-6 is who he can be long term. And I like the idea of Kon and Brandon being the 2 that lead us to the playoffs (I’d love for LaMelo to be the 3rd) they are made of the right intangibles and come from programs in college where they won. A LOT of
I like Kon but I'm not moved to spend money solely for him. I like highlight winning basketball. He's the face as far as consistency. Lamelo and Brandon have that electric facet to their game. KING KON reminds me of Divencenzo. I still strongly lean to Lamelo as the face. #1 in Allstar Voting.
Kon reminds me of Larry Bird or how Larry Bird would be in today’s game..
What does it matter if we are in a league where that lakers suns game happened…makes me not want to support the nba at all.
Unemployment rate keeps rising yet Miles Bridges still gets a paycheck is wild to me
After back to back games stolen from under them was good to see another player on the “enemy” team hurt their ankles 😂
KON 1ST OPTION, BRANDON #2 OPTION AND MILES THE #3 OPTION GET SEXTON BACK AT PG. IN THAT MIX THE LAST 4 GAMES WITH THOSE THREE AND MILES AND KON AGAINST CHICAGO THERE ARE DEFINED ROLES WE NEVER HAVE THAT WITH MELO IS HE GONNA TAKE A CRAZY PASS FOR A TO OR A 26 FT 1 LEG 3.
If the hornets do trade Melo man it would be crazy if we would be able to trade him for curry, I know it wouldn’t happen.
But imagine curry going back to being able to play with a player like kon who resembles klay.
And that could do even more wonders for kon and even maybe for curry who knows
Trade Melo !
Charlotte needs many faces of the franchise not just Kon Knueppel. You need 120 points a game to win or be competitive in today's NBA. The Hornets have a small team so there definitely not a dominant defensive team. So they definitely need 120 points to compete or win a game.
Mab melo jus gt rstid a tn cuz ya nu y nt. Building a team. Not a team built round a individual. He Usually lookin like he covering more distance per minute when he playing than any1 else. He can be a bit frustrating to watch, imagine that's his frustration manifestation from what must be rage baitin. The Koncernipple doesn't fall far from the koncer tree
Yes, Kon is a serious player. But Brandon Miller isn't? There's been people complaining about him not playing and now he's out there in a shoulder wrap forcing OT and pulling down 10+ rebounds. He's also been finding other ways to contribute (thinking about that Toronto OT game). Pick something to be mad about and commit to it lol
I wonder if Kon and Cooper talk to each other or challenge each other about who's gonna win rookie of the year,lol?
Kon definitely has that leadership quality the Hornets have been a blackhole with.
with Kalkbrenner, you have 6 players with an 80 ovrl. it's silly this team can't get anywhere.
Kon is the future of hornets, we need someone stronger and bigger at power forward and think about trading ball if he keeps on getting injured.
The face is the one the fans consistently see on the floor and put up points ….
I miss Nick Richards
Kon is the future! Kon is good. Kon is the face.
Where tf is Tre Mann??
KK may be their best and most valuable player, but walking down the street no one is recognizing bro's face
Doug! I was waiting for you to mention Brandon’s rebounds in this game haha! 13!! He’s obviously listening to the pod 😂
I’ve been saying this since Summer League, but Kon’s “Komp” is Luka. Except Kon is a better shooter.
A lot of you clowns on here keep yelling trade melo like deep down inside he can’t wait to get the hell out of Charlotte. He just buying his time collecting his money and saying the right things til his time is up. You will get your dish soon enuf. In the meantime just enjoy the rook smh.
Miles Brandon and KON ..THEY UNDERSTAND EACH OTHERS ROLES WE HAVE BEEN COMPETETIVE EACH ONE OF THOSE SHOULD PLAY 35+ MIN AND SEXTON COMES BACK WITH D AND A DRIVE OPTION AND PASSING ABILITY DEFINATELY GET RID OF TRE MANN RESIGN COLIN ON A CHEAPER DEAL THAN TRE HAD ALSO LOCK MELO UP FOR TWO MORE AT A SLIGHTLY LOWER RATE THEY ARE 27 IN PRIME BOTH LEADERS AND WOULD UNDERSTAND WHOVTHE FUTURE IS MILES ASSIT HAVE DOUBLED THE LAST 3 GAMES AND HE GET REBS AND SCORES. NEEDS BETTER 3PT BUT 48% 34.1 FROM 3.SEXTON IS INSTANT IMPACT.MOVE ON FRON MELO FOR AN ESABLISHED YOUNG GUARD COBY WHITE' DARIUS GARLAND OR FOX OR HARPER FROM SPURS. . WE MUST GET RID OD TRE MANN' JOSH GREEN PAT C. ' PLUMLEE'DREW PETERSON AND GIVE PJ HALL A CHANCE AT SMALLC OR PF AT 6'9" & HE SHOOTS 3S..THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE NOW IS MELO B4 HE HAS NO VALUE. PLZZZ
Yall know how crazy the media would ride Kon if he looked like Melo, dude is nice
Its refreshing to see someone who has actual ball IQ and can dissect the game and watches film.