For the longest time, a lot of the most effective pick-and-roll roll men have been bigs. However, Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has shifted the narrative. He has registered the most points per possession (1.79) as the roll man on that type of play among qualified players (minimum of 30 total pick-and-roll possessions) this season.
It’s worth noting that Giannis Antetokounmpo has actually recorded a higher PPP as the roll man on that play per NBA.com. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar has not been involved in enough of those sets to crack Stat Defender’s ranking.
Another interesting observation is that the players Knueppel is ahead of are centers and power forwards. It only goes to show that his mindset might be as dangerous for opponents as his shooting and shot-making. His grasp of the fundamentals, coupled with his penchant for thinking outside the box, has given Charlotte a potent offensive tool.
Hornets have an unstoppable weapon at their disposal
Charles Lee is likely thankful to have a versatile franchise cornerstone on the roster. By this point, his coaching stint with the Hornets has been marked by a lack of offensive creativity, resulting in the team finishing last in average points last season and ranking in the bottom half in that department so far.
In Lee’s defense, he has had to make do with whatever is left on the active roster whenever the injury bug sweeps through his players. This year has been different, though, even if LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller have been a fixture on the injury report. Knueppel has been a bright spot for the Hornets whenever they are undermanned.
And when the squad is in near-full force? It has driven fear into the hearts of opponents with its explosive offense. The pick-and-roll wrinkle that has been made possible by the addition and quick progress of Knueppel has also allowed Ball to showcase his ability to manipulate defenses and elite court vision. Their two-man pick-and-roll game has already captured the fancy of many pundits and should force foes to adjust their defensive game plan.
Kon Knueppel continues to defy expectations
For the Hornets faithful, watching Charlotte this season has been a different experience than in the past, thanks in large part to Knueppel. He has exceeded expectations by becoming a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year when only a few thought he could contend with his more heralded draft classmates, demonstrating his potential to turn into a star when some people projected him to be a role player at best, and unveiling a deep offensive bag when draft experts boxed him as merely a 3-point shooter.
We can add Knueppel breaking stereotypes to that list. It wouldn’t be shocking if other wing players try to follow in his footsteps, although not all of them would probably find a similar level of success.
It remains to be seen what else the Duke University product can prove capable of. He has already shown flashes as a playmaker and a defender. Based on what we have seen from him, it would be unwise to write off the possibility that he can become an all-around savant or a two-way force.