Kon Knueppel's stock is rising fast. But is he already better than his Charlotte Hornets teammate LaMelo Ball? The Ringer appears to think so, as it has the rookie five spots higher in its latest player rankings. The reason for placing Ball at No. 45 is a bit disrespectful, though.
While the ranking had high praise for Ball's impact on offense, it pointed out that his defense has gone "downhill" since his rookie year. Sure, his steals and blocks numbers may not be as high as they were during his first year in the league, but his discipline, defensive IQ, and rebounding have improved from the previous seasons.
The thing is, Ball's impact on defense cannot be accurately measured by looking at stats. But those who have watched Hornets games can see how well he has been able to stay in front of his man on most possessions. He has had lapses, and he sometimes still takes unnecessary gambles. However, he hasn't been fouling as much, allowing him to be on the floor in crucial stretches, unlike in the previous campaigns when he had a penchant for fouling out.
Hornets getting recognition
On the bright side, it's great to finally see Ball make a leap in player rankings after he had become often criticized and branded as overrated by some media outlets.
Many of his fans had argued that his apparent struggles stemmed from his injuries and the lack of a stronger supporting cast. But now, the star point guard is about to make his 50th appearance this season, and he is part of one of the best starting lineups this year. Those who have defended him should feel vindicated.
And looking at the bigger picture, it's perhaps fine that The Ringer ranked Knueppel higher than Ball. After all, the Duke University product has already developed into one of the best shooters in the NBA, and that skill is a premium nowadays. He has also complemented his marksmanship with an all-around offensive game and better-than-expected defense.
Two other Charlotte players also appeared on the list: Brandon Miller at No. 58 and Coby White at No. 79. Maybe Moussa Diabate can crash the party if he can maintain the trajectory of his development. Â
It would have been better, though, if Ball's progress on defense earned some recognition. The Hornets wouldn't be among the league's top defensive squads in the past two months without Melo being reliable on that end of the floor.