Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has taken the league by storm in the first half of the season, earning incredible praise from Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Knueppel dropped 20 points on the Warriors on New Year’s Eve, and Kerr wasn’t shy in comparing the young rookie to one of the best Warriors players in history.
Steve Kerr’s Bold Comparison to Warriors Legend
Speaking postgame, Kerr said, “I see a lot of Chris Mullin. He has really good size on the wing, a big, strong body, and can catch-and-shoot…But also, incredible IQ, passing, making the right play over and over again. He’s already a really, really damn good player.”
It’s high praise from Kerr for a rookie who’s only played half a season. However, Knueppel isn’t playing like a typical rookie; he’s already become a key piece in the starting five for Charlotte. Knueppel has averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 33.1 minutes per game this season, topping all the rookies in points per game.
On New Year’s Eve, Knueppel passed Stephen Curry’s rookie record for most games with 20+ points on 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line. Knueppel’s combination of volume and efficiency is rare, and he’s Charlotte’s most efficient scorer, outperforming LaMelo Ball (40.9% from the field) and Brandon Miller (39.9%).
NBA icon Curry wanted to give the Hornets rookie his flowers, saying, “It’s impressive. For as young as he is, he plays with such composure.” He added, “He obviously can shoot the ball at a high level, you can’t leave him open at all-he just has such a good, quick release and shoots with confidence.”
Curry and the Warriors are crying out for a new three-point shooter for Steve Kerr’s offense, so could this be the bait to try to tempt Knueppel to the West Coast? If Knueppel were to join the Warriors sometime in the future, following in the same path as Chris Mullen wouldn’t be a bad idea if he wants a prosperous career in the league.
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Drafted in 1985, Mullen became a five-time All-Star and a key member of the “Run TMC” era with Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond. Mullen averaged 25+ points, five-plus rebounds, and five-plus assists for five consecutive seasons in Golden State, earning an All-Star appearance each season and an All-NBA First Team selection (1992).
His No.17 jersey was retired by the Warriors in 2012, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. If Knueppel has half the career of Mullen, whether that’s in Charlotte, Golden State, or anywhere else in the NBA, he will achieve great things in the years to come.
