Kon Knueppel Says 'Nobody' Thinks Hornets Are 'An Easy Walkover Game' Ahead of NBA Play-In vs. Heat
Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel wants he and his teammates to get their proper respect ahead of the NBA play-in tournament.
"Nobody's thinking that playing Charlotte is going to be an easy walkover game," he said to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "Which it has been the last couple years."
Guard Coby White, who helped Charlotte finish strong following his midseason trade from the Chicago Bulls, made the same point.
"We just continue to change the narrative," he said to Youngmisuk. "Before, people weren't serious about Hornets basketball. Sports analysts made jokes on TV. A lot of guys in the locker room were offended and took that to heart. So you see the way that they play — they're tired of that narrative here.
"Now I think the world is starting to see how serious Hornets basketball is."
The Hornets haven't made the playoffs since 2016, and you arguably have to go back further than that when they last truly felt relevant. Charlotte's last playoff series win was back in 2002, the season before the organization relocated to New Orleans.
Of course, the Hornets still have to qualify for the 2026 postseason. As the No. 9 seed, they need to beat the Miami Heat in addition to whoever loses between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.
Charlotte won't actually change its general perception that much if it fails to punch a ticket to the first round. The organization does at least appear to be building something lasting and sustainable regardless of the outcome.
Knueppel built a Rookie of the Year candidacy by averaging 18.5 points and shooting 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. Third-year forward Brandon Miller showed some growth and was one of two Hornets players along with LaMelo Ball to have a scoring average north of 20 points.
The franchise's nucleus is young and getting better.
The Detroit Pistons swept their season series with the Hornets, so a first-round encounter with the East's No. 1 seed would be a tough challenge for Charles Lee's squad.
Much in the same way the Pistons pushing the New York Knicks to six games last year made a strong impression, Charlotte can turn some heads even if it fails to advance.
