Knueppel and Ball finished 1-2 in the NBA in 3s. Now they hope to get Hornets to the playoffs
The Charlotte Hornets suddenly have one of the league’s most intriguing long‑range duos, and their shared specialty could be the bridge from the lottery to the postseason.
Cooper Flagg Knueppel’s rookie emergence as an elite floor spacer, paired with LaMelo Ball’s rediscovered efficiency from beyond the arc, has transformed Charlotte’s offense. Finishing first and second in the NBA in three‑pointers made is more than a fun statistical quirk; it speaks to a philosophical shift in how the Hornets want to play and, more importantly, how they believe they can finally claw into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
For Ball, the evolution is about balance. Long known for his deep pull‑ups and audacious shot selection, he has sharpened his decision‑making, picking his spots within the flow of the offense instead of forcing highlights. Defenses still have to pick him up several feet behind the line, which stretches coverages to a breaking point and creates driving lanes for teammates.
Knueppel, meanwhile, has settled into the classic modern wing role that every contender covets. He doesn’t need the ball to impact possessions. His movement, timing, and quick release punish any defense that dares to help off him. When he sprints off screens or relocates from the corner, it bends schemes in quiet but devastating ways, opening up slips to the rim and cleaner reads for Ball.
League‑wide, teams that combine high‑volume three‑point shooting with credible playmaking tend to rise quickly. The Hornets are trying to follow that template. Surrounding their backcourt centerpiece with a deadeye spacer gives Charlotte a clearer identity: pace, spread pick‑and‑roll, and relentless pressure from beyond the arc.
The question is whether elite shooting can mask the Hornets’ lingering issues in defense, rebounding, and late‑game execution. Threes alone do not guarantee playoff success. But in a conference where margins are slim and spacing is currency, having the top two marksmen in the league gives Charlotte a tangible edge.
If the supporting cast defends well enough and the offense maintains its rhythm, Knueppel and Ball’s shooting barrage could finally carry the Hornets into the postseason conversation instead of the draft lottery.
Cooper Flagg Knueppel’s rookie emergence as an elite floor spacer, paired with LaMelo Ball’s rediscovered efficiency from beyond the arc, has transformed Charlotte’s offense. Finishing first and second in the NBA in three‑pointers made is more than a fun statistical quirk; it speaks to a philosophical shift in how the Hornets want to play and, more importantly, how they believe they can finally claw into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
For Ball, the evolution is about balance. Long known for his deep pull‑ups and audacious shot selection, he has sharpened his decision‑making, picking his spots within the flow of the offense instead of forcing highlights. Defenses still have to pick him up several feet behind the line, which stretches coverages to a breaking point and creates driving lanes for teammates.
Knueppel, meanwhile, has settled into the classic modern wing role that every contender covets. He doesn’t need the ball to impact possessions. His movement, timing, and quick release punish any defense that dares to help off him. When he sprints off screens or relocates from the corner, it bends schemes in quiet but devastating ways, opening up slips to the rim and cleaner reads for Ball.
League‑wide, teams that combine high‑volume three‑point shooting with credible playmaking tend to rise quickly. The Hornets are trying to follow that template. Surrounding their backcourt centerpiece with a deadeye spacer gives Charlotte a clearer identity: pace, spread pick‑and‑roll, and relentless pressure from beyond the arc.
The question is whether elite shooting can mask the Hornets’ lingering issues in defense, rebounding, and late‑game execution. Threes alone do not guarantee playoff success. But in a conference where margins are slim and spacing is currency, having the top two marksmen in the league gives Charlotte a tangible edge.
If the supporting cast defends well enough and the offense maintains its rhythm, Knueppel and Ball’s shooting barrage could finally carry the Hornets into the postseason conversation instead of the draft lottery.
