When the dialog turns to the best shooters in NBA historical past, Stephen Curry normally ends the controversy. His all-time 3-point document feels untouchable, constructed on unprecedented quantity, effectivity, and longevity whereas reshaping how the sport itself is performed.
That’s why a latest remark from Reggie Miller throughout his interview with Dan Patrick landed with such drive. The Corridor of Famer and former 3-point king recommended that Kon Knueppel, a rookie with the Charlotte Hornets, has the taking pictures trajectory that would someday threaten Curry’s seemingly unreachable mark.
Why Reggie Miller’s opinion carries weight
Miller isn’t identified for throwing out reckless reward, particularly in relation to perimeter taking pictures. Earlier than Curry rewrote the document books, Miller himself held the profession 3-point document and outlined what elite long-range scoring seemed like for a whole period.
That context makes his phrases stand out. Miller wasn’t declaring Knueppel the subsequent Curry. He was stating that at this time’s NBA creates circumstances the place elite shooters can stack makes an attempt and makes at a tempo earlier generations by no means skilled.
Kon Knueppel’s scorching play sparked the dialog
What’s driving this dialogue is Knueppel’s early manufacturing. In line with monitoring shared by ClutchPoints, the Hornets’ rookie has already knocked down 166 three-pointers this season and is on tempo for 289 made threes if that price holds (stat from December 23).
These numbers matter as a result of they shift the controversy from hype to trajectory. Curry’s early seasons by no means approached that form of quantity, largely as a result of the league wasn’t constructed to assist it. Knueppel entered an NBA the place high-volume taking pictures is inspired from day one.
In fact, tempo isn’t future. Sustaining almost 300 made threes requires sturdiness, defensive adaptability, and the power to thrive as soon as scouting reviews tighten and protection shifts. Nonetheless, Miller highlighted that these numbers occur in Charlotte – he indicated that it’s presently a weak crew. He additionally indicated what he may do wholesome in an NBA powerhouse.
Kon Knueppel has a vibrant future, however not Steph Curry vibrant
Breaking Curry’s document would require greater than a scorching begin. It could take well being, longevity, offensive freedom throughout a number of seasons, and sustained effectivity for properly over a decade. Even generational shooters hardly ever see all these components align.
Nonetheless, Miller’s remark reframes Knueppel’s ceiling. Relatively than being seen as a short lived breakout or rookie anomaly, he’s being mentioned as a shooter whose ability set suits completely with the NBA’s long-term route.
Whether or not Knueppel ever approaches Curry’s whole stays to be seen. However the truth that one of many biggest shooters in league historical past even sees that chance is the true headline – and one that may comply with the Hornets rookie properly past his first season.
