Rookie Watch - C/O 2025

[Iverson Armband]

Also, shoutout to CPops57 and Stormi on Kon.

[FlyingArrow]

Classless move by Derik Queen! Negro must disavow!!!

Watch on YouTube

I didn't hear the horn

Fans pay to see players play basketball. Play to the horn.

When the game is "over" like that, both teams should have their 3rd string in the game. And both teams should be playing 100% to show what they can do in a game that counts. Way to go DQ - keep doing that. Change the culture. I want to see every team playing for that one last shot every game, even if the game is decided. Every team should be doing that to get their 3rd string players reps in pressure situations.

[M2J]

Kon flirting with 20 points on 50/40/90 shooting as a rookie.

If his current stretch run is at all sustainable..... WOW. If he topped out at his current play at any point in his career it would've been phenomenal.

I keep wanting to say I want to watch that team more when they actually get healthy with LaMelo and Brandon all there. But that's probably never going to happen. But if they were any type of real organization. They now allowed kon to establish himself as a potential cornerstone franchise player. Now they have to maximize LaMelo see if he fits with their future and perhaps trade him if not... He has to start playing though

If I were them I’d be trading Brandon Miller first.

Being on the rookie contract helps with Brandon in terms of potential, so you can maybe make a much bigger move with Ball. Brandon is younger so he fits closer to Kon timeline. Brandon has proven himself for sure, but clearly isn't as proven as Ball... So you may be trading Miller too early, But they could be close to trading Ball too late if he continues to show that he can't play.

[76ciology]

I’m still convinced Queen’s just unorthodox and defenses haven’t fully adjusted to his tricks. He actually reminds me a bit of Andre Blatche, someone who’s very skilled for his size and could pop for big numbers in some games depending on intensity and match-up. That said, I didn’t expect Sengun to reach this level either. A lot of skilled guys just need opportunities and a hot streak to suddenly look like All-Stars.

As for Cedric Coward, it feels like he’s run into that rookie wall over these last five games. Curious if Kneuppel eventually hits the same stretch.

[76ciology]

I don’t buy the idea that LaMelo wants out just because the Hornets aren’t winning, he’s a big part of why they’re not. If anything, I think the real issue is that Kneuppel’s taken a chunk of his spotlight, and he feels it.

[sodmoraes]

Bailey with another 21 pts game. I think he will be really good in a couple of years, when his handle improves and he gets stronger.

[stormi]

Also, shoutout to CPops57 and Stormi on Kon.

Cheers boss

Honestly I probably could have been less of a pretentious cυnt about it, but it was just infuriating watching this genius get called a white Buddy Hield or Kyle Korver because of his haircut lmao

[Jailblazers7]

Bailey with another 21 pts game. I think he will be really good in a couple of years, when his handle improves and he gets stronger.

Yeah I still like the Rudy Gay comp which would be a long & productive career for him.

This draft class really was stacked. I see 4 potential All NBA caliber players (Flagg, VJ, Harper, and Kon) and another 5 potential All Stars (Ace, Tre J, Fears, Queen, and Coward). That would be a crazy good lotto.

[mjkvol]

Also, shoutout to CPops57 and Stormi on Kon.

Cheers boss

Honestly I probably could have been less of a pretentious cυnt about it, but it was just infuriating watching this genius get called a white Buddy Hield or Kyle Korver because of his haircut lmao

And don't forget the "nipples" idiocy.

Yep, I was on the Kon train as well, and as happy as I am to have VJ I would have been thrilled at the time if we had drafted Kon. To me, he was the most sure thing in the draft from the beginning of the process along with Flagg.

[mjkvol]

Bailey with another 21 pts game. I think he will be really good in a couple of years, when his handle improves and he gets stronger.

Yeah I still like the Rudy Gay comp which would be a long & productive career for him.

This draft class really was stacked. I see 4 potential All NBA caliber players (Flagg, VJ, Harper, and Kon) and another 5 potential All Stars (Ace, Tre J, Fears, Queen, and Coward). That would be a crazy good lotto.

Funny how many people, including some "experts", were calling this a 3-player draft with no depth.

[Negrodamus]

I’m still convinced Queen’s just unorthodox and defenses haven’t fully adjusted to his tricks. He actually reminds me a bit of Andre Blatche, someone who’s very skilled for his size and could pop for big numbers in some games depending on intensity and match-up. That said, I didn’t expect Sengun to reach this level either. A lot of skilled guys just need opportunities and a hot streak to suddenly look like All-Stars.

As for Cedric Coward, it feels like he’s run into that rookie wall over these last five games. Curious if Kneuppel eventually hits the same stretch.

I think the same can be said about most of these guys. When teams have to take the Hornets seriously, I don’t think Kon is going to be shooting out of his mind like he is now.

[stormi]

I’m still convinced Queen’s just unorthodox and defenses haven’t fully adjusted to his tricks. He actually reminds me a bit of Andre Blatche, someone who’s very skilled for his size and could pop for big numbers in some games depending on intensity and match-up. That said, I didn’t expect Sengun to reach this level either. A lot of skilled guys just need opportunities and a hot streak to suddenly look like All-Stars.

As for Cedric Coward, it feels like he’s run into that rookie wall over these last five games. Curious if Kneuppel eventually hits the same stretch.

I think the same can be said about most of these guys. When teams have to take the Hornets seriously, I don’t think Kon is going to be shooting out of his mind like he is now.

Are Kon's shooting numbers are really that unsustainable? Splits of 47/40/90 at Duke and is at 49/43/90 so far in Charlotte. A tick high, sure and more on the ball reps and self created 3s will drop those averages, but he's had rare off ball shooting talent and there's just more space in the pro game. A majority of his makes are good looks off swing passes and space created by opponent double teaming elsewhere on the court and he can probably eat off that for the rest of his career.

I'd be pretty surprised if he ever deviated that far away from ~47/41/90 for at least the next decade.

[Negrodamus]

I’m still convinced Queen’s just unorthodox and defenses haven’t fully adjusted to his tricks. He actually reminds me a bit of Andre Blatche, someone who’s very skilled for his size and could pop for big numbers in some games depending on intensity and match-up. That said, I didn’t expect Sengun to reach this level either. A lot of skilled guys just need opportunities and a hot streak to suddenly look like All-Stars.

As for Cedric Coward, it feels like he’s run into that rookie wall over these last five games. Curious if Kneuppel eventually hits the same stretch.

I think the same can be said about most of these guys. When teams have to take the Hornets seriously, I don’t think Kon is going to be shooting out of his mind like he is now.

Are Kon's shooting numbers are really that unsustainable? Splits of 47/40/90 at Duke and is at 49/43/90 so far in Charlotte. A tick high, sure and more on the ball reps and self created 3s will drop those averages, but he's had rare off ball shooting talent and there's just more space in the pro game. A majority of his makes are good looks off swing passes and space created by opponent double teaming elsewhere on the court and he can probably eat off that for the rest of his career.

I'd be pretty surprised if he ever deviated that far away from ~47/41/90 for at least the next decade.

I'm not doubting him long term, nor am I really saying he can't be an elite shooter in the league. I just think he's a rookie on a trash team, just like Derik Queen, and contending teams are probably just starting to focus on him, but they aren't building the whole game plan around him.

We will see what these guys are all really made out of once teams start scheming against them. Queen, Kon, VJ, they have all been very promising so far, so it's a good start.

[76ciology]

I found a guy who plays like Kneuppel but he’s smaller (8.2ft vs 8.5ft standing reach). Cam Spencer.

He’s style is very similar with him. 50-40-90 shooting. Very good basketball IQ and playing with 2 feet at the paint. Leads the league in pull-up jumpers with 61.9 EFG%.

[sodmoraes]

Im watching Jazz X Rockets game and Bailey hugged Durant pregame. I dont think he was that smaller than Kevin. Maybe he grew a little already. If he ends 6.11 that would be huge for him.

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[M2J]

Im watching Jazz X Rockets game and Bailey hugged Durant pregame. I dont think he was that smaller than Kevin. Maybe he grew a little already. If he ends 6.11 that would be huge for him.

Sent from my SM-G780G using RealGM mobile app

Watched this one too as it was the only early one... Outside of recent games where he had foul trouble and another where he hurt his knee and essentially had limited minutes in both..... He's been pretty consistent since really a few games before starting. Very efficient as a finisher in the 2pt range, and his 3 ball has come around. I'd say he looks damn efficient from 3 since that rough start too. When he actually holds his shooting form instead of flicking it up like Kobe, he's been really good as a motion shooter.

Much like VJ he's been all you can ask for from a rookie that's not a top option on their team, yet contributing on both ends in big ways. In a role, but they create a lot of movement shooting opportunities for him now. He really struggles beating anybody off the dribble though, but seems to be backing guys down more to get off a shot.... They're tough shots but they do seem to go in.

[sodmoraes]

After VJ´s hot start, he has been pretty mediocre. Saw a post on reddit saying that since Ace became a starter, his last 10 games he´s averaging 14/4/2 on 53/41/78 , with 25 MPG, while VJ stats in his last 10 games were: 12/6/4 on 35/31/67. He should focus more on C&S, because he cant create well, atleast for now.

[M2J]

After VJ´s hot start, he has been pretty mediocre. Saw a post on reddit saying that since Ace became a starter, his last 10 games he´s averaging 14/4/2 on 53/41/78 , with 25 MPG, while VJ stats in his last 10 games were: 12/6/4 on 35/31/67. He should focus more on C&S, because he cant create well, atleast for now.

VJ still like 42% on C & S....19% off dribble. I mean he is still taking only just above 1 pull up 3 a game. Like 3 or 4 off the catch.

But yeah, focus on the catch opportunities, transition opportunities, and closeout opportunities. I still like where his overall scoring projects on eye test and the surprise mid-range and 3pt game along with simple playmaking. Ahead of schedule on all. Doesn't help that Nurse has run him into the ground

[76ciology]

Not that impressed with Ryan Nembhard. Early rookie success is often because scouts don’t know their tendencies specially if they’re unorthodox (see Queen). Watching him, he’s mostly just being given open looks. Eventually defense will catch up.

[76ciology]

After VJ´s hot start, he has been pretty mediocre. Saw a post on reddit saying that since Ace became a starter, his last 10 games he´s averaging 14/4/2 on 53/41/78 , with 25 MPG, while VJ stats in his last 10 games were: 12/6/4 on 35/31/67. He should focus more on C&S, because he cant create well, atleast for now.

VJ still like 42% on C & S....19% off dribble. I mean he is still taking only just above 1 pull up 3 a game. Like 3 or 4 off the catch.

But yeah, focus on the catch opportunities, transition opportunities, and closeout opportunities. I still like where his overall scoring projects on eye test and the surprise mid-range and 3pt game along with simple playmaking. Ahead of schedule on all. Doesn't help that Nurse has run him into the ground

VJ’s also a steady decision maker in crunch time. He is also advanced with the way he paces the game. He knows when to go with the flow and when to be aggressive.

The Jazz run a lot of screen actions built around Markkanen, but Bailey won’t thrive in Nurse’s system, which demands real on ball ability, you need to dribble, create, and make reads. Bailey has a very Andrew Wiggins statline of 3rpg and 2apg, the difference is that he can shoot 3s.