When the dialog turns to the best shooters in NBA historical past, Stephen Curry often ends the talk. His all-time 3-point report feels untouchable, constructed on unprecedented quantity, effectivity, and longevity whereas reshaping how the sport itself is performed.
That’s why a current remark from Reggie Miller throughout his interview with Dan Patrick landed with such power. The Corridor of Famer and former 3-point king prompt that Kon Knueppel, a rookie with the Charlotte Hornets, has the capturing trajectory that might in the future threaten Curry’s seemingly unreachable mark.
Why Reggie Miller’s opinion carries weight
Miller isn’t recognized for throwing out reckless reward, particularly in terms of perimeter capturing. Earlier than Curry rewrote the report books, Miller himself held the profession 3-point report and outlined what elite long-range scoring appeared like for a complete period.
That context makes his phrases stand out. Miller wasn’t declaring Knueppel the subsequent Curry. He was stating that immediately’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 sizzling play sparked the dialog
What’s driving this dialogue is Knueppel’s early manufacturing. Based on 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 charge holds (stat from December 23).
These numbers matter as a result of they shift the talk 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 capturing is inspired from day one.
In fact, tempo isn’t future. Sustaining almost 300 made threes requires sturdiness, defensive adaptability, and the flexibility to thrive as soon as scouting studies tighten and protection shifts. Nonetheless, Miller highlighted that these numbers occur in Charlotte – he indicated that it’s presently a weak group. He additionally indicated what he may do wholesome in an NBA powerhouse.
Kon Knueppel has a shiny future, however not Steph Curry shiny
Breaking Curry’s report would require greater than a sizzling begin. It might take well being, longevity, offensive freedom throughout a number of seasons, and sustained effectivity for properly over a decade. Even generational shooters not often see all these components align.
Nonetheless, Miller’s remark reframes Knueppel’s ceiling. Moderately than being seen as a brief 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 complete stays to be seen. However the truth that one of many biggest shooters in league historical past even sees that chance is the actual headline – and one that can observe the Hornets rookie properly past his first season.
