The Athletic NBA Daily

Episode: "Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets"

Air Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Dave DuFour
Guests: Zena Keita, Mirin Fader

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the rise of the Charlotte Hornets amid an unexpectedly strong season, spotlighting rookie sensation Kon Knueppel. Special guest Mirin Fader, author of a feature piece on Knueppel, joins hosts Dave DuFour and Zena Keita to unpack how Knueppel’s personality, leadership style, and backstory have helped transform the Hornets from perennial underachievers to one of the league’s most exciting teams. The discussion explores the unique chemistry between Knueppel, Lamelo Ball, and Brandon Miller, as well as head coach Charles Lee’s impact on fostering joy and confidence throughout the organization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mirin Fader’s Inspiration for the Kon Knueppel Feature

[02:56]

• Originated from her editor noting Knueppel’s intriguing family ("so many K names") and wanting to move beyond stats.
• Mirin shares, "Smaller market teams that don't get a lot of attention, they have the best stories...I need to see what this guy's backstory is."

The “Silent Killer” Persona of Kon Knueppel

[03:25 – 06:29]

• Coach Charles Lee called Knueppel an "effing killer," at odds with his unassuming, “boy next door” appearance.
• Mirin ranks Knueppel in her top-five “killers” profiled:

  “He’s so silent with it. He has this deadpan face and then he’s just like, the competitiveness just comes out...He’ll get knocked down. He comes back the next day and he’s just like, yeah, I’m gonna bust a three in your face.” – Mirin Fader [04:59]

• Parallels drawn to early Steph Curry for the unexpected tenacity beneath a calm exterior.

Knueppel’s Impact as a Rookie Leader

[06:29 – 08:26]

• Despite being a rookie, Knueppel is credited as “50–60%” responsible for the Hornets’ success due to his maturity, leadership, and influence.
• Notable that he leads during film sessions—a rarity for rookies—and is respected by veterans like Pat Connaughton.
• Mirin emphasizes he leads “by example, not by noise”:

  “It isn’t loud, it isn’t, you know, ‘I’m the best, I’m the leader of the team.’ It’s very much like, ‘I’m gonna go about my work and I hope you do too, and let’s have fun.’” – Mirin Fader [07:51]

The Role of Joy and Team Chemistry

[08:26 – 11:56]

• Hornets’ nine-game win streak attributed to rare, quick chemistry between Ball, Miller, & Knueppel.
• Mirin identifies having fun and centering joy as the “engine” of Charlotte’s success, often overlooked in professional sports.
• She observes infectious energy and camaraderie in practices, even amid trade rumors or adversity.

  “It’s their ability to have fun...That is the key...They look like they’re playing pickup 24/7, and they just look like they’re having a ball. And it’s because they are.” – Mirin Fader [09:32 & 10:09]

The Charles Lee Effect

[13:54 – 16:40]

• Coach Charles Lee is given equal credit with Knueppel:

  “If you’re saying 50% Kon Knueppel, the other 50% has got to be Charles Lee.” – Dave DuFour [14:54]

• Lee commands team respect, empowers player voices, and fosters quick real-time adjustments.
• Mirin underscores it’s his belief and trust in the young team that enables them to play “free” and creative basketball.

Unlocking Lamelo Ball

[16:59 – 19:52]

• Charles Lee is praised for allowing Lamelo to be an “artist with the basketball”:

  “If I’m going to compare Lamelo to Picasso, I think Charles Lee has done a great job of making sure that he’s got every color in the palette.” – Dave DuFour [17:01]

• Misconceptions about Lamelo’s attitude persist, but Mirin, having covered him since youth, insists he’s a team-first guy with mature leadership.

Branding and National Perception Shift for the Hornets

[19:55 – 23:24]

• Discussion on how the approachable, relatable vibes of both Lamelo and Knueppel are changing the Hornets’ brand image.
• “Gen Z and below...he is such a Persona worldwide,” Zena says about Lamelo, while Knueppel’s “boy next door” vibe is equally important for fan connection.

From Doubt to All-Star: Knueppel’s Personal Journey

[21:26 – 22:51]

• Knueppel’s path nearly derailed at Duke due to homesickness and self-doubt.
• Mirin recounts:

  “There was this time period during college at Duke where he felt so homesick and just so lost...He was about to give up the dream. And now, he’s at All Star weekend in the three point contest.” – Mirin Fader [22:03–22:51]

The Knueppel Family Factor

[23:24 – 27:32]

• The Knueppel home—“the conplex”—cultivated love for basketball without pressure.
• Mother Sherry is Green Bay’s all-time scoring leader; an uncle played NBA, yet the family prioritized joy over expectations.

• “If you actually let them figure it out themselves, they will fall deeper in love with the game...He’s such a nerd...probably the biggest basketball nerd I've talked to.” – Mirin Fader [24:57, 26:09]

Mirin’s Creative Process & Future Work

[27:50 – 28:44]

• Tease for another “heartwarming” feature story set for playoffs:

  “This story, like, I've been doing this for 13 years. It really is one of the most, like, heartwarming interviews I've ever had. Like, this player...people really have no idea his backstory.” – Mirin Fader [28:03]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Coach Charles Lee...called Kon an ‘effing killer.’ And that feels jarring given how composed and kind of understated and poised Kon comes across publicly.” — Zena Keita [03:25]
• “[Knueppel] looks like an accountant...That’s not what we think about when we think about a basketball killer, right?” — Dave DuFour [03:42]
• “He’s not asking you to do something that he’s not willing to do.” — Mirin Fader [07:35]
• “They look like they’re having a ball. And it’s because they are. That’s why they’re so poised.” — Mirin Fader [10:09]
• “When you play free, that tells me your coach lets you play free.” — Mirin Fader [16:22]
• “Lamelo is the system...Look at the joy when Lamelo passes the ball. I’m sorry, you cannot tell me that’s a selfish person.” — Mirin Fader [18:13]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:56] Mirin Fader on her inspiration for profiling Knueppel
• [03:25–06:29] Exploring Knueppel’s “killer” reputation
• [06:29–08:26] Knueppel’s surprising leadership as a rookie
• [08:26–11:56] Team joy and how it fuels the Hornets
• [13:54–16:40] Coach Charles Lee’s culture change
• [16:59–19:52] Lee’s facilitation of Lamelo Ball’s growth
• [21:26–22:51] Knueppel’s journey from homesickness at Duke to NBA All-Star
• [23:24–27:32] The Knueppel family approach and Kon’s “basketball nerd” roots
• [27:50–28:44] Mirin hints at her next big feature

Conclusion

This episode beautifully illustrates how the Charlotte Hornets’ unlikely turnaround is rooted in the unique blend of Kon Knueppel’s understated drive, Charles Lee’s empowering leadership, and a culture of genuine joy and mutual support. Their story is more than box scores or transactional analysis—it’s a compelling reminder of what happens when talent, chemistry, and a fresh perspective on competition converge to transform not just a team, but an entire franchise’s identity.

For more, read Mirin Fader’s feature on Knueppel at The Athletic, and stay tuned for her upcoming playoff story.