"I'd Tell JJ Redick That to his Face": Duke Coach Jon Scheyer Jokingly Shades Lakers HC in Kon Knueppel's Favor 

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"I'd Tell JJ Redick That to his Face": Duke Coach Jon Scheyer Jokingly Shades Lakers HC in Kon Knueppel's Favor (Image Source: IMAGN)

Duke coach Jon Scheyer gave his perspective on the comparisons between Lakers coach JJ Redick and No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel. Redick made his name in the NCAA circuit with the Blue Devils as a lights-out shooter and scorer. Due to his ability as a movement shooter, Knueppel drew brief parallels to Redick during his time at Duke.

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Redick addressed the comparisons when his team faced off against Knueppel's Hornets on Monday. The Lakers coach refused to analyze it, citing how the game has changed drastically since his days with the Blue Devils.

Hornets' sideline reporter Shannon Spake then reached out to Jon Scheyer for a comment. Here's what the former player turned coach said to her:

"He told me, 'They're both killers.' He said that they are wired to win, they are wired to compete their tails off."
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Spake shared that Scheyer joked about confronting Redick regarding Knueppel's strengths that he didn't boast, saying:

"He did tell me ... 'Kon is a better athlete and a better defender,' and he said, 'You know what? I'll say that to JJ [Redick's] face as well.'"
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JJ Redick played a significant part in Jon Scheyer's decision to join the Blue Devils during his commitment process. In Scheyer's two visits, Redick produced two of his best scoring games. He had 38 points in a February 2005 game against Wake Forest and 40 in a January 2006 contest against Virginia.

They didn't play together, but Redick and Scheyer share tremendous mutual respect. Redick endorsed Duke's decision to name Scheyer as coach Mike Krzyzewski's successor in 2022.

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Kon Knueppel shows out in front of Duke legend JJ Redick's Lakers

Kon Knueppel nearly dropped a triple-double in front of Duke legend JJ Redick's Lakers team on Monday. While the Hornets lost 122-111, Knueppel did his best to give the home team a shot against the Purple and Gold, scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and one turnover on 6 of 11 shooting. He also went 5 of 5 from the free throw line.

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He was one of the key reasons why the Hornets had a puncher's chance to win without LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The No. 4 pick has exceeded expectations and has cemented his spot in the Rookie of the Year ladder race. Knueppel has consistently been better than his rivals, including his former teammate and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

After Monday's contest, Kon Knueppel leads all rookies in scoring with 16.7 points, is third in rebounds with 6.4 and tied sixth in assists with 3.0. He's shooting 40.0% from 3 on 8.0 attempts, converting 3.2 shots, both league high marks among rookies.

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Edited by Arhaan Raje
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