Charlotte Hornets Star Kon Knueppel Seeks Winning Advice

Kon Knueppel, one of the NBA's best young players for the Charlotte Hornets, asked Jalen Brunson about the key attributes of a winning player. ## What happened?

Brunson's answer was about failure. He said he's always told himself to never be afraid to fail. By working hard in the offseason, Brunson explained, the big moments feel less intimidating. If you do fail, you're going to learn anyway.

Why it matters for Charlotte Hornets

The idea is rooted in how the brain responds to struggle. When people attempt something difficult and fall short, multiple brain systems activate at once. Cognition, emotion and, in sports, motor systems all become engaged. The learner in the situation becomes aware of the gap between what they can do and what they can not do.

What comes next?

Manu Kapur, author of “Productive Failure: Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing,” has spent years working to understand why embracing failure gives people an edge. For years, Kapur has argued that failure deserves a more nuanced reputation. While most people instinctively avoid mistakes, researchers who study learning have found that certain kinds of failure can actually accelerate growth.

The Charlotte Hornets will look to apply this mindset to their upcoming games, as they strive to improve their performance and make a push for the playoffs.