Kon Knueppel's disastrous finale is a double warning for the Spurs

The NBA Playoffs can be a completely different monster from the regular season, and the Charlotte Hornets just found that out at the worst time. Kon Knueppel is going to finish either first or second in the Rookie of the Year race, but that didn't stop the postseason pressure from rendering his game useless. The Spurs rely on Dylan Harper to run their bench unit. There's a warning there that can't be ignored.

The Spurs must be ready to adjust if Harper struggles

It's a lesson San Antonio has to be ready for. No matter how skilled your young guys are, the intensity they'll face from opening tip in the playoffs is immense. It tends to rattle rookies. That's especially true if your primary weapon isn't working. Knueppel wasn't hitting his three-ball. He's a solid all-around guy, but his outside shot is his claim to stardom. When it wouldn't go, he couldn't do much else.

The ROY candidate had to be pulled from the game in the fourth quarter and didn't re-enter the ball game. He played 34 minutes and went 2-12 and 0-6 from the field. He'll need to spend much of the summer improving the other parts of his game. Knueppel made more threes than anyone in the league this year—not just rookies—and couldn't make a single one in the game that mattered the most.

In a game the Miami Heat mostly played without Bam Adebayo, the Hornets needed overtime to pull out a victory. Kon's struggles almost cost them a game they should have won easily. It will cost them everything against better competition. But that's what the playoffs can do to you.

The playoffs can make great players look average

There's a misconception among casual fans that when the playoffs arrive, the best players on the team will raise their level of play, but that's not necessarily true. Everyone, from stars to role players, typically sees their efficiency drop when the intensity ratchets up. That's because defensive game plans are more detailed, and players are locked in as soon as the ball tips off.

Everything becomes more difficult, and you'd better believe an opponent is going to strive to take away your best tools. There have to be counters for that in one's game. Fortunately, Harper has a deep bag, so he should be able to adjust if teams key in on his strengths. But that still doesn't guarantee the relentless intensity won't throw him off.

Spurs Nation will rally behind Harper no matter what happens. That's just the San Antonio way. But fans should prepare themselves for the possibility that he does struggle, and Mitch Johnson must be ready to pivot if he does. A championship could depend on it.

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