Eye of the Tiger: The Tidjane Salaun Thread

[JustBuzzin]

Fun developmental challenge.

His shot and athleticism is solid.

But he has no self shot creation skills. At best he's 3&D stretch pf. I think he's Miles replacement.

I'm not going to pretend to know anything about the kid, but it looks like he can create off the dribble at least a little. More turnovers than assist is an issue. But we shall see just how good Peterson and Lee can develop a truly raw kid.

I hope so. I think Summer League will tell us a lot about his shot creation off the dribble.

[Liver_Pooty]

His shot and athleticism is solid.

But he has no self shot creation skills. At best he's 3&D stretch pf. I think he's Miles replacement.

I'm not going to pretend to know anything about the kid, but it looks like he can create off the dribble at least a little. More turnovers than assist is an issue. But we shall see just how good Peterson and Lee can develop a truly raw kid.

I hope so. I think Summer League will tell us a lot about his shot creation off the dribble.

Maybe a little. Miller had an eh summer league other than jamming it all over Wemby but I knew he'd be okay.

And I'm damn sure you knew he'd be ok. SL is a guards league and people hoisting nonsense trying to get hot and make a roster.

[SWedd523]

Now that I've calmed down I don't mind it. I'll give the pick a C. He has a nice stroke and tools you can't teach.

I think I'll regrade it to a G, but I get why people are huffing the copium on this one. It's so hard to justify it's more of a "well maybe they know something we don't," and there's nothing inherently wrong with trying to convince yourself it's good.

Coulda had two awesome centers, or at least 1.5 awesome centers, but you don't become the Charlotte Hornets by doing smart things, understandable things or even just OK things.

I will go back to what I originally said, though, which was that this pick doesn't mean near as much as 2-3 key guys being healthy. And if I was the Swarm's video guy, I'd be thrilled with the highlight packages I'll get for the next two seasons because he'll be worth the price of admission over there.

Who should they have picked, in your opinion, just for posterity

[Robot Rock]

Now that I've calmed down I don't mind it. I'll give the pick a C. He has a nice stroke and tools you can't teach.

I think I'll regrade it to a G, but I get why people are huffing the copium on this one. It's so hard to justify it's more of a "well maybe they know something we don't," and there's nothing inherently wrong with trying to convince yourself it's good.

Coulda had two awesome centers, or at least 1.5 awesome centers, but you don't become the Charlotte Hornets by doing smart things, understandable things or even just OK things.

I will go back to what I originally said, though, which was that this pick doesn't mean near as much as 2-3 key guys being healthy. And if I was the Swarm's video guy, I'd be thrilled with the highlight packages I'll get for the next two seasons because he'll be worth the price of admission over there.

Who should they have picked, in your opinion, just for posterity

I'm shocked it took someone so long to ask. Generally, it's one of the first replies.

First, I'll say I would have not traded up. So I'm relieved there, but staying put was beyond stupid if Donovan Clingan wasn't the choice.

[driveandkick]

There was a lot of smoke connecting Salaun to the Spurs at 8 leading up to the draft. If you buy that, this takes trading back off the board with Memphis at 9. And it's pretty easy to believe the Spurs were wanting Salaun because they traded out of that spot when they came onto the clock. There are reasons to be frustrated/skeptical of this choice. Not trading back isn't one of them for me. Don't jeopardize losing out on your guy if you believe in him.

[KingCat]

One of these raw talents we pick gotta succeed! Forget Biz, Vonleh, Kai. This is a brand new era and staff. Let's see what they turn this kid into.

[Robot Rock]

I legitimately forgot about Noah Vonleh. Wow. I think of 2014 and remember PJ Hairston before him.

Kaidjone Salonleh it is.

[bravor]

Well, since all interesting targets were gone (besides clingan but i doubt his trade value would have been worth it)... I have been harsh in my own evaluation of him, but he's still very young and already shown he could deliver in a real pro (and physical) league, including in the clutch. Lots of development to be done.
Wishing him the best here though, he's a good kid.

Castle must be legit since Spurs jumped on him on purpose quite obviously (since he would have been gone otherwise, no way Hornets would have let him go).

[LofJ]

Same guy graded Miller as an A+ pick last year.

Read on Twitter

[HornetJail]

Im not mad, just confused

[LofJ]

Good looking kid and family

Read on Twitter

Better angle here

Read on Twitter

[Robot Rock]

He's an awesome "you're a true fan if you remember Tidjane Salaun" kind of pick. Like Kirk Haston or Alexis Ajinca. Sometimes you gotta go with the guy who'll cost a bunch of people 100% on a Sporcle quiz.

[Robot Rock]

Good looking kid and family

Read on Twitter

He seems likable. I hope he comes in and kicks ass, but he's got a lot going against him. The Hornets have a hilarious track record with French players, they've developed one draft pick since Baron Davis and our man can't create his shot, for starters. But if he doesn't need the ball to make an impact on both ends and he can actually play NBA basketball two ways, awesome.

[yosemiteben]

I don't understand being that upset because I would bet a large sum that no one on here had done anything resembling an in depth scout of this guy before he was picked (other than vorbis). I know I legit have not watched a single second of any game footage of this guy.

I personally love swinging for the fences in a down draft so I'm happy with the pick. Much better than taking a low ceiling known quantity in Knecht IMO.

Just have to hope he works out.

[Robot Rock]

Knecht can succeed elsewhere. I don't know that he will, but he wouldn't have been a better pick for us than Gen-Z Ajinca. There wasn't a SG available at 6 I'd have even considered for a moment.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I like it that the Spurs wanted this guy. I don't like it that Kai / Thor 2.0 will have to be the guy to break the French curse here.

[lmcguir15]

This pick makes me feel even more that they'll take on salary for a pick this offseason

I mean we did that with Ben Gordon and ended up with a beautiful pick.

Certainly looking at the glass half full. I will stay consistent, taking an upside swing is what I wanted so I'm far from salty.

[KingCat]

Jericho Sims! That's what this guys build kinda reminds me of. Was on the tip of my tongue all night. Maybe UNCNYC loves this guy.

[SWedd523]

There was a guy out of .. Kansas I think? awhile back that looks just like this guy

[amcoolio]

Russillo just said he loves Salaun becuase he takes no **** and purposely runs over players if they score on him on the other end. First I've heard of that, to be fair I've only seen highlights

If true, he should be a fun one to watch in SL lol