Eye of the Tiger: The Tidjane Salaun Thread

[GoBobs]

He just has so many different areas where he needs to change his basketball habits. It isn't fair to expect him to change everything at once so it will have to be a process.

One thing, is he need to have his hands up when playing defense close to the basket. He never blocks any shots because he has his hands down by his sides playing post defense.

[lmcguir15]

He just has so many different areas where he needs to change his basketball habits. It isn't fair to expect him to change everything at once so it will have to be a process.

One thing, is he need to have his hands up when playing defense close to the basket. He never blocks any shots because he has his hands down by his sides playing post defense.

This may actually be beneficial early in his development. Since draft night, I've been concerned he will struggle to manage his fouls early on and play himself off the court. Young shot blockers tend to bite on every fake and get themselves into foul trouble, abbreviating their minutes before some chosen time threshold in the game.

I would rather he understand positioning before attempting to become some prolific shot blocker. And if that's never apart of his game, I think he will be fine too.

[wilson115]

He just has so many different areas where he needs to change his basketball habits. It isn't fair to expect him to change everything at once so it will have to be a process.

One thing, is he need to have his hands up when playing defense close to the basket. He never blocks any shots because he has his hands down by his sides playing post defense.

This may actually be beneficial early in his development. Since draft night, I've been concerned he will struggle to manage his fouls early on and play himself off the court. Young shot blockers tend to bite on every fake and get themselves into foul trouble, abbreviating their minutes before some chosen time threshold in the game.

I would rather he understand positioning before attempting to become some prolific shot blocker. And if that's never apart of his game, I think he will be fine too.

Seen multiple takeaways about him looking timid contesting at the rim. Glad to see a positive spin on it.

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[wilson115]

Obviously got work to do but first made three, double-doubles in his second game.

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[amcoolio]

again he has a knack for getting rebounds, always in the right spot. the anti nick richards

[JustBuzzin]

Rebounds comes easy for this kid.

Energy and hustle will earn him minutes sooner than we think. Trust the process.

[KembaWalker]

He is one of the strangest players I have seen in a while. It’s like he spent alll his xp maximizing a few attributes and forgot the rest. Pure looking stroke, no handles, max hustle, no block, max strength, no vertical, max speed, no hands

No idea what he’s gonna be but logically it seems like there is enough good stuff there for good coach to carve out a role

[Liver_Pooty]

He is one of the strangest players I have seen in a while. It’s like he spent alll his xp maximizing a few attributes and forgot the rest. Pure looking stroke, no handles, max hustle, no block, max strength, no vertical, max speed, no hands

No idea what he’s gonna be but logically it seems like there is enough good stuff there for good coach to carve out a role

He's an nba2k player. I dig it.

[GoBobs]

He has some positive habits. When he catches the ball he makes quick decisions. I like his aggression.

With his 3pt shoot he should be looking to set some screens and then go into a pick and pop.

Probably the best shoes in summer league

[MasterIchiro]

The front office definitely did not play it safe but the draft was a minefield with few safe plays.

Some spastic dribbling can't have Peterson feeling the euphoria he may have felt draft night.

The gap between Salaun and Castle is greater than just 2 draft slots. We weren't getting 3 or 4 for 6 plus a couple second rounders.

We landed in a danger zone.

Maybe we set off a bomb?

From what I've seen, you can't trust him dribbling the ball on an NBA court anytime soon. I don't think he gets time at PF behind Miles and Grant Williams.

Some of his limitations will be exacerbated by the team playing more competitive ball and maybe chasing a play-in spot.

[MasterIchiro]

All that said, I don't think the picture will become clear until 1 full year in Gleague. Early returns indicate he needs an extended trial period. He looks like an experimental pick.

[Snidely FC]

from what I can see they took Salaun based on effort and attitude when there were much more skilled basketball players available. I wish they hadn't done that

Spoiler:

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[Bassman]

from what I can see they took Salaun based on effort and attitude when there were much more skilled basketball players available. I wish they hadn't done that

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Indeed. Trading back to 9 with the Griz would have delivered us either Matas or Cody. I would have taken either over Salaun.

But Peterson was in Paris…drinking wine…and fell in love…

[yosemiteben]

Right now I'm all positive on the pick. He's looked better than I expected and there is plenty to work with. The stuff about his dribbling isn't concerning at all to me, I didn't expect him to come in and create off the dribble immediately. I'm encouraged that in 2 games he has a total of 1 TO, so it's not like if he touches the ball it's going to be a problem.

I'm certainly not wishing we drafted Buzelis just because he has some higher counting stats despite shooting 4-15 from the field like he did last night.

[MasterIchiro]

from what I can see they took Salaun based on effort and attitude when there were much more skilled basketball players available. I wish they hadn't done that

Spoiler:

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Indeed. Trading back to 9 with the Griz would have delivered us either Matas or Cody. I would have taken either over Salaun.

But Peterson was in Paris…drinking wine…and fell in love…

Dear Lord, was Clifford the one tilting back Peterson's wine glass?

[Hornet Mania]

I bet if you calculated his distance traveled per minute he'd lead the summer league. Dude is just moving nonstop and that's why he finds the action so consistently. I think the first two games have been very positive, he's obviously unpolished but he seems to have a good IQ and finds ways to contribute in the natural flow of the game.

[EmpireFalls]

I will say that if we project to build around LaMelo Miller and another ball handling volume scorer (for now Bridges, hopefully another long term guy is found) then Salaun is the archetype of the 5th option guy to fit with anyone. I just think you can find a 5th option much easier than spending #6 on him. I am still optimistic as he tries his ass off but his skill level is unbelievably low. He doesn’t block shots at all. It worries me.

All the Aaron Gordon comps…

Please. This was Aaron Gordon in summer league. He had 18 and 9 in his first ever HALF. Look at the difference between him and Tidjane. It’s gigantic. https://youtu.be/WswfefUAtfo?si=76inPw1ohnUCNNY0

[Bassman]

I will say that if we project to build around LaMelo Miller and another ball handling volume scorer (for now Bridges, hopefully another long term guy is found) then Salaun is the archetype of the 5th option guy to fit with anyone. I just think you can find a 5th option much easier than spending #6 on him. I am still optimistic as he tries his ass off but his skill level is unbelievably low. He doesn’t block shots at all. It worries me.

All the Aaron Gordon comps…

Please. This was Aaron Gordon in summer league. He had 18 and 9 in his first ever HALF. Look at the difference between him and Tidjane. It’s gigantic. https://youtu.be/WswfefUAtfo?si=76inPw1ohnUCNNY0

Exactly…and it’s wise to not put too much judgement on SL, but it is a measure of where these guys are relative to near-NBA players. Salaun is a developmental pick. Pure potential based on his body at 18 yo plus some limited skill sets he’s already cultivated. Was originally projected late 1st but all the attention to Risarcher plus the splash of Wemby helped him gain traction. I see the possibilities, but just feel a couple other players would have more upside.

[yosemiteben]

All the Aaron Gordon comps…

Not sure if you're referring to around here or on social media or somewhere else, but I went back 5 pages in this thread and the only reference to Aaron Gordon is JB saying "I expect him to have a Aaron Gordon type body when he fully matures." I don't think anyone is saying he's as polished as Aaron Gordon was coming out.

[MPM]

All the Aaron Gordon comps…

Not sure if you're referring to around here or on social media or somewhere else, but I went back 5 pages in this thread and the only reference to Aaron Gordon is JB saying "I expect him to have a Aaron Gordon type body when he fully matures." I don't think anyone is saying he's as polished as Aaron Gordon was coming out.

I also said Aaron Gordon without the explosive verticality, feel it is a good comp, and am standing by it. A highlight reel of Salaun's summer league - next year - will undoubtedly look quite a bit like Gordon's above (which is from the '15 summer league, he was drafted in '14). So much unsurprising overreaction on this board, but suppose what these boards are for. Salaun will be fine.