Eye of the Tiger: The Tidjane Salaun Thread

[JDR720]

If he somehow becomes a max energy version of MPJ, he'll pretty easily be a top 5 player in this draft class.

[wilson115]

First credited block. I remember he also got a charge called against someone in yellow.

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[MPM]

Think Tiddy looked very good last night. His defensive positioning was sound, played his role. Love the length he brings at the 4. One of the odd things he does very well? Digs. He is very good at showing help off ball.

[CuseMayne]

First credited block. I remember he also got a charge called against someone in yellow.

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It's weird. On the broadcast it was pretty clearly a block, but on the espn box score they, at the time, gave him 1 block but in the final version it's not given to him anymore.

[JMAC3]

Speaking of blocks, rough sequence when Myles Turner blocked him 2x in 3 seconds that one possession.

His rebounding and defense have been solid, still figuring out what he can bring offensively other than above the break 3 balls off the catch. Would be good to see if we can get him some easy finishes to start the next few games and get his confidence rolling.

[MasterIchiro]

Speaking of blocks, rough sequence when Myles Turner blocked him 2x in 3 seconds that one possession.

His rebounding and defense have been solid, still figuring out what he can bring offensively other than above the break 3 balls off the catch. Would be good to see if we can get him some easy finishes to start the next few games and get his confidence rolling.

Now where have we heard this one before?

[Diop]

There is no shame in getting your shot blocked by Turner

[yosemiteben]

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I agree with Plowright on this. Salaun's shooting percentages have been pretty awful, but he understands how to space and move the ball and he has been solid defensively and on the boards. I thought he did very well when matched up against PG last night.

[HornetJail]

he'll probably be better than Bouknight based only on the fact he looks like he gives a ****.

We knew he was going to be a long term project, but he is so completely lost on offense, it's kind of shocking.It's not just the shooting, he can't do anything right with the ball. He has more in common with rookie Jalen McDaniels or Thor than anyone else, but the difference is those guys had the athleticism to project high level defensive upside.

He's the [rare] case where I honestly think a few months in Greensboro would've served him well before ever taking the court here, but due to injuries and a weirdly assembled roster, he has to play and we simply don't have another choice without making a roster move.

[Diop]

Coach told him that if he wants minutes, he needs to concentrate on his defense and rebounding which he has clearly done.

thats the positive, he's taken direction and produced.

[JMAC3]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2024.html

Salaun from a mins, efficiency, raw number standpoint is pretty close to impact as Dalton Knecht, Cody Williams, Matas.

11th in MPG, 9th in total rebounds

[GoBobs]

Most of the time I have watched him play, I have been pretty happy with his decision making. For the most part I think he has done a good job of playing within his limitations.

The 3pt shot has not been falling, but shooters are going to go through hot and cold streaks.

The things that are major concerns though are the lack of any reliable scoring in the mid range or near the basket. His 2pt % isn't much better than his 3pt %.

The other problem is he provides very little rim defense for somebody his size.

If you are not good at scoring in the paint or defending in the paint, you are not a big. When I hear talk about him being a center or PF that sounds like fantsy land to me.

He does do a good job of being physical, boxing out and playing with energy. He should try to model his game after Josh Green and Grant Williams. He has potential to be a really good 3&D role player.

Right now there is a big skill and experience gap between him and most of the other players on the court though. No NBA team should be giving him the kind of minutes we are giving him unless due to injuries or tanking.

[MasterIchiro]

Did Lee yank him from the rotation?

[yosemiteben]

Did Lee yank him from the rotation?

No? What makes you ask that?

[MasterIchiro]

Did Lee yank him from the rotation?

No? What makes you ask that?

Huh, must've been a dream. Not a nightmare, though.

[JustBuzzin]

I'm not giving up on this kid, but man I wish Castle would have been available at our pick.

Castle will be the best player in this class when all is said and done. He's balling for San Antonio.

[MasterIchiro]

I'm not giving up on this kid, but man I wish Castle would have been available at our pick.

Castle will be the best player in this class when all is said and done. He's balling for San Antonio.

We just don't appreciate how much falling in that draft hurt us.

I can only imagine the cost of moving up.

Spurs were not budging.

[JustBuzzin]

I'm not giving up on this kid, but man I wish Castle would have been available at our pick.

Castle will be the best player in this class when all is said and done. He's balling for San Antonio.

We just don't appreciate how much falling in that draft hurt us.

I can only imagine the cost of moving up.

Spurs were not budging.

He would have been a perfect fit next to Melo/Miller. He attacks the rim and has shown the ability to hit the mid range jumper. Kid is going to ball with Wemby for the next decade.

[MasterIchiro]

I'm not giving up on this kid, but man I wish Castle would have been available at our pick.

Castle will be the best player in this class when all is said and done. He's balling for San Antonio.

We just don't appreciate how much falling in that draft hurt us.

I can only imagine the cost of moving up.

Spurs were not budging.

He would have been a perfect fit next to Melo/Miller. He attacks the rim and has shown the ability to hit the mid range jumper. Kid is going to ball with Wemby for the next decade.

High end secondary playmaker, and defender. Moves in space exceptionally. Reads the defense and knows how to shift it.

2 high IQ guys is a winning formula.

[yosemiteben]

Once again, if you want to talk about players on other teams, please do so in the general NBA thread. Please reserve this thread for posts about Salaun.