Eye of the Tiger: The Tidjane Salaun Thread

[Liver_Pooty]

do we need to get the troll swatter out?

Yeah if one of us went to the Bulls board with that kind of nonsense we would’ve been banned in half an hour. That dudes a **** idiot.

[Diop]

We like to try and keep it free and easy in here, but if anymore outsiders come in just to troll, you will be getting a timeout.

we don't need it, we argue enough amongst ourselves

[GoBobs]

They want long, strong players who can shoot 3's and move their feet well on D. Maybe Saluan can be that when he is not a teenager.

If the vision for this franchise’s future is a team of Salauns, all I can say is: may the Lord help us.

I think you are probably underrating how easy it is to find 6-9 guy who actually try on defense, decent athletes and can knock down a shot.

Salaun isn't there yet, but there is a reason 5 other teams in the top 10 were rumored to be interested in him. Those guys don't grow on trees, they aren't just floating in the gleague. There is a reason why guys like Toumani Camara, Herb Jones, Young DFS were all super valuable as guys that couldn't dribble, pass, create own shot etc...

He isn't there yet because he is 19. Very few 19 year olds are ready to be a success in the NBA. Unless they are in the very top tier of talent, drafting them is a bad idea.

You don't see much value out of the rookie contract with a project. After that you are bidding vs the entire league to try to salvage some of the value of your pick.

Camara was the 52nd pick in a draft which we had like 5 2nd rounders. We drafted 19 year old Nick Smith Jr, 19 year old Amari Bailey, and 18 year old James Nnaji ahead of the 23 year old rookie Camara.

Now Camara is a 24 year old that is way better than all those guys and he is on a value contract because it is still his rookie deal.

Trace Jackson Davis is another guy we could have gotten in that same draft, but I'm sure we didn't look at him because we are always taking the 19 year old projects like we are playing the long game.

Draft some guys that know how to play right now!

[KirkHinrich12]

Tidjane Salaun seemed like a terrible and shocking pick from the moment his name was called at the draft. It has only gotten much worse since then. Buzelis was an obvious choice for them. But there were many better options than Salaun.

Imagine if they landed a little higher pick to get Castle last year. Then be in running for Flagg this year. Flagg is their main hope to relevancy, but I doubt the league would let him go to Charlotte.

Clingan was the obvious pick especially since they don't have faith in Mark Williams

I agree. Clingan was probably the best pick there. Even over Buzelis. I was just hoping for one of those two names after Spurs nabbed Castle.

[KirkHinrich12]

Tidjane Salaun seemed like a terrible and shocking pick from the moment his name was called at the draft. It has only gotten much worse since then. Buzelis was an obvious choice for them. But there were many better options than Salaun.

Imagine if they landed a little higher pick to get Castle last year. Then be in running for Flagg this year. Flagg is their main hope to relevancy, but I doubt the league would let him go to Charlotte.

How many Hornets fans were on the Bulls board while Matas did nothing to start the year? My guess is probably Zero. So kindly stfu

Matas has a few good games and this dude just shows up to troll - this is his superbowl.

I’m a huge Hornets fan since Kelly Tripucka, JR Reid, Chapman, Gattison, Gminski, Newman etc. And certainly the glory days of Muggsy, Dell, Larry, Alonzo, and beyond. Yes I’m a Bulls fan too. And to a lesser extent the Pelicans as they are the original lineage to the Hornets.

[JustBuzzin]

Tidjane Salaun seemed like a terrible and shocking pick from the moment his name was called at the draft. It has only gotten much worse since then. Buzelis was an obvious choice for them. But there were many better options than Salaun.

Imagine if they landed a little higher pick to get Castle last year. Then be in running for Flagg this year. Flagg is their main hope to relevancy, but I doubt the league would let him go to Charlotte.

How many Hornets fans were on the Bulls board while Matas did nothing to start the year? My guess is probably Zero. So kindly stfu

Matas has a few good games and this dude just shows up to troll - this is his superbowl.

I’m a huge Hornets fan since Kelly Tripucka, JR Reid, Chapman, Gattison, Gminski, Newman etc. And certainly the glory days of Muggsy, Dell, Larry, Alonzo, and beyond. Yes I’m a Bulls fan too. And to a lesser extent the Pelicans as they are the original lineage to the Hornets.

Go home lil bro

[KirkHinrich12]

How many Hornets fans were on the Bulls board while Matas did nothing to start the year? My guess is probably Zero. So kindly stfu

Matas has a few good games and this dude just shows up to troll - this is his superbowl.

I’m a huge Hornets fan since Kelly Tripucka, JR Reid, Chapman, Gattison, Gminski, Newman etc. And certainly the glory days of Muggsy, Dell, Larry, Alonzo, and beyond. Yes I’m a Bulls fan too. And to a lesser extent the Pelicans as they are the original lineage to the Hornets.

Go home lil bro

I’m not sure what’s offending you. You like Tidjane. I don’t, but am hoping for the best. You’ve been on the boards since 2023 vs 2005 for me. I’ve never trolled anyone on any board. I used to post on a busier Hornets board, but I see this has a little action these days. I’m a hornets encyclopedia. I am not happy with the Tidjane pick and how he looks. Hopefully Hornets brass has people monitor these boards. People should be held accountable for bad draft selections. He’s very young and there’s always hope, but he looks way too unathletic. He will not suddenly become explosive. Perhaps I steer clear of this thread until Tidjane has some true positive momentum.

[fatlever]

its fine, hornets board. no harm fellas. lighten up.

[MasterIchiro]

It's okay Kirk. Plenty of us don't like Salaün and see a bust already so it's not odd to see fans outside Charlotte making those same observations without the same vested emotion.

Buz looks great. I wanted Clingan just for trade asset value. Puzzling so many teams passed on Buz. He plays the same position as Tidjane. His archetype as 3&D is similar. He just has superior feel, touch and handling.

Disgusting.

[JustBuzzin]

I’m a huge Hornets fan since Kelly Tripucka, JR Reid, Chapman, Gattison, Gminski, Newman etc. And certainly the glory days of Muggsy, Dell, Larry, Alonzo, and beyond. Yes I’m a Bulls fan too. And to a lesser extent the Pelicans as they are the original lineage to the Hornets.

Go home lil bro

I’m not sure what’s offending you. You like Tidjane. I don’t, but am hoping for the best. You’ve been on the boards since 2023 vs 2005 for me. I’ve never trolled anyone on any board. I used to post on a busier Hornets board, but I see this has a little action these days. I’m a hornets encyclopedia. I am not happy with the Tidjane pick and how he looks. Hopefully Hornets brass has people monitor these boards. People should be held accountable for bad draft selections. He’s very young and there’s always hope, but he looks way too unathletic. He will not suddenly become explosive. Perhaps I steer clear of this thread until Tidjane has some true positive momentum.

You think I don't know Salaun was a bad pick?

Of course he was a bad pick. I don't need a Bulls fan telling me we picked the wrong player. You have Matas who's averaging 7ppg be happy with your guy.

Why poke fun at Hornets fan?

[MasterIchiro]

It's a 1-year sample. I'd rather be the Bulls in this draft than the Hornets.

Buzelis was not clearly more skilled pre-draft?



https://stathead.com//basketball/versus-finder.cgi?player_id2=salauti01&year_min=2025&player_id1=buzelma01&seasons_type=forall&request=1&utm_campaign=2023_01_wdgt_player_comparison&utm_id=buzelma01&utm_source=bbr&utm_medium=sr_xsite

[KirkHinrich12]

Go home lil bro

I’m not sure what’s offending you. You like Tidjane. I don’t, but am hoping for the best. You’ve been on the boards since 2023 vs 2005 for me. I’ve never trolled anyone on any board. I used to post on a busier Hornets board, but I see this has a little action these days. I’m a hornets encyclopedia. I am not happy with the Tidjane pick and how he looks. Hopefully Hornets brass has people monitor these boards. People should be held accountable for bad draft selections. He’s very young and there’s always hope, but he looks way too unathletic. He will not suddenly become explosive. Perhaps I steer clear of this thread until Tidjane has some true positive momentum.

You think I don't know Salaun was a bad pick?

Of course he was a bad pick. I don't need a Bulls fan telling me we picked the wrong player. You have Matas who's averaging 7ppg be happy with your guy.

Why poke fun at Hornets fan?

I feel you aren’t reading my posts. I’m a huge Hornets fan for almost 4 decades since I was a little kid. Yes I like the Bulls too. Perhaps I’m venting my frustrations on the Salaun pick which I immediately hated in June. Was hoping for one of Castle (was gone by 6), Clingan, Buzelis. Outside of stats, Buzelis just looks like an explosive nba player who could become a star. Salaun looks terrible. The kid is young and hoping for the best but I don’t see it.

[Liver_Pooty]

I’m not sure what’s offending you. You like Tidjane. I don’t, but am hoping for the best. You’ve been on the boards since 2023 vs 2005 for me. I’ve never trolled anyone on any board. I used to post on a busier Hornets board, but I see this has a little action these days. I’m a hornets encyclopedia. I am not happy with the Tidjane pick and how he looks. Hopefully Hornets brass has people monitor these boards. People should be held accountable for bad draft selections. He’s very young and there’s always hope, but he looks way too unathletic. He will not suddenly become explosive. Perhaps I steer clear of this thread until Tidjane has some true positive momentum.

You think I don't know Salaun was a bad pick?

Of course he was a bad pick. I don't need a Bulls fan telling me we picked the wrong player. You have Matas who's averaging 7ppg be happy with your guy.

Why poke fun at Hornets fan?

I feel you aren’t reading my posts. I’m a huge Hornets fan for almost 4 decades since I was a little kid. Yes I like the Bulls too. Perhaps I’m venting my frustrations on the Salaun pick which I immediately hated in June. Was hoping for one of Castle (was gone by 6), Clingan, Buzelis. Outside of stats, Buzelis just looks like an explosive nba player who could become a star. Salaun looks terrible. The kid is young and hoping for the best but I don’t see it.

Your problem is you came on here bragging about your pick while taking a fat **** on ours. We already bicker enough on here.

[Diop]

Probably his best game today?

Read on Twitter

?t=7ndhZk5mJkViLID3Lyd3Dw&s=19

[Diop]

reasonably basic play but night and day compared to the start of the season. No panic, just calmly making the right decision

Read on Twitter

keep feeding me hope Frenchie

[Bassman]

And back to shooting like s#*+ in the Pels game (thankfully supporting the tank).

I see progress in Salaun’s game this year. He’s sure gotten a lot of minutes at the big boy level. Progress may mean there is more to come (we hope). It can also foreshadow elements he cannot overcome. My major concerns are his shooting and perimeter defense. After so many minutes and games, his season percentages are trash: FG 32.9%, 3PT FG 28%. His percentage of 3’s within his FG is high (impacting overall %), but he isn’t much better around the rim. Salaun has limited vertical burst, so he’s easily challenged at the rim. Does this suddenly get “fixed” or change with maturity and experience? Typically not enough to radically adjust this level of poor shooting. His form is pretty good so there is some hope. His defense is meh but particularly troubled out front. This “might” be improved when Bambi gets his legs fully developed, but that footwork has got to get better. I see more potential for improvement.

[JMAC3]

And back to shooting like s#*+ in the Pels game (thankfully supporting the tank).

I see progress in Salaun’s game this year. He’s sure gotten a lot of minutes at the big boy level. Progress may mean there is more to come (we hope). It can also foreshadow elements he cannot overcome. My major concerns are his shooting and perimeter defense. After so many minutes and games, his season percentages are trash: FG 32.9%, 3PT FG 28%. His percentage of 3’s within his FG is high (impacting overall %), but he isn’t much better around the rim. Salaun has limited vertical burst, so he’s easily challenged at the rim. Does this suddenly get “fixed” or change with maturity and experience? Typically not enough to radically adjust this level of poor shooting. His form is pretty good so there is some hope. His defense is meh but particularly troubled out front. This “might” be improved when Bambi gets his legs fully developed, but that footwork has got to get better. I see more potential for improvement.

Him shooting 0-6 from three is whatever, it happens to players. His floor game was decent with 4 assists, 2 steals and 7 boards. His rebounding is the one things that can give some insight into his athleticism, I seem him grabbing boards over much bigger players at times where he is able to soar and grab the ball at the top of his jump. I think his lack of explosion on offense is more so a bambi condition where he struggles to time up his ball handling, jumping and footwork all at the same time, I do not watch him and see a guy that is a terrible athlete but more so one that lacks confidence in his athleticism.

Also, do think some of the passes he has made lately shows that mentally he understands the game and can make some reads.

[MasterIchiro]

My main check against him was his ballhandling which looks noticeably improved recently.

Maybe he can become a bench player if his shot hits. Hopefully scouting shooting is a specialty of the GM.

Salaün will never be able to beat his man off the dribble in half court sets.

It's perimeter offense, transition offense, and garbage collection.

[Diop]

the beauty of unconscious confidence

Read on Twitter

[MPM]

Baby steps but in the right direction;

pre ASB 31.6% FG, 28.6% 3pt, 72% FT
post ASB 39.7% FG, 31.7% 3pt, 74.1% FT