2025 Preseason Thread

[amcoolio]

I'm sorry but if I was a billionaire and owned a team, I would not be happy with that "baseline bar" aesthetic. Comeon, I did better at my place with a $1500 budget. Like go to Ikea or something jesus

The whole arena is cold and sterile, like a hospital. It has ZERO charm. Can't they use AI for design ideas? Damn

[fatlever]

I'm sorry but if I was a billionaire and owned a team, I would not be happy with that "baseline bar" aesthetic. Comeon, I did better at my place with a $1500 budget. Like go to Ikea or something jesus

The whole arena is cold and sterile, like a hospital. It has ZERO charm. Can't they use AI for design ideas? Damn

Yeah... the layout looks so clean and empty and sterile it does almost even look like AI generated images.

Going to need some first-hand accounts from the season ticket holders on here to confirm whether or not the improvements are indeed bland or if the pictures don't do them justice.

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[fatlever]

Sex
Kon
Liam
Miles
Moose



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[Liver_Pooty]

Miles looking like James harden this preseason good lord

[wilson115]

Really wanted Yabusele here.

[Bassman]

That was the definition of a preseason game. Ugh. Miles is rockin it which we need. Sexton was really good, tried to carry the team (10 assists) but tried too hard (9 turnovers). Kon is doing Kon stuff, good stuff for sure, but hope he comes off the bench. Moose is always a strong motor and makes some plays but he still plays too short and too light for the 5 (cause he IS that), but he’s the best we have at the moment. Liam played kinda well.

TJ is a great kid but shows his limitations at the next level. Tiddy with another one of those Tiddy games…a few moments but largely a failure at most NBA level things. We are TOAST if Miles gets hurt.

[fatlever]

Read on Twitter

[Bassman]

Read on Twitter

Against large and talented centers Moose loses. He has little to no shooting touch. I do like his athleticism, strength and ability to finish at the rim. But Alquiza gets caught up in highlights for his posts for Hornets SI.

Moose is the best NBA level athlete we have at 5, but he’s just too small and has very little offensive game. Karl is a rookie, too slow, can’t close out on perimeter threats, but is an OK rebounder, good shot blocker, and decent P&R center. Plum is intelligent, knows the game, but is old and limited in effectiveness. His hands seem to have turned to stone.

Yes Matt….center is a weakness.

[JDR720]

I don't see much of a compelling reason why Diabate can't be a Claxton level center.

[yosemiteben]

Very fun watch, Sexton is going to be so much fun and I quite like our young guys. I don't know how you can watch that game and not see growth and promise from Tidjane.

[Liver_Pooty]

Saw some stats earlier where Lamelo averaged something wild like 15 a game on 60 percent shooting and 55 percent from deep in 21 minutes a game. I’ll have to recheck. Even for preseason that’s damn impressive.

[Bassman]

Very fun watch, Sexton is going to be so much fun and I quite like our young guys. I don't know how you can watch that game and not see growth and promise from Tidjane.

Agree these guys are fun to watch, and I’m hoping for the best.

Tiddy’s level of growth however, is very marginal. I want to applaud his slightly improved defense, but then watch him make horrible fouls defending guys because he gets out of position. Or watch him rebounding with some slightly better instinct, only to see him fail to finish at the rim. His shooting is still limited to the occasional corner 3. He has no touch in the paint, he struggles to dribble and move, his footwork remains a work in progress. Will he somehow get to a miraculous point where he becomes this fluid athlete who resembles Jeffie’s vision from his scouting? Nope…I just don’t see it. He’s still very young, and he will continue learning. But he just looks like a big kid whose parts seem discombobulated…never really in sync. Thats why I don’t see much promise in him.

[fatlever]

preseason 3p% for anyone with 10+ attempts

Code: Select all

| Player             | 3PA | 3P%  |
| ------------------ | --- | ---- |
| **Collin Sexton**  | 20  | 60.0 |
| **Miles Bridges**  | 29  | 55.2 |
| **LaMelo Ball**    | 32  | 46.9 |
| **Tre Mann**       | 10  | 50.0 |
| **KJ Simpson**     | 12  | 33.3 |
| **Kon Knueppel**   | 35  | 28.6 |
| **Brandon Miller** | 25  | 28.0 |
| **Tidjane Salaün** | 21  | 23.8 |
| **Liam McNeeley**  | 14  | 14.3 |


[fatlever]

moose took 30 fts, 6/gm, 10 more than anyone else... sexton, 2x more than 3rd... miller. by comp kalk took 8.

[EmpireFalls]

preseason 3p% for anyone with 10+ attempts

Code: Select all

| Player             | 3PA | 3P%  |
| ------------------ | --- | ---- |
| **Collin Sexton**  | 20  | 60.0 |
| **Miles Bridges**  | 29  | 55.2 |
| **LaMelo Ball**    | 32  | 46.9 |
| **Tre Mann**       | 10  | 50.0 |
| **KJ Simpson**     | 12  | 33.3 |
| **Kon Knueppel**   | 35  | 28.6 |
| **Brandon Miller** | 25  | 28.0 |
| **Tidjane Salaün** | 21  | 23.8 |
| **Liam McNeeley**  | 14  | 14.3 |


Felt like all of Kon and McNeeley’s were just a little short. Clearly still adjusting to the NBA line.

Salaun… I don’t even know what to say. Just disgusting statistics. If he can’t shoot at even a below average level, he quite literally has zero offensive value in an NBA setting.

[Bassman]

Article on Hornets SI stating the obvious; Tiddy is not ready to be a contributor on a team trying to stretch for growth and a playoff spot. Author suggests others who should get those minutes, but none of them play PF. I agree he needs a G-League season, but who else can really play the 4 spot behind Miles until Williams is back?

https://www.si.com/nba/hornets/news/hornets-should-embrace-difficult-decision-concerning-tidjane-salaun

[fatlever]

Read on Twitter

[Diop]

I wonder if Salaun can eventually become a small ball 5.

He was an overly ambitious pick, who clearly was a mistake, but I hope he can find a way to become a rotation player. I love his enthusiasm, makes him easy to route for but the list of others picked after him who could help the team right now feels like it’s growing.

[Bassman]

I wonder if Salaun can eventually become a small ball 5.

He was an overly ambitious pick, who clearly was a mistake, but I hope he can find a way to become a rotation player. I love his enthusiasm, makes him easy to route for but the list of others picked after him who could help the team right now feels like it’s growing.

Wish he could, but not convinced he has the touch for finishing at the rim, nor the instinct and bounce for shot blocking, nor the body to hold position against strong centers.

[GiggitySmalls]

Buzelis is playing well in preseason...He's already way, way better than Tidjane and they play the same position

Where does Salaun go in a redraft? 2nd round? Undrafted?

A redraft would put him late 1st or possibly second round. This regime fell in love with him….too focused on his hustle and desire (and being a culture changer). They panicked on trading back for him…feared the Spurs would take him before they could draft at ninth (rumored trade with Memphis). I call total BS on that fear. The PROBLEM was locking in on a highly speculative, raw prospect while dismissing other stronger prospects like Matas, Ware, Dillingham, etc. A weak draft, and a 6th pick, is NOT the time to swing for a 1 in 50 shot at a surprise player.

I remember being ultra high on buzelis. He was the guy for me. He could be the best player in the class to be honest. But the hornets never listen to me when i yell at the TV or post in realgm. Much to their detriment. We would have won a title by now if i was in charge.

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