Dec 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (31) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images Sam Sharpe USA TODAY NETWORK
Charlotte Hornets first-round pick Tidjane Salaün is getting a crash course on the NBA game as a rookie. And with just 20 games left in his initial NBA season, the Paris, France, native is showing progress that head coach Charles Lee can appreciate.
But, as with any developing player, Lee is hoping Salaün finds a consistent rhythm to his play during the final stretch of Year 1. Lee cited Friday’s 118-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers as an example of the ups and downs Salaün has faced in his young career.
“I think he’s done a great job of progressing throughout the whole year,” Lee said Saturday before tip-off of the team’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets at Spectrum Center. “He’s had his ups and downs, but through it all, he continues to just show great flashes. Even last night, little bit of a slow start. I took him out at one point because I felt like he had two defensive possessions where he just let the ball get downhill way too easily with no resistance. The next time I put him in, I told him the importance of it starting there (on defense), not with the offense. He did a great job and the offense kind of followed. He was in a really good space.
“I look forward to just more consistency from him. The kid works extremely hard, the care factor is there. He’s going to continue to get better. I know it.”
Sep 30, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (31) during the Charlotte Hornets Media Day at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Jim Dedmon USA TODAY NETWORK
Salaün, who is still just 19, was the sixth overall pick in last June’s NBA draft. Through the first 47 games (with eight starts) of his career, he is averaging 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. But his inconsistency has shown in his field-goal percentage, as the 6-foot-8, 207-pound forward has shot just 31.7% from the floor.
While he’s still very young and arguably a project player — his teammate Taj Gibson is a full 20 years older than him — the shooting percentage needs work. To his credit, though, he’s made seven of his 10 shots (70%) over the past three games.
Dec 3, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (31) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images Sam Sharpe USA TODAY NETWORK
It’s all a part of the learning peaks and valleys for Salaün, who is trying to transition from the international game to the NBA.
That transition isn’t easy, and Lee understands there are notable differences in play at this level, particularly the speed of the game.
“There’s a lot of things — but I would say the first thing would just be the style of play,” Lee said. “I do think that we tend to play with a little more pace here. I think the game overseas is very physical, very creative — a lot of, like, creative offensive sets and movement and stuff. So that part, he’s able to kind of come in and have a good basketball IQ. But definitely the speed of the game (is different), even the spacing of the game, because of the lane line and three-point line, it changes a little. So, he’s done a great job of adjusting so far.”
Hornets injury updates: Ball, Miller sit in second game of home back-to-back
Prior to Saturday’s game against the Nets, the Hornets announced that guard LaMelo Ball (right ankle, injury management), forward Brandon Miller (right wrist) center Mark Williams (right wrist), forward Grant Williams (right ACL), guard Tre Mann (disc), and guard Josh Okogie (left hamstring) were out due to injury.
Center Jusuf Nurkic was listed as doubtful with neck soreness entering the second of back-to-back home games this weekend.
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye covers the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. He is a graduate of the University of North Florida.