KJ Simpson and Tidjane Salaün fuel the Hornets offense near you

Many forecasters saw this coming.

When Charlotte Hornets In the 2024 NBA Draft, he selected Tidjane Salaün with the sixth pick and KJ Simpson with the 42nd pick. It was easy to imagine them sharing the court together with the Swarm in Greensboro earlier in their careers.

With 60% of Charlotte’s active roster injured, the duo was assigned plenty of minutes at the top club in Charlotte during Friday’s matinee against the New York Knicks, and they delivered.

Salaün continued his career-best 17 points and 4 rebounds on Wednesday night with another great shooting performance on Black Friday. The rookie scored 14 points, hit four three-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds, once again showing the unlimited potential of his skinny body.

Salaun joked after his debut on Wednesday that he plays basketball “like a video game” and that his release point this afternoon was all green.

Fellow rookie prospect KJ Simpson was a revelation. Simpson struggled with relentless pressure from the Orlando Magic in his first full NBA game, but pulled off a complete 180 this afternoon. The former Colorado Buffalo standout was forced into the game due to LaMelo Ball’s absence and acquitted himself well by pressing for more minutes. The season is progressing.

Simpson was in complete control for the entire 16 minutes. The exciting point guard was a threat to the defense, tearing through his opponent’s shorts on every possession and wreaking havoc with deflections and strips to the annoyance of New York’s ball handlers.

On the offensive end, KJ struggled with his shooting (1-5 from long range), but was playing above his station among the trees in the Knicks’ paint. His only rebound was on the offensive end (he went behind for a two-pointer), and he hit a stunning dunk late in the first quarter; A shocking display of athleticism from the smallest player on the Hornets roster.

Charles Lee praised the rookie’s post-game media coverage.

“He gave us a lot of support defensively and offensively. He was just one player there all night. I think he’s grown from the experience he had against Orlando last time; I think he brought that defensively and he was trying to find his feet offensively. He was really busy tonight, a physicality with him, another He brought a level of competitiveness, offensively, I thought he did a great job of making sure the Knicks honored him, he was playing some pick-and-rolls, driving and kicking some guys, so I liked the support he gave us on the floor and also just playing the ball. “I think about our feelings, too. It was also a great mental boost.”

Charlotte’s future is bright. Every time the Hornets touch the court, a young player shines. Fans of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Tidjane Salaun and their team are dreaming about what will happen when (or if) the team finally gets a clean bill of health.

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