Tiago Splitter recognizes the value of Sidi Cissoko
In the absence of Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Matisse Thibulle, Tiago Splitter tried a poker move against the Bulls this week. Portland’s interim coach started Sidi Cissoko on post 1, and the French answered.
An altruistic player, at the service of the collective, the former member of the G-League Ignite knows how to maintain a place in the defense with his figure and revive the ball in the attack. This is what seduces his trainer.
“Sidi is a player who can help Danny (Avdia) get the ball up. He’s not a playmaker, but he can have the ball in his hands. He brings a lot of intensity and energy to our team on both sides of the field.” described to us by Tiago Splitter before Blazers won at Golden State. “He is aggressive, intelligent, doesn’t lose the ball, so given the current situation, he allows us to continue playing as we want and he plays well. His stats may not show it, but he makes no mistakes when he’s on the field. He does what he is asked to the letter. He is a valuable player for us right now.”
The Frenchman has the confidence of his coach and continues to prove him right. Once again decisive in his team’s success over the Warriors, it was he who sparked Portland’s comeback late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. He even made his coach lie by blacking out the stat sheet. He set his record for points in a game (15), and even scored three free throws, which was one of his weak points. But like he explained to usscoring is not an obsession.
“Even if I don’t have to shoot or just pass to win in the end, it doesn’t bother me at all. Personally, I think this role suits me perfectly, and it’s nice to be on the pitch and be able to give my all for the team.”
With Holiday out for two weeks and Henderson four, Sidi Sissoko will have the chance to confirm his current good form.
Comments collected in San Francisco.
2025-11-23 15:34:00
