Splitter Watch (DraftExpress Blog)

[Thomas82]

Here is an excerpt from the DraftExpress Blog about Tiago Splitter:

http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/#Blogging-through-the-Copa-del-Rey-Part-Three--3120


Tiago Splitter (the longest player profile in DraftExpress history, at over 16,000 words and counting) continues to improve his game year by year, clearly emerging as one of the best players in European basketball this season, and maybe the top center around. His production is pretty astounding, ranking 3rd and 4th in PER in the Euroleague and ACB respectively, 8th in scoring in both categories, and amongst the league leaders in blocks, steals, free throw attempts and shooting percentage.

Offensively, Splitter continues to evolve his game, emerging as a real force for Tau Vitoria, to the tune of 16 points per game, on phenomenal percentages. He shoulders a big offensive load for them, and it’s clear that that’s something that is important for him in the way you see him calling for the ball on the left block. Splitter is primarily a low post player, showing an excellent assortment of footwork and spin-moves with his back to the basket, and a very effective jump-hook he can shoot with either hand. He is a little bit old school in that aspect, really putting pressure on his defender to hold his ground as he backs him down aggressively, which draws him quite a few fouls.

Splitter is extremely aggressive putting the ball on the floor and creating, showing excellent coordination and fluidity, and emerging as a terrific finisher thanks to his great hands and touch. He’s not incredibly explosive around the basket, which may emerge as more of an issue in the NBA (if and when), but with his excellent skill-level and high basketball IQ, he’s about as effective a low-post scorer as you’ll find at the European level. On top of that, he manages to find plenty of scoring opportunities with his ability to run the floor, play pick and roll with the likes of Pablo Prigioni and Igor Rakocevic, and just find open spots around the basket to catch and finish.

Splitter is finally becoming a more consistent free throw shooter, now making about 66% of his attempts—nearly 10 per-40 minutes pace adjusted. He’s not really showing any kind of mid-range jumper, but probably doesn’t really have to for Tau considering that he’s shooting over 64% from the field.

Still not a great rebounder, Splitter has become even less prolific in this department on the offensive end this year, which is a relative concern and probably his biggest weakness. He is showing much better awareness in his ability to pass the ball, though, sporting an impressive 1/1 assist to turnover ratio for the first time in his career.

Defensively, Splitter is obviously a huge asset as we’ve discussed many times, as he has the size, strength and length to be very effective in the low post, but is coordinated and mobile enough to step out and hedge screens with great accuracy. The intensity he displays on this end of the floor tends to get him in foul trouble at times, but this is something that his coach will obviously live with. Splitter is seeing better productivity in the shot-blocking department than in years past, particularly in the Euroleague, where he currently ranks second in blocks per game.

Obviously a high-level rotation player and likely starter whenever he decides to step foot in the NBA, Splitter has a very difficult decision coming up when his current contract expires in the summer of 2010. The paltry $836,000 he’s slotted to earn from the Spurs on the very cumbersome first round rookie scale can’t compete with the 2.3 million dollars net he currently earns, meaning he’d have to take something in the neighborhood of a 75% paycut for the honor of playing in the NBA.

Talking to Splitter after the final, he seemed non-committal at best when the topic was broached, although it’s pretty clear that he would love to play in the NBA. “Right now it’s the middle of the season and I’m only thinking about Tau. The Spurs have some good players and we’ll have to see what happens.” In response to my question about whether his slot on the Rookie scale might impact his decision, Splitter obviously didn’t seem too happy with his predicament, jokingly asking me if I could “talk to David Stern about that.” He reiterated that “it’s a dream to play in the NBA,” stating “I’m still young, and for sure I want to play there”, but said that “we’ll see what happens when my contract is up in two years.”

[Yorae]

:depressed

[Thomas82]

I think I'll take Splitter at his word. Don't expect to see him in the NBA for another 2 years.

[mystargtr34]

I cant help but get excited reading that.

Alot will come down to the new CBA which is due for renegotiation in 2010. I think everyone expects a change in the rookie scale.

[ss1986v2]

I cant help but get excited reading that.

Alot will come down to the new CBA which is due for renegotiation in 2010. I think everyone expects a change in the rookie scale.

current cba runs through the 2011 season (with an option to extent another year after that).

[K-State Spur]

with the dollar rebounding against the euro, he likely would have made more a lot more money in the long run if he had come over this year and gotten through his rookie deal ASAP.

of course, if he's happy there, he's got the bird in the hand money + that situation with his family, so it's not necessarily apples and apples.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Like I say they should just get Bourousis. he has NBA opt out this summer for zero dollars. Maybe is debatable that Pekovic and Splitter is better than him but is also debatable that he is better than them also.

Spurs should just go after him since they can actually sign him.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

with the dollar rebounding against the euro, he likely would have made more a lot more money in the long run if he had come over this year and gotten through his rookie deal ASAP.

of course, if he's happy there, he's got the bird in the hand money + that situation with his family, so it's not necessarily apples and apples.

Is this a joke? NBA is in much worse financial situation than biggest clubs in Europe from Spain and Greece. Only big ones having any issues are the Russian clubs. You do realize NBA is already talking about 1/3 pay cuts for players?

If they did change CBA he might get even less in the new one. I am sure big clubs in Europe will far outbid Spurs once his contract is up. Spurs need to use some sense and try to get Bourousis who is available.

[mystargtr34]

current cba runs through the 2011 season (with an option to extent another year after that).

Really? I need to check my facts i think. That makes things 10 times for difficult.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Really? I need to check my facts i think. That makes things 10 times for difficult.

It does not matter. There is so many articles and statements from NBA, players, and agents that there will be huge cut in next CBA in player salaries. The only way to get Splitter is if he takes huge pay cut. Some players like Scola and Fernandez do this.

Some like Spanoulis and Navarro do this and after 1 year have had enough.

[024]

yeah.. try not to trade him spurs.

[mystargtr34]

James Gist is #20 on the NBA Rights Held List.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

James Gist is #20 on the NBA Rights Held List.

These lists are good and helpful but try to understand Draftexpress only really knows players that plays in Spain. Outside of players that play in Spain they usually get everything wrong. They are base in Spain and do not have much knowledge outside of there. The rankings lists have some very crazy things in them.

[temujin]

"Tiago Splitter was unstoppable in his first game back from injury setting the tone early as Tau took a double-digit lead in the opening period and never looked back.
Milano lost its second straight to Tau as it fell to 2-2 before traveling to Olympiacos next week. Splitter had 13 points and 2 assists to Will McDonald in the first period alone as Tau took a 16-31 advantage after 10 minutes and Milano never mounted a serious charge after that. Splitter finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks to lead six Tau scorers in double figures – none of whom played more than 21 minutes."


I talked to my daugher's coach that went to the game yesterday.

This Splitter guy is a real treat.

[benefactor]

He’s not really showing any kind of mid-range jumper, but probably doesn’t really have to for Tau considering that he’s shooting over 64% from the field.

Still not a great rebounder, Splitter has become even less prolific in this department on the offensive end this year, which is a relative concern and probably his biggest weakness.
Two pretty big strikes against him...especially the lack of a mid-range game. It's a primary requirement for bigs that are scorers for this team.

[mogrovejo]

Like I say they should just get Bourousis. he has NBA opt out this summer for zero dollars. Maybe is debatable that Pekovic and Splitter is better than him but is also debatable that he is better than them also.

Spurs should just go after him since they can actually sign him.

Bourousis is too slow-footed to be on the same tier of Splitter as a NBA prospect. He can play there, but I don't see him as starter material. Pekovic... I don't know, he has a NBA game, but let's see if he can put it on the floor when matched up against guys even bigger than him and how much of a defensive liability he'll become.


Two pretty big strikes against him...especially the lack of a mid-range game. It's a primary requirement for bigs that are scorers for this team.

Splitter won't be a big offensive option. His scoring in the NBA will primarily come from the pick'n'roll and guard play. He's not such a weak rebounder as they make him look: Coach Ivanovic is a maniac of transition defence, that's probably why his OR numbers are down and Tau rounitely outrebounds their opponents, he plays along plenty of strong rebounders.

[benefactor]

Splitter won't be a big offensive option. His scoring in the NBA will primarily come from the pick'n'roll and guard play. He's not such a weak rebounder as they make him look: Coach Ivanovic is a maniac of transition defence, that's probably why his OR numbers are down and Tau rounitely outrebounds their opponents, he plays along plenty of strong rebounders.
The Spurs run just as much(if not more) pick and pop as they do pick an roll. Our two biggest rotation bigs are Matt Bonner and Kurt Thomas...and both of them are above average outside shooters. Splitter will have to develop some type of mid-range game if he plans to make this team. You can have all the skills in the world, but if you are a big that can't shoot you aren't going to make it as a Spur. See Tolliver, Anthony.

[K-State Spur]

Is this a joke? NBA is in much worse financial situation than biggest clubs in Europe from Spain and Greece.

Well, if you're only going to compare it to the biggest clubs, the biggest clubs over here are doing just as well as the biggest ones over there - in fact, our top revenue gainers turn MUCH larger profits.

There may be some individual teams in ESP and GRE that are in better shape than some individual teams over here - but with the recession hitting Europe just as hard as its hitting us, that'll trickle down there eventually as well (as we've already seen with the Russians - their unlimited spending money hasn't been talked about since the price of oil dropped).

[MoSpur]

He sounds like he is improving, but the fact that he doesn't have much of a mid-range shot kind of worries me, but he can obviously develop that. Taking a 75% cut in pay is asking a lot. Lets see here, take $836, 000 or $2.3 million?

[EricB]

he'd make over a million I believe, not just 836 grand.

BUT, he has the potential after a couple years, to make over 8 to 10, as opposed to 2 or 3.

[bigfan]

I still think we can get this guy someday so whatever we do, hang onto his NBA rights, dont give them away like Scola. Sounds like he'd like to play for the Spurs but who can blame a guy for wanting to make more money.?

[mountainballer]

There may be some individual teams in ESP and GRE that are in better shape than some individual teams over here - but with the recession hitting Europe just as hard as its hitting us, that'll trickle down there eventually as well (as we've already seen with the Russians - their unlimited spending money hasn't been talked about since the price of oil dropped).

the recession has already arrived here in Europe and we will struggle as much as the states. there is kind of a hit list, which countries will fold first and many predictions go like Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain....
however, either Greece and Spain will be hit badly and rather sooner than later.
how much this effects the teams will be seen and depends also much on the business of the owners.
look at Tau, the team of Splitter. the company of Tau ceramica is one of the largest producers of all kinds of ceramic products for bathrooms and kitchens and ceramic tiles for floors. the break down of the real estate market in Spain will very likely hit them hard. for sure this will affect the team. point is, even if they still could somehow afford to run the team, it is almost impossible to see the management fire hundreds or thousands of employees and still run one of the most expensive basketball teams in Europe.

and we must not forget that the self-financing rate (don't know if this is the right term) of European basketball teams are much lower than for example the case with soccer teams. (talking about tickets and TV payments). there has to be much more money coming from owners and sponsors. and this pool will dry out quickly in times of recession.

[Ocotillo]

How come anytime Splitter comes up the thread devolves into Kill Bill and someone arguing over European basketball? :nope

[picnroll]

Is this a joke? NBA is in much worse financial situation than biggest clubs in Europe from Spain and Greece. Only big ones having any issues are the Russian clubs. You do realize NBA is already talking about 1/3 pay cuts for players?

If they did change CBA he might get even less in the new one. I am sure big clubs in Europe will far outbid Spurs once his contract is up. Spurs need to use some sense and try to get Bourousis who is available.
wtf are you talking about. You know jackshit about economy. The Euro is tanking big time relative to the dollar. European banks are in worse trouble than US banks, they are MORE leveraged, have exposure not only to the overinflated US real estate market and the overinflated European market but they've also made massive loans to Eastern European countries and Ireland which are now defaulting, and to top that the socialist worker state unions give no room for labor adjustments. European owners are in a world of hurt.

[urunobili]

Like I say they should just get Bourousis. he has NBA opt out this summer for zero dollars. Maybe is debatable that Pekovic and Splitter is better than him but is also debatable that he is better than them also.

Spurs should just go after him since they can actually sign him.

dude... thanks but no thanks... we have The Gist, The Bonsu and The Savior (Mahimni) as our future bigs... When Splitter is ready to come... Oberto and Thomas will have retired so... we can wait...

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Well, if you're only going to compare it to the biggest clubs, the biggest clubs over here are doing just as well as the biggest ones over there - in fact, our top revenue gainers turn MUCH larger profits.

There may be some individual teams in ESP and GRE that are in better shape than some individual teams over here - but with the recession hitting Europe just as hard as its hitting us, that'll trickle down there eventually as well (as we've already seen with the Russians - their unlimited spending money hasn't been talked about since the price of oil dropped).

You are being stupid. NBA clubs have to play by rules of CBA and new one will be much less than current one even this comes from players, agents and Stern himself. Europe clubs have no rules to follow. They can spend whatever they want.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

he'd make over a million I believe, not just 836 grand.

BUT, he has the potential after a couple years, to make over 8 to 10, as opposed to 2 or 3.

In Europe his salary is NET. He can easily get more than 4-5 million dollars net in his next contract in Europe from clubs like CSKA, PAO, Olympiacos.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

the recession has already arrived here in Europe and we will struggle as much as the states. there is kind of a hit list, which countries will fold first and many predictions go like Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain....
however, either Greece and Spain will be hit badly and rather sooner than later.
how much this effects the teams will be seen and depends also much on the business of the owners.
look at Tau, the team of Splitter. the company of Tau ceramica is one of the largest producers of all kinds of ceramic products for bathrooms and kitchens and ceramic tiles for floors. the break down of the real estate market in Spain will very likely hit them hard. for sure this will affect the team. point is, even if they still could somehow afford to run the team, it is almost impossible to see the management fire hundreds or thousands of employees and still run one of the most expensive basketball teams in Europe.

and we must not forget that the self-financing rate (don't know if this is the right term) of European basketball teams are much lower than for example the case with soccer teams. (talking about tickets and TV payments). there has to be much more money coming from owners and sponsors. and this pool will dry out quickly in times of recession.

PAO and Olympiacos will not be affected at all. There supporters and also the Greek state will give them whatever they need. Also you must remember that both of these clubs have entire budget paid for by sponsors. Olympiacos does not even pay 1 dollar of Childress contract for example. Sponsors pay all of it.

Also Olympia Milano is another club. They have ability to have huge sponsorships and can buy whatever roster they want. They have just not done so in recent years but they already announce that next year they will do so. These type of clubs can give Splitter whatever he asks for if they want to.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

wtf are you talking about. You know jackshit about economy. The Euro is tanking big time relative to the dollar. European banks are in worse trouble than US banks, they are MORE leveraged, have exposure not only to the overinflated US real estate market and the overinflated European market but they've also made massive loans to Eastern European countries and Ireland which are now defaulting, and to top that the socialist worker state unions give no room for labor adjustments. European owners are in a world of hurt.

You are an idiot. Panathinaikos and Olympiacos will be able to spend more than ANY NBA team starting next year. They are funded by sponsors, the Greek state, and their supporters. Plus the owners are STILL multi billionaires even in current economy.

If you did not not know new NBA contracts starting this year will be much less. Even players union head state he believe maybe half what they used to be. Owners of Olympiacos for example have already say they would spend $30 million a year on Kobe and $50 million on Lebron.

CSKA can give Splitter more than any NBA team but they may have to cut budget because they have not gotten as much sponsor profit because of Russian economy.

But clubs like PAO and Olympiacos? You know NOTHING about them. Also in case you did not know Euro dropping means NOTHING on this issue. So many NBA fans is clueless about everything of teams in Europe.

ALL players in big clubs can choose to be paid in euros or dollars. Childress for example he gets paid in each pay check by whichever is higher that week by percentage. Players do NOT get paid in euros only. They can chosoe dollars anytime they want. So if euro dropped to .50 of 1 dollar they get paid in DOLLARS. Some things people say is so ignorant.

Also no one realize there is clubs like Barca and Real Madrid in Spain. If either club wanted Splitter there is no hope for Spurs to ever get him. These clubs is richer than what Americans can grasp no matter how many times it is explain to them. They can buy a team like TAU over 100 times probably.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

dude... thanks but no thanks... we have The Gist, The Bonsu and The Savior (Mahimni) as our future bigs... When Splitter is ready to come... Oberto and Thomas will have retired so... we can wait...

:downspin:

[mountainballer]

wtf are you talking about. You know jackshit about economy. The Euro is tanking big time relative to the dollar. European banks are in worse trouble than US banks, they are MORE leveraged, have exposure not only to the overinflated US real estate market and the overinflated European market but they've also made massive loans to Eastern European countries and Ireland which are now defaulting, and to top that the socialist worker state unions give no room for labor adjustments. European owners are in a world of hurt.

you are right about most points (unfortunately also about the loans to Eastern Europe, which will hurt my country big time, since Austrian banks and companies are by far the biggest investors in Eastern Europe).
not so much about the labor unions. in most countries they agreed to a big increase of short-time work models. (and it's a bit simplifying to just call it "socialist worker state unions", maybe the American view, there are really many different cultures in different countries how those unions act. some American unions will look pretty "socialistic" in comparison to some situations in Europe)

[Oh, Gee!!]

it's likely and even probable that you will never see splitter in a spurs uniform

[picnroll]

You are an idiot. Panathinaikos and Olympiacos will be able to spend more than ANY NBA team starting next year. They are funded by sponsors, the Greek state, and their supporters. Plus the owners are STILL multi billionaires even in current economy.

If you did not not know new NBA contracts starting this year will be much less. Even players union head state he believe maybe half what they used to be. Owners of Olympiacos for example have already say they would spend $30 million a year on Kobe and $50 million on Lebron.

CSKA can give Splitter more than any NBA team but they may have to cut budget because they have not gotten as much sponsor profit because of Russian economy.

But clubs like PAO and Olympiacos? You know NOTHING about them. Also in case you did not know Euro dropping means NOTHING on this issue. So many NBA fans is clueless about everything of teams in Europe.

ALL players in big clubs can choose to be paid in euros or dollars. Childress for example he gets paid in each pay check by whichever is higher that week by percentage. Players do NOT get paid in euros only. They can chosoe dollars anytime they want. So if euro dropped to .50 of 1 dollar they get paid in DOLLARS. Some things people say is so ignorant.

Also no one realize there is clubs like Barca and Real Madrid in Spain. If either club wanted Splitter there is no hope for Spurs to ever get him. These clubs is richer than what Americans can grasp no matter how many times it is explain to them. They can buy a team like TAU over 100 times probably.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Splitter is a very good player this is obvious and he can help Spurs. But he will not probably come over ever because of his situation or if he does will be 2 years at least.

This is facts for stupid fools here that do not know facts but only imagine truth.


There is 3 centers in Euroleague right now is all NBA level.

Nikola Pekovic
Tiago Spliiter
Ioannis Bourousis

And if doubt this just ask draftexpress they will tell you same. Many of you here are just damn stupid idiots. Bourousis is good and they will tell you that. You idiots are all the same. You here of Splitter = good. have not hear of Bourousis = bad.

It is pathetic and funny. You know nothing about game in Europe. Then we get idiots that says things like "I know game in Europe KBP lies so and so player is not this and that"..........they are either LIARS or retards because they are wrong in everything they say.

They would have probably argued that Manu was garbage back in time when he was in Europe. This is how bad they are in basketball knowledge here. They must be French fans because they are so lacking in basketball knowledge.

ANY of these 3 centers will help Spurs and can put Bonner on bench as shooter help where he should be.

This is is how it is.

Pekovic rights is held by Wolves and can pay him MLE. He is in PAO now and will probably never leave there. So he is off list.

Splitter is possible but unlikely and even then probably by time he did come if he did will be end of this team. Duncan will be OLD. Forget him for now.

Bourousis = zero dollar NBA opt out this summer. He can only opt out for NBA club and no European club. If he does not opt out this year then he is locked in his contract for several years in future.

If Spurs have any smarts they will get him this summer. Besides he is a much better shooter and rebounder than Splitter is anyway.

[picnroll]

Lmfao

Looking forward to the collapse of the NBA a d Kobe, LeBron and Wade signing up in the Greek bush leagues.

Greek economy will be one of the ones at the bottom of the toilet.

[temujin]

wtf are you talking about. You know jackshit about economy. The Euro is tanking big time relative to the dollar.

The problem is the dollar will never be the money of reference again.
Can't issue checks nobedy will ever cash in.
No more.

European banks are in worse trouble than US banks,

No.

they are MORE leveraged, have exposure not only to the overinflated US real estate market

Some of them.

and the overinflated European market

Not as overinflated and not all of them.

but they've also made massive loans to Eastern European countries and Ireland which are now defaulting,

Some of them.

and to top that the socialist worker state unions give no room for labor adjustments.

In other words, we have in place NOW, what you will have in place TOMORROW.

European owners are in a world of hurt.

Those that are liquid, those that didn't invest into the loosers market, those that do NOT have toxic paper, those are in freaking good position, actually.

:lmao

[temujin]

Lmfao

Looking forward to the collapse of the NBA a d Kobe, LeBron and Wade signing up in the Greek bush leagues.

Greek economy will be one of the ones at the bottom of the toilet.

No.
Looking forward to Kobe and James to make a more reasonable amount of money, and to a few non-US players to go back to Europe.

[mountainballer]

PAO and Olympiacos will not be affected at all. There supporters and also the Greek state will give them whatever they need. Also you must remember that both of these clubs have entire budget paid for by sponsors. Olympiacos does not even pay 1 dollar of Childress contract for example. Sponsors pay all of it.

Also Olympia Milano is another club. They have ability to have huge sponsorships and can buy whatever roster they want. They have just not done so in recent years but they already announce that next year they will do so. These type of clubs can give Splitter whatever he asks for if they want to.

ok, once more I do a big mistake to argue with you. you just don't get it.
PAO and Olympiacos can cry for the help from the government as much as they want, because the state of Greece will be bankrupt. and the European Union will have to save them and they for sure won't ship tons of money there to watch the Greek finance some sport teams with that money.
they can also cry for help from the sponsors as much as they want, their sponsors will have different worries than burn money for some spoiled pro athletes.
and the supporters will be happy if they have some 10 Euros left to watch a game.
that won't be enough to collect the 30 million per you wanted to hand Kobe to play in Greece. (or was it Lebron? I forgot)

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Lmfao

Looking forward to the collapse of the NBA a d Kobe, LeBron and Wade signing up in the Greek bush leagues.

Greek economy will be one of the ones at the bottom of the toilet.

Once again you are person that is idiot.

Greek state, sponsors, and supporters cover budgets of PAO and Olympiacos. Evene if owners suffer they do not pay the budget costs you idiot. Also Greek economy has ALREADY been hit you idiot. And the owners are still multi billion owners.

Spurs is like a poor house like a shack compared to the money of such clubs.

[bigfan]

The financial crisis that has hit the US has yet to really hit Europe. No tellin g what the financial status of any Euro team will be a year from now. Splitter is off the radar for a year, we move on but retain his NBA rights.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

ok, once more I do a big mistake to argue with you. you just don't get it.
PAO and Olympiacos can cry for the help from the government as much as they want, because the state of Greece will be bankrupt. and the European Union will have to save them and they for sure won't ship tons of money there to watch the Greek finance some sport teams with that money.
they can also cry for help from the sponsors as much as they want, their sponsors will have different worries than burn money for some spoiled pro athletes.
and the supporters will be happy if they have some 10 Euros left to watch a game.
that won't be enough to collect the 30 million per you wanted to hand Kobe to play in Greece. (or was it Lebron? I forgot)

You are such an idiot. You know NOTHING about this. This PAO and Olympiacos. If you actually believe that the supporters of these clubs would ever allow such a thing then you are like I say either retard or liar.

Let me educate you. The motto of PAO fans is "Panathinaikos is not a team. It is a way of life. It is a religion." Olympiacos fans is the same way.

There are 4 millions PAO supporters and 5 million Olympiacos supporters. These teams is not just a basketball team like they are to NBA fans. You are not just a Greek. You are also PAO or Olympiacos.

Even the government asked PAO supporters if they would support a 5% tax by government to pay for the club and to build a new arena that would go to club. The supporters voted YES.

You are such an idiot.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

The financial crisis that has hit the US has yet to really hit Europe. No tellin g what the financial status of any Euro team will be a year from now. Splitter is off the radar for a year, we move on but retain his NBA rights.

:lol:downspin::rollin

I see there is still no news in US. Has not hit Europe? LMFAO

[mountainballer]

:lol:downspin::rollin

I see there is still no news in US. Has not hit Europe? LMFAO

you think what you see right now in your Greece child's room is the "the crisis" ?

Greece position in the world economy in the current situation is like Banda Aceh when the Tsunami came. what you see right now are waives like you make it in your bath tub when your Mommy tells you to wash your neck.

I can only hope for your country, that the average intellect of your fellow countrymen is about 10 times higher than yours. then there is a small chance to go thru this.

[Ariel]

All from this thread:

You are being stupid.

You are an idiot.

So many NBA fans is clueless about everything of teams in Europe.

Some things people say is so ignorant.

This is facts for stupid fools here that do not know facts but only imagine truth.

You idiots are all the same.

It is pathetic and funny. You know nothing about game in Europe. Then we get idiots that says things like "I know game in Europe KBP lies so and so player is not this and that"..........they are either LIARS or retards because they are wrong in everything they say.

They would have probably argued that Manu was garbage back in time when he was in Europe. This is how bad they are in basketball knowledge here. They must be French fans because they are so lacking in basketball knowledge.
:rollin

Evene if owners suffer they do not pay the budget costs you idiot. Also Greek economy has ALREADY been hit you idiot.

You are such an idiot. You know NOTHING about this. This PAO and Olympiacos. If you actually believe that the supporters of these clubs would ever allow such a thing then you are like I say either retard or liar.

Let me educate you.

You are such an idiot.
And my personal favorite:

Once again you are person that is idiot.

:lol:downspin::lmao:rollin

Priceless.

[temujin]

Let me educate you. The motto of PAO fans is "Panathinaikos is not a team. It is a way of life. It is a religion." Olympiacos fans is the same way.




:toast:lmao

He might be an idiot and still be right.

The greek state will have other priorities than hand out salaries to bunch of tall people running around a basket.
For example, financing their national debt, which runs close to 100% of the GNP.

Unless they want to stop paying policemen.

And even ordinary Greeks will have priorities other than consider a team a religion.

You dont' ave the foggiest idea of what's going to happen.

[picnroll]

Those that are liquid, those that didn't invest into the loosers market, those that do NOT have toxic paper, those are in freaking good position, actually.

:lmao

[VI_Massive]

1. This DraftExpress thing made me so excited and so sad at the same time. I feel we may never see Splitter in a Spurs uniform in his prime years. If he's not willing to take a pay cut, then we have to wait for a new CBA to hopefully fix that issue. Plus a lot of people are talking lockout in 2011, so Splitter might not see an NBA floor until he's 27 or 28.

2. Can't we just put a sack of unmarked bills in his apartment to make up the difference and call it a day? CIA Pop?

[picnroll]

Europe has entire freaking countries defaulting. Dollar is relative strong, will suck but Euro will suck more. EU countries are already squabbling and per usual will look to cover their own asses. By the time this is over the EU will likely be a footnote in history. And like moutainballer said, I'm sure Germany can't wait to bail Greek basketball out.

[Ocotillo]

Spurs brass needs to fly over to Spain prior to 2010 and have a heart to heart with this guy.

The rules are what they are. He has been making a good paycheck recently and if he wants to play in the NBA, then he is going to have to bite the bullet and play for the rookie scale for a few years.

I think he has pride and would love to play with guys like the big three. If he wants to go the "safe route" then he could stay over there and pull down bigger checks in the near term. If he wants to play on the world's largest stage, he will come over and work his way to a bigger payday in this hemisphere.

Obviously, the front office cannot promise him what his first non-rookie scale contract would be but they can explain what is realistic. He knows there would be risks of getting injured while playing for rookie scale but college kids have been wrestling with that sort of dilemma for years.

He is smart enough to weigh the pluses and minuses and decide for himself. If he decides to stay in Europe, well c'est la vie, we tried, that's all you can do.

All I am saying is just don't sit here in San Antonio crossing your fingers hoping he comes over. Get Manu, Tim and Tony on a plane with Pop and R.C. and go sell this guy.

[benefactor]

I can only hope for your country, that the average intellect of your fellow countrymen is about 10 times higher than yours.
Don't worry...most of his fellow Americans are smarter than him.

[objective]

Spurs brass needs to fly over to Spain prior to 2010 and have a heart to heart with this guy.

...

All I am saying is just don't sit here in San Antonio crossing your fingers hoping he comes over. Get Manu, Tim and Tony on a plane with Pop and R.C. and go sell this guy.

Won't happen, ever.

Spurs didn't send any of their big brass to Spain last year when basically the future of the franchise (legit starting center at 1 million a year!) was hanging in the balance. RC didn't go. Pop didn't go. Lindsey didn't go. Pop sort of has an excuse, the Spurs were eliminated I believe 2-3 days before Splitter re-signing news broke, and there's things to do.

Portland according to accounts at the time sent over all their big brass to get on their knees and court Rudy Fernandez . . . it worked.

Spurs and Splitter? Only account I remember was that while Splitter was getting worked on 24-7 by Tau the Spurs had some low-level intern/semi-scout representative there on the side. When Splitter needed to be given attention as reasonable for a star athlete being asked to take a large paycut, the Spurs treated him the way they do crusty old broken down veterans: we want you, but we don't need you, no promises. That works great with twilighters chasing a ring like Finley, not so much with young studs.

Why RC was sitting around watching the Spurs get slapped about by the Lakers instead of marching in basque country pleading with Splitter and massaging his ego and telling him that if he plays as a Spur the way he did with Tau then he's a starter no doubt . . . I don't know.

Pop can go out of his way from a coach-clinic tour to find Rasho Nesterovic in the Slovenian mists and give him the face-to-face (which worked unfortunately), but a gem like Splitter gets nothing.

[Ocotillo]

That's my point. I personally am in sales and you don't get squat unless you ask for it.

[Agloco]

with the dollar rebounding against the euro, he likely would have made more a lot more money in the long run if he had come over this year and gotten through his rookie deal ASAP.

of course, if he's happy there, he's got the bird in the hand money + that situation with his family, so it's not necessarily apples and apples.

Short term gains to be sure. Our new "conjure a trillion dollars out of thin air" stimulus package and the current rate of government spending tell me that this might have been a serendipitous event for Splitter, much to the agony of Spurs fans.

Judging from his last comment, I don't expect to see him until Timmys career is well into it's twilight.

[temujin]

Europe has entire freaking countries defaulting.

Ireland?

It'll be given back to the brits.

Austria?

Taken up by the germans for good.

what else?
Greece?
What's that?

Dollar is relative strong, will suck but Euro will suck more. EU countries are already squabbling and per usual will look to cover their own asses. By the time this is over the EU will likely be a footnote in history. And like moutainballer said, I'm sure Germany can't wait to bail Greek basketball out.

Wishful thinking.

[intlspurshk]

the recession has already arrived here in Europe and we will struggle as much as the states. there is kind of a hit list, which countries will fold first and many predictions go like Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain....
however, either Greece and Spain will be hit badly and rather sooner than later.
how much this effects the teams will be seen and depends also much on the business of the owners.
look at Tau, the team of Splitter. the company of Tau ceramica is one of the largest producers of all kinds of ceramic products for bathrooms and kitchens and ceramic tiles for floors. the break down of the real estate market in Spain will very likely hit them hard. for sure this will affect the team. point is, even if they still could somehow afford to run the team, it is almost impossible to see the management fire hundreds or thousands of employees and still run one of the most expensive basketball teams in Europe.

and we must not forget that the self-financing rate (don't know if this is the right term) of European basketball teams are much lower than for example the case with soccer teams. (talking about tickets and TV payments). there has to be much more money coming from owners and sponsors. and this pool will dry out quickly in times of recession.

That's good news if TAU "will" be in financial troubles. But NBA also needs urgent financing and making me worries that SPURS is one of the 15 teams that requires financing to survive.

BTW, Spain and Greece will certainly be hard hit by the financial crisis but eastern europe will be the first group of victim. The breakdown of EU is a real threat. I hope SPURS can take advantage of the financial crisis but I seriously doubt SA is in relatively good financial position. I really doubt SPURS can sign any MLE contracts in the offseason and hence signing Rasheed may be a pipe dream.

SPURS may just sign James Gist or other D league players and see how the CBA and 2010 plan works out. I do wish SPURS can sign Ariza or the backup center in Magic for a contract like Mason.

Could SPURS steal a Europe top player? I say forget it unless some teams in Europe just go bankrupt. SPURS cannot afford any compensation to players' club to allow its player to opt out and match the player's expectation on salary at the same time. And Europe players will not take the risk given US is in a such terrible economy.

I do hope some teams will steal Ariza from Lakers though.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Splitter is primarily a low post player, showing an excellent assortment of footwork and spin-moves with his back to the basket, and a very effective jump-hook he can shoot with either hand. He is a little bit old school in that aspect, really putting pressure on his defender to hold his ground as he backs him down aggressively, which draws him quite a few fouls.

Sounds like my post game! ;)

After a few years on the shelf due to bad ankles, I've started playing 'ball again at age 34. In the intervening period, I've been working out, and have gone from 93kg to 100kg without losing any quickness, while I've also improved my midrange jumper.

Basically, right now, I'm unstoppable (playing guys at a similar level). If you are smaller than me I will take you into the post and score over you with a variety of drop-steps, hooks (both hands) and spin moves, and if you are bigger I'll step outside and drain 15fters until you have to come out on me, then I'll drive it down your throat.

Yesterday I player a guy who was my height (6'7"), but about 20kgs heavier (all muscle). I took him outside and knocked down 2 Js, then drove on his arse until he begged for mercy. In 3 games to 11 I scored 14pts on him, and he didn't score one on me.

Feels good to be back kickin arse and takin' names again! :ihit


Talking to Splitter after the final, he seemed non-committal at best when the topic was broached, although it’s pretty clear that he would love to play in the NBA. “Right now it’s the middle of the season and I’m only thinking about Tau. The Spurs have some good players and we’ll have to see what happens.” In response to my question about whether his slot on the Rookie scale might impact his decision, Splitter obviously didn’t seem too happy with his predicament, jokingly asking me if I could “talk to David Stern about that.” He reiterated that “it’s a dream to play in the NBA,” stating “I’m still young, and for sure I want to play there”, but said that “we’ll see what happens when my contract is up in two years.”

Splitter to "replace" Duncan in 2012? Maybe by then the NBA will have worked out something with the rookie pay scales for internationals like Splitter caught in this bind.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I have my friend make video clip for him in youtube since all idiots here keep say he is a joke and a scrub and cannot play in NBA. I keep try tell everyone here he is free agent and he is one Spurs need to get.

Forget Splitter. Bourousis is available and is even more talented player.

Click on bottom right corner of video on icon where it says HQ for the better quality version

XfLG2bYlrrY&fmt=18

[mystargtr34]

Sounds like my post game! ;)

After a few years on the shelf due to bad ankles, I've started playing 'ball again at age 34. In the intervening period, I've been working out, and have gone from 93kg to 100kg without losing any quickness, while I've also improved my midrange jumper.

Basically, right now, I'm unstoppable (playing guys at a similar level). If you are smaller than me I will take you into the post and score over you with a variety of drop-steps, hooks (both hands) and spin moves, and if you are bigger I'll step outside and drain 15fters until you have to come out on me, then I'll drive it down your throat.

Yesterday I player a guy who was my height (6'7"), but about 20kgs heavier (all muscle). I took him outside and knocked down 2 Js, then drove on his arse until he begged for mercy. In 3 games to 11 I scored 14pts on him, and he didn't score one on me.

Feels good to be back kickin arse and takin' names again! :ihit



2K9 or Live?