is there ANYONE ELSE who isnt obsessed with 'Splitter'???

[poop]

for years now, every offseason has been filled with whistful, whimsical talk of this 'Splitter' fellow. every thread concerning 'team for next year' ideas includes dozens of posters talking it up about this mysterious character. and every year, splitter doesnt come.

now here we are eliminated, and yet again talk of the elusive great white hope can be found all over this board. posters eagerly putting up 'ideas for next year' speak with stars in their eyes and hopes in their hearts about this apparently legendary player, whose signing 'should be our no.1 priority' and who will 'help put us back on top' and will somehow 'finally provide duncan with the help he needs', etc.etc....

is there honestly anyone besides me that is sick of hearing about this mysterious splitter character? first of all, we've already seen over a period of years that hes as likely to 'come' as bigfoot, and secondly, why is EVERYONE HERE so impressed with a flatfooted, white euro-playing center??????????????????????? so people think this guy is the 2nd coming of pau gasol of something?? WTF???????

[Amarelooms]

is he this big white dude? I've seen some youtube clips and no way is hell he;s gonna do much...not his 1st couple years at least. Can he even make a jumper? Spurs fans just being the homers they normally are...nothing to see here

:elephant

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Splitter is going to be really good....people should be obsessed with him. I think the sky is the limit with that guy.

[Texas_Ranger]

:lol @ people thinking that Splitter is like the next David Robinson. I think he will be more like Nazr, or even worse.

[poop]

but but but

ian mahinmi beat up some guys in turkey somewhere this one time!

??

[Amarelooms]

:lol @ people thinking that Splitter is like the next David Robinson. I think he will be more like Nazr, or even worse.

Son I just watched some more youtube clips...this guy ain't that good. He's undersized/under-weight and not very athletic compared to NBA players. All he does is make LAYUPS....he is gonna get his ass handed to him in NBA. Calm down homers...he can maybe be a backup PF/C for like 15 mins a game but nothing more

:elephant

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Son I just watched some more youtube clips...this guy ain't that good. He's undersized/under-weight and not very athletic compared to NBA players. All he does is make LAYUPS....he is gonna get his ass handed to him in NBA. Calm down homers...he can maybe be a backup PF/C for like 15 mins a game but nothing more

:elephant

Youtube clips...based on your posts im surprised that you can figure out the internets as well as you have, but im not surprised that you feel youtube clips are all you need to make a stupid evaluation. oh well, good thing he's not a prospect for your team then.

[Texas_Ranger]

Son I just watched some more youtube clips...this guy ain't that good. He's undersized/under-weight and not very athletic compared to NBA players. All he does is make LAYUPS....he is gonna get his ass handed to him in NBA. Calm down homers...he can maybe be a backup PF/C for like 15 mins a game but nothing more

:elephant

That's what I was thinking.
Marcus Haislip looked like fucking MJ on youtube and we all saw how good he really is. So this Splitter hype is just stupid. :blah

[mogrovejo]

Splitter is better than any big Duncan has played with since Robinson was still good. Why the heck do you call him the "mysterious splitter character"? Can't think of anything mysterious about Splitter.

It'd be hilarious if the Spurs pull another Scola. I think I'm bookmarking this thread just in case that happens.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

Splitter is better than any big Duncan has played with since Robinson was still good. Why the heck do you call him the "mysterious splitter character"? Can't think of anything mysterious about Splitter.

It'd be hilarious if the Spurs pull another Scola. I think I'm bookmarking this thread just in case that happens.

Haha I know right, dude just won MVP honors in the Europcup. He has been playing amazing ball, and he's just about to hit his peak/prime (luckily for us, this means he'll never cash in like he could have if he came over earlier).

[TIMMYD!]

Splitter is better than any big Duncan has played with since Robinson was still good. Why the heck do you call him the "mysterious splitter character"? Can't think of anything mysterious about Splitter.

It'd be hilarious if the Spurs pull another Scola. I think I'm bookmarking this thread just in case that happens.

+1000000000000

Everyone though the same thing about Scola when his rights were traded, now look at us making a thread every other day about the possibilities of getting him.

[Muser]

I'm not thinking about him until he signs.

[sa_butta]

I'm not thinking about him until he signs.
This.

Also Ill believe in him when he shows it in the NBA... I dont care what he does in another country for another team... Look what Richard Jefferson did when he was with the Bucks...I want to know what he can do for the Spurs. Until he shows me something here, he is just another guy on the roster.

[cantthinkofanything]

but but but

ian mahinmi beat up some guys in turkey somewhere this one time!

Are you thinking of Ime Udoka in Algeria????

[rascal]

I agree too much hope and hype on Splitter. Just as much of a chance he ends up not much more than a low end role player not worthy of starters minutes.

[EmptyMan]

Splitter gives me as much hope as Obama gave Manny.

He is our salvation.









edit: Yes, that would make Bonner, Bush.

[Dr. Gonzo]

but but but

ian mahinmi beat up some guys in turkey somewhere this one time!

And he ALTERS SHOTS!

[EmptyMan]

lol @ these scrub Scola deniers v2.0

[MarCowMar]

Splitter would have been just what we needed two years ago but it's a bit late for him to be more than a solid rotation player at C.

From the little video I've seen I think he'll fit well defensively and the defend pick and roll better than pretty much every big we have now. He'll probably pick up the playbook quicker than most because of his age and experience in a system. I actually saw him face up and drive a few times, though I'm not sure how that works in our offense.

He's probably going to miss a lot of games due to injury.

[vanvannen]

I've watched MANY Splitter games both in Europe and with his national team. He might be a good addition but I can tell you right now he will not bring to the table more than what Scola could have brought.
Now if the front office believes they made a mistake with Scola, then bring over Splitter. If not, then it would not make sense to bring this guy now, when we could have had Scola 3-4 years ago and take better advantage of TD's prime.
I wonder how many of these people that call so much for Splitter have actually seen anything else but youtube videos.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I'm not. I think he's garbage.

[mogrovejo]

I've watched MANY Splitter games both in Europe and with his national team. He might be a good addition but I can tell you right now he will not bring to the table more than what Scola could have brought.
Now if the front office believes they made a mistake with Scola, then bring over Splitter. If not, then it would not make sense to bring this guy now, when we could have had Scola 3-4 years ago and take better advantage of TD's prime.
I wonder how many of these people that call so much for Splitter have actually seen anything else but youtube videos.

You couldn't have had Scola 4 years ago.

I've seen a fair share of Splitter games live. Sometimes with some really good courtside seats. He's a quality NBA big (not an All-Star, but a quality starter) and whoever thinks the opposite shouldn't be taken seriously in any basketball discussion.

[jdev82]

im not, as i have never seen the motherfucker play ball

[clambake]

why has he been playing so hard to get for the spurs?

money?

[NRHector]

I'm not

[poop]

i feel better now based on these replies.
before i felt like i was taking crazy pills

[poop]

i feel better now based on these replies.
before i felt like i was taking crazy pills

[TheProfessor]

why has he been playing so hard to get for the spurs?

money?
Before this year, the Spurs could only offer the first round rookie scale salary, which he makes in excess of over in Europe currently. Three years after a player is drafted, you can offer more than the rookie scale salary. The Spurs will now likely go after him with a significant part of if not all of the MLE.

What's attractive about Splitter, to me, are the little things he does. Sets good screens, plays good team defense, runs the floor. He works well in a half court offense, and would look great in pick and roll situations with Manu. In the game the other day, he dominated down the stretch, blocking two or three shots and basically controlling the paint when the outcome looked in doubt. Splitter is not a savior, it's irresponsible to say something like that about anyone making the transition from Europe to the NBA, as there will always be a steep learning curve. But I think his skillset should transfer effectively and he will be a great complementary piece on both sides of the floor.

[TJastal]

I'm defenitely hardly even thinking about the guy at all. I think even despite the
opt-out clause he built into his contact, he'll choose stay in Europe and finish out the last two years of his contract and come to the spurs once Tim Duncan retires. So hopefully after this next season at least we'll have a reprieve of 1 year of the knuckleheads obsessing about the guy every day.

[ChumpDumper]

Many Spurfans are idiots.

[rayray2k8]

He's good, but not as good as a lot of people advertise him to be. :lol

I like him because of his defense and the fact that he's pretty crafty under the rim.
He'll help and if the spurs manage to bring him over, he'll be the center that they've been craving for awhile.

[Kafka]

Hi guys, I'm Caja Laborals (Calderon&Scola ex-team anda Splitter's actual team) fan and I'm gonna tell you some info. There is 90% chance that Splitter will land in NBA next season as far as we know. About his skills, he is more skilled than 80% of actual NBA interior players, great moves near the basket, great hooks, ... Although he lacks of exterior-mid range shoots. Nowadays is better player than Scola when he shipped in the States, maybe not offensively but yes in general. If Scola is a 10 offensively and a 5 defensively, Splitter is a 9 offensively and a 9 defensively (by far the best interior defender of Europe). But NBA is different, more physical and it's not the same to have to defend Howard or Gasol. He works hard every summer (he improved a lot last summer his FT which were one of his weakness) and I think he will fix his weaknesses that coulde be mid-range shoot and weight (muscle).

PD: He is too strong for his weight.

PD2: Sorry for my english.

[hater]

he has a good chance to being as good as Scola. That is pretty fucking good.

[beachwood]

All I've been able to do is watch a few YouTube clip of Splitter and nothing I've seen has made me think this guy will make an immediate impact. But I hope he does come over and I hope I'm proven wrong.

The thing I'm concerned about is his lack of athleticism. It looks like he has a 4 inch vertical at most and will be stuff on a routine basis in the NBA.

[angelbelow]

Well you probably shouldnt be browsing spurs talk because this offseason, over previous offseasons, you'll hear a lot more of Splitter. The fact that this is the offseason that he is supposed to come.. I expect twice as many splitter threads and more intensive conversations regarding his arrival/potential impact.

[mogrovejo]

Hi guys, I'm Caja Laborals (Calderon&Scola ex-team anda Splitter's actual team) fan and I'm gonna tell you some info. There is 90% chance that Splitter will land in NBA next season as far as we know. About his skills, he is more skilled than 80% of actual NBA interior players, great moves near the basket, great hooks, ... Although he lacks of exterior-mid range shoots. Nowadays is better player than Scola when he shipped in the States, maybe not offensively but yes in general. If Scola is a 10 offensively and a 5 defensively, Splitter is a 9 offensively and a 9 defensively (by far the best interior defender of Europe). But NBA is different, more physical and it's not the same to have to defend Howard or Gasol. He works hard every summer (he improved a lot last summer his FT which were one of his weakness) and I think he will fix his weaknesses that coulde be mid-range shoot and weight (muscle).

PD: He is too strong for his weight.

PD2: Sorry for my english.

I more or less agree. Where Splitter is really great is defending the pick'n'roll, rotating, closing out, helping. He's very quick moving his feet and reading plays. That will translate well to the NBA.

[senorglory]

It'd be hilarious if the Spurs pull another Scola. I think I'm bookmarking this thread just in case that happens.

Spurs let Scola go, in essence, to keep Fabs-- going with the known over an unknown in managing our team salary. Spurs won't pull another Scola, because there's no other forward/center on the current team Spurs'd be tempted to keep over Splitter.

[senorglory]

RC Buford is not obsessed with Splitter, for one; at least not publicly. His press appearance during exit interviews he stated that the until Splitter plays in the NBA, noone really knows Splitter's NBA potential, and that fans shouldn't get too worked up with expectations.

[TimmehC]

I more or less agree. Where Splitter is really great is defending the pick'n'roll, rotating, closing out, helping. He's very quick moving his feet and reading plays. That will translate well to the NBA.

Music to my ears, especially the PnR defense part.

[Agloco]

Many Spurfans are idiots.

:tu

[Kafka]

I more or less agree. Where Splitter is really great is defending the pick'n'roll, rotating, closing out, helping. He's very quick moving his feet and reading plays. That will translate well to the NBA.

I agree. Caja Laboral's coach Dusko Ivanovic uses to set an automatical switches defense when Tiago is playing and he defends perfectly SG or SF players. He is too too fast and has a great side displacement, besides he has a great Basketball IQ.

The biggest trouble I see is that he might be little bit undersized to defend centers and I don't see him playing PF until he gets an efficient mid-range shoot.

[spursfan1000]

I'm not obsessed with Splitter, I don't even think that he will be a big offseason move if we get him this off season, but then again I don't know much about him...maybe a mahammi 2.0?

[TD 21]

Ultimately, Splitter needs to be Duncan's primary front court partner. If they want to bring him along slowly and start McDyess at the start of the season, fine, I'm all for that. But around the All-Star break, Splitter should eventually take over.

I'd rather have a long, mobile, defensive minded big to pair with Duncan than a shooting big. It's not a bad thing to have, but to act like he can't succeed without it it a myth. Did everyone forget Nesterovic, Elson, Horry and Oberto and the success the Spurs had with them? This move would also allow Duncan to play outside more and take more mid range shots, which Pop wanted him doing two seasons ago. Allowing him to not have to bang down low offensively and protect the rim singlehandedly is far more important than having a big next to him who can shoot.

McDyess prefers to come off the bench, it's easier to monitor a players minutes off the bench and he along with Ginobili, Blair and Bell or someone of that ilk, would theoretically provide the Spurs with a strong bench. Also, he'd provide a shooting big and tough post defender next to Blair, which he could use.

[CP48107]

I have been hoping that Splitter can come over. But if I am not mistaken, I think he played back up center for Anderson Varejao in multiple international tournament. This is scary, because Varejao is in no way a NBA star.

Hopefully Splitter won't turn into Mahinmi #2.

[Blackjack]

I agree. Caja Laboral's coach Dusko Ivanovic uses to set an automatical switches defense when Tiago is playing and he defends perfectly SG or SF players. He is too too fast and has a great side displacement, besides he has a great Basketball IQ.

The biggest trouble I see is that he might be little bit undersized to defend centers and I don't see him playing PF until he gets an efficient mid-range shoot.

Welcome to the board. :toast

I've seen quite a bit of Tiago over the years (not as much recently) and have my own opinions (I like him and expect him to be a solid rotation big and possibly a legit No. 2 Big) but I'd like to hear who you think he compares to (past or present in the NBA)?

R.C. made mention of Varejao and while there's somewhat of a comparison to be made, I just don't see that as a great comparison; Tiago's more talented but Varejao's much more of a blue-collar player and an active irritant than Tiago in my eyes.

So who would you compare him to (and feel free to say a couple of people if there are aspects of different players you see)?

[jason1301]

the things that I like about splitter are is that he has a good chance of being as good as Scola is, he is not going to cost a lot of money, and he does NOT choke when the game is on the line.

[HankChinaski]

I like to start my mornings with a nice little dose of think tank splitter in the forums and speculate with my daily mock signing for the off season and after lunch I commence on dropping a double deuce with my laptop along as I proceed to view youtube clip after youtube clip of Tiago THEN finish off the afternoon into the early evening crocheting my Tiago Splitter ones'ee and call it a night tossing my clothes awkwardly half hook half something else into the hamper and call it a day and look forward to commencing the process all over again the next day.

I mean that doesn't make me OBSESSED. Because everyone else does this too ya?

[BackHome]

How can anyone compare Splitter to Ian? As far as getting Splitter that would be a huge improvment for the Spurs to have a legit seven footer guarding the paint next to Duncan. If he doesn't come then we are screwed because another season without a good big man means another early fishing tournament.

[ploto]

Overall, I think he can have about the same impact that Rasho did which 6 years ago people hated but looks pretty good about now.

[silverblk mystix]

Spurs let Scola go, in essence, to keep Fabs-- going with the known over an unknown in managing our team salary. Spurs won't pull another Scola, because there's no other forward/center on the current team Spurs'd be tempted to keep over Splitter.

watch Pops keep BONNER and not get Splitter ::lmao

[Sisk]

Can't really get too excited until I see him play in the NBA, but anyone who's against getting a big guy who could help is a bit crazy.

[ChumpDumper]

Overall, I think he can have about the same impact that Rasho did which 6 years ago people hated but looks pretty good about now.Rasho was slow.

Really slow.

Now Duncan is slow.

Splitter is quicker.

[BackHome]

Rasho was slow.

Really slow.

Now Duncan is slow.

Splitter is quicker.

The the biggest issue with Rasho is that he played without passion while watching Splitter you can tell he cares if his team wins or looses. I think that one things we need more of and that are players like Manu who you can tell take it personal if they win or loose....Thats one reason I am not sold on Hairston he just looks and plays like a robot....

[ChumpDumper]

Eh, Rasho was stoic. He cared.

He was just really slow.

[Ginnoobbllee]

What is the timing of the Spurs negotiating with Splitter? When will we know whether or not he is coming over? I must admit I don't know what the Euroleague schedule is.

I guess that qualifies me as not being obsessed with him.
:downspin:

[bigfan]

Hell, I wish we could get Splitter AND Javtokas.

[UnWantedTheory]

Even if he is good, it still wont put us over the top.

[admiralsnackbar]

Even if he is good, it still wont put us over the top.

It'll get us closer than not having any prospects at the 4-5 position. Getting a skilled big that can play alongside Duncan or Blair using (probably) less than the MLE is pretty awesome.

[spursfaninla]

Even if he is good, it still wont put us over the top.

2 questions then.

1) Who would put us over the top?

2) How do we get this new acquisition without giving up something else that would then bring us again below this "top?"

Splitter comes without giving anything up, instantly becomes (probably) the 2nd best post player on the team, and is bigger than blair. What is not be to happy about?

[Russ]

Duncan needs to return the favor and pull a DRob trip from Hawaii. When the Admiral reversed the Orlando magic.

Duncan needs to head to Spain.

Right now, baby.

Pronto. :)

[angelbelow]

2 questions then.

1) Who would put us over the top?

2) How do we get this new acquisition without giving up something else that would then bring us again below this "top?"

Splitter comes without giving anything up, instantly becomes (probably) the 2nd best post player on the team, and is bigger than blair. What is not be to happy about?

For what its worth, I believe he would put us over the top and at least help us contend for one more.

[barbacoataco]

For what its worth, I believe he would put us over the top and at least help us contend for one more.

If the Spurs add Splitter and somehow exchange RJ for a SF who is a better fit, they might be back in it. As long as everyone stays healthy, which is always a big part of it.

[EricB]

Who should we be excited for?

[smrattler]

Won't even compile an opinion of him and what he can/can't do for us until he signs with us.

Don't think he will be on our team. Ever. He's had success in Europe already, someone there will shower him with money. End of story.

[Kafka]

Welcome to the board. :toast

I've seen quite a bit of Tiago over the years (not as much recently) and have my own opinions (I like him and expect him to be a solid rotation big and possibly a legit No. 2 Big) but I'd like to hear who you think he compares to (past or present in the NBA)?

R.C. made mention of Varejao and while there's somewhat of a comparison to be made, I just don't see that as a great comparison; Tiago's more talented but Varejao's much more of a blue-collar player and an active irritant than Tiago in my eyes.

So who would you compare him to (and feel free to say a couple of people if there are aspects of different players you see)?

Offensively he has most of the moves Scola has near the rim. He doesn't "dance" like Scola but last 2 years we are watching a second version of Scola. Splitter hasn't a mid-range shoot so in Europe all defenses closes a lot openning several perimeter options. 1v1 it's almost indefensible by european guys, they always need 2v1 and watching NBA interior guys which are specially athletical and no technical, I think he will win the most of 1v1 near the rim. But in NBA having not a mid-range shoot will difficult him things a lot but Scola wasn't a good jump shooter neither. He is a hard worker and I have no doubt that he will improve that. Also, Scola fears the contact always, in Europe at least, Splitter has huge balls and he doesn`t cares to fight with bigger guys.

EDIT: I want to add that this year he has show an incredible skill passing the ball. Not as much as Pau, for example, but if he fits with Duncan, Blair and McDyess you will watch almost pornography under the rims. xD

Deffensively he could be something like Varejao. Maybe undersized for his position but very very quick, huge IQ and even his lack of weight he is too strong. He is not going to stop Howard but Bynum, Amare, Marc Gasol, ... will be in trouble to score in front of him. He is better player, by far, than Varejao.


EDIT2: For those who think that Splitter will not ship in the States this summer, Caja Laboral is looking for his substitute already. The GM said that the only chances of Splitter are going to Spurs or staying here, and we don't think than he will stay with us anymore. Europe has become very little for him, he should go to NBA. He must, and he knows.