What's New for 2010-11: The Rookies: #7: Splitter

[duncan228]

What's New for 2010-11: The Rookies (http://www.nba.com/news/features/rookies/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1)
By Drew Packham, NBA.com

7. Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs

Background:
The Spurs have been waiting three years for Splitter, since taking the Brazilian center with the 28th pick in the 2007 Draft. The 6-foot-11, 232-pound center has spent the last three seasons in Spain, playing for Saski Baskonia and honing his game, eventually being named MVP of the Spanish League before signing a three-year deal with the Spurs this summer.

What He Brings:
Splitter isn't a bruising presence down low, but he can run the floor and will be a good complement to Tim Duncan in the post. Splitter is hardly a rookie, having played at the highest level in Spain and with the Brazilian national team, so he won't be intimidated by the NBA. He has the ability to knock down the 15-footer and with teams focusing on Duncan should be able to get some easy putbacks.

Outlook:
Splitter has been dealing with a calf injury and hasn't played in the preseason (and may not be ready for the start of the season), but when healthy he should see about 20-25 minutes per game. Splitter has drawn praise from teammates, most notably Antonio McDyess (with whom he's battling for playing time) for his ability to pick up the offense and a rookie campaign of double-digit scoring wouldn't be a surprise.

*********************

The rest of the top ten.

1. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
2. John Wall, Washington Wizards
3. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
4. Evan Turner, Philadelphia Sixers
5. Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Derrick Favors, New Jersey Nets
8. Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons
9. Timofey Mozgov, New York Knicks
10. Omer Asik, Chicago Bulls

[cheguevara]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/395/290/TiagoSplitter_display_image.jpg

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

I thought he played for Tau Ceramica?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Nonetheless, I can't wait for him to hit the floor. My gut feeling is that when he starts playing, we're gonna look back and think we were underrating him.

[Texas_Ranger]

I thought he played for Tau Ceramica?

They've got a new name for 2 or 3 years now. They are Caja Laboral or Saski Bastonia.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

They've got a new name for 2 or 3 years now. They are Caja Laboral or Saski Bastonia.

You mean the name is always changing between the two?

[Texas_Ranger]

You mean the name is always changing between the two?

I heard ''Saski Baskokina'' first time in this thread. Most of the time they are just Caja Laboral.

And a lot of teams in Europe have this names which are just their sponsor. Caja Laboral is a major bank. It's like your main sponsor gives your club a name.

[Rummpd]

Typical Spurs player - starts out under-rated. He will be more valuable in the end to the Spurs than arguebly anyone above except perhaps Griffin or Wall.

[xtremesteven33]

A Splitter and Duncan combo is going to be great to watch. Only time will tell how good they will get but my gut feeling is that they are going to be just as good as the Gasol/Bynum combo

[sa_butta]

The anticipation for this guy is insane, just hope he lives up to the expectations of Spurs fans.

[bigdog]

I think he'll be a solid role player. The thing with some fans is that they think he's going to come in and be a 20ppg 10rpg 2bpg guy, but that's not his style. He does all the dirty work, runs the floor, guards the pick and roll fairly well, most of his offense comes from putbacks and weird shots, etc. He's not going to be a superstar in this league. That being said, I hope he just hustles, grabs some rebounds, plays at least some decent defense, and scores when needed to.

[ogait]

You mean the name is always changing between the two?

The club name is Saski Baskonia. Tau Ceramica and since 2009 Caja Laboral is the name of the Sponsors, so outside of Spain the club ends up being know for their sponsors name and not so much by the actual club name.

[lefty]

Typical Spurs player - starts out under-rated. He will be more valuable in the end to the Spurs than arguebly anyone above except perhaps Griffin or Wall.
Yep

But unlike TP, Manu, Blair, the expectations toward Tiago are higher.

He has a bit more pressure than our other steals

[wildbill2u]

Both these guys can pass and catch. And Splitter has the advantage of being more mobile and with a better shot than Oberto. The pick and roll with these two 7 footers should be a thing of beauty to watch.

[DesignatedT]

Ready to see him in action already.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

The things that Tiago does well on the basketball court are going to enable him to be a big time contributor for the Spurs. His ability to play pick n roll offense, energy on both sides of the court and he is a great passer. I have not been this excited about a new Spurs player since Tim Duncan.

[Solid D]

They've got a new name for 2 or 3 years now. They are Caja Laboral or Saski Bastonia.

It may seem like that but, actually, only for a year. They were sponsored in Vitoria by Tau Ceramica for 23 years. Due to the economic and construction crisis, they changed sponsors so now it is Caja Laboral in Vitoria for at least the next 4 years (2013).

The same in Valencia, Spain with it changing from Pamesa (another ceramic tile/coverings company) to Power Electronics in 2009.

[Manufan909]

Lol at Koozan being ahead of Splitter.

[gospursgojas]

Who is this...SPLITTER???

[ynh]

Typical Spurs player - starts out under-rated. He will be more valuable in the end to the Spurs than arguebly anyone above except perhaps Griffin or Wall.

Dumb over-exagerated comment of the night

[spectator]

the turner pick in the top 10 is ridiculous. has this guy seen the summer league or the preseason? are the legally/semi/half blind? wth man? this guy is a reserve right now who might help them in the next 2-3 years, but right now his game is not there.

wow, just wow

[EricB]

He hasn't played a single minute in the NBA and he's that highly ranked?


Expectations are wayyy too high.

[pad300]

He hasn't played a single minute in the NBA and he's that highly ranked?


Expectations are wayyy too high.

Nobody else on the list has played a regular season NBA minute either...

[nkdlunch]

Nobody else on the list has played a regular season NBA minute either...

:lol

I was gonna say the same thing

:bang

[DrSteffo]

Nobody else on the list has played a regular season NBA minute either...

You have a good point Sir.

I really like Wes Johnson among the rookies. Smooth and let's the game come to him.

[benefactor]

The anticipation for this guy is insane, just hope he lives up to the expectations of Spurs fans.
I wouldn't hold onto much hope. If he doesn't average 20/15 right off the bat then Spur fan will have smoke pouring out of the trade machine.

[mingus]

Can't wait. a lot of things can change this year (hopefully for the better) and he's one of the reasons.