Reality Check for Splitter lovers

[arakkus]

I believe I have watched every minute of the Spurs so far. From my perspective we are along way from seeing Splitter/Duncan starting combo or even a big increase in Splitter's minutes. Here is why:

a) One quarter of the season down and yet Duncan and Splitter have yet to share the court for a single minute. Um...thats not good plenty of opportunities that this could have happened.
b) 5th big man in minutes off the bench even recently well past preseason injury. Bonner and McDyess are the ones Pop turns to when he wants to change things up for example new starter in second half go small with only McDyess for big etc...
c) Blair is finally starting to show some life and Splitter never came close to taking his spot despite his horrible play prior to this.

The only way this is going to change in my view is injury or a huge string of losses. Since I personally am not hoping for either I think I'll go with Pop on this one lets not try and fix something that is not broken.

[KaiRMD1]

Good point, we got a system that works so no point in changing it up.

[Thompson]

I'm starting to get a little worried about Splitter. We might be doing well now, but I think we'll need him in the playoffs against the size of teams like the Lakers (or Boston, if we get that far).

[silverblk mystix]

I believe I have watched every minute of the Spurs so far. From my perspective we are along way from seeing Splitter/Duncan starting combo or even a big increase in Splitter's minutes. Here is why:

a) One quarter of the season down and yet Duncan and Splitter have yet to share the court for a single minute. Um...thats not good plenty of opportunities that this could have happened.
b) 5th big man in minutes off the bench even recently well past preseason injury. Bonner and McDyess are the ones Pop turns to when he wants to change things up for example new starter in second half go small with only McDyess for big etc...
c) Blair is finally starting to show some life and Splitter never came close to taking his spot despite his horrible play prior to this.

The only way this is going to change in my view is injury or a huge string of losses. Since I personally am not hoping for either I think I'll go with Pop on this one lets not try and fix something that is not broken.

So, does this make you and others sharing this view a Splitter hater?

[objective]

I believe I have watched every minute of the Spurs so far.

...


a) One quarter of the season down and yet Duncan and Splitter have yet to share the court for a single minute.

Not every minute.

Duncan and Splitter shared court-time against Phoenix.

[Cessation]

bonner and blair vs lakers and mavs front court bigs, lol
besides that we got a duncan on the decline and undersized 35+ dice

id say splitter needs to be a significant contributor if we want to have a descent chance at championship
also wed have to contend with the celtic, and magic frontcourts, even if we make it to the finals

so far this year in our games vs good sized lineups, we clearly showed weakeness
magic was a tough and close game, got outrebounded badly
dallas was a loss obviously
even scrub twolves, gave us fits with their size

lets hope pop has a plan, that involves more than 12 minutes a game for splitter

[Brazil]

I love this kind of threat... reality check...

[Em-City]

haha.. the reality is we could have used splitter against a twin-tower lineup like the T'wolves, and will need his size moreso against teams like LA and Bawston

[sa_butta]

I'm starting to get a little worried about Splitter. We might be doing well now, but I think we'll need him in the playoffs against the size of teams like the Lakers (or Boston, if we get that far).

After 20 NBA games in limited action, I dont see any reason to be worried yet. Blair has already been here a year in this system, so of course he is going to look better at this point...I agree we will need his size in the playoffs, but hopefully by then he is coming around better defensively...The deeper we get into the playoffs the more the play of the bigs will matter.

[elbamba]

Splitter's first season isn't that different from Manu's. It began with an injury and has limited his ability to get many minutes. Hopefully, Splitter just keeps learning the system. He has shown that he has the skill and ability to play in this league. While he has not been brilliant he has shown that he is no fluke either, he has good balance and has played solid defense. Everything will come in time.

[arakkus]

So, does this make you and others sharing this view a Splitter hater?

Which view? that we should not change anything?

Personally, I love Splitter and would like to see more of him I was just trying to temper expectations. I am not so fired up to see Splitter that I would wish for an injury or to have a string of losses. Unfortunately, I think that is what it will take for Pop to make a change. If it were up to me I would probably pick some weaker teams and plug him into the lineup for a few games to see what kind of chemistry he has with the starters.

[SpursDynasty85]

I understand your reaction to all people panicking over the Splitter thing. I still say its relevant, but put this into perspective:

We still haven't played a healthy Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, or Jazz.
And we lost to the Mavericks whom are also waiting for Rodrigue Beuobois.

17-3 isn't important. Its how we look against those teams. If we cannot make an assessment til later in the season, the smartest thing to do is integrate Splitter just incase. Its more likely than not that were going to need him to compete against these teams considering their size and depth upfront.

[rayray2k8]

Meh

[Chomag]

I understand your reaction to all people panicking over the Splitter thing. I still say its relevant, but put this into perspective:

We still haven't played a healthy Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, or Jazz.
And we lost to the Mavericks whom are also waiting for Rodrigue Beuobois.

17-3 isn't important. Its how we look against those teams. If we cannot make an assessment til later in the season, the smartest thing to do is integrate Splitter just incase. Its more likely than not that were going to need him to compete against these teams considering their size and depth upfront.

This is how I see it as well. Do people forget that Cleveland had the best record last season? Spurs have had a 60+ win season before, and it was not a championship team. Yet people seem to get stuck on the 17-3 record. Those regular season wins usually mean a playoff seed, but don't necessarily say that your the best team out there.

The worst thing a team can do in the NBA is become content and don't think they need to improve (ask Cleveland about it). NBA teams are always trying to figure out how they are going to beat you and Top NBA teams study and know your weaknesses.

Regardless of the regular season record Spurs are going to need Splitter to get acclimated to help shore up those weaknesses for a championship push.
Do we all want the Regular season championship or the playoff championship.

[GrandeDavid]

I think Splitter will be key later in the season. The Spurs are bringing him along gradually, possibly due to him being new to the league combined with his recent injury and also the fact that he played lots internationally in the offseason. Like you said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it is the way to go. But I hope to see him gradually get a few more minutes. The important thing is he is learning and receiving lots of praise from the coach and teammates so he obviously is well liked as a player. I think that he'll be fine and be an important contributor, not key contributor, but an important one come playoff time. Next season I'd expect him to shoulder more of the load with one full season behind him.

[SpursPreacher]

Well we have to remember splitter is a rookie and needs to learn the nba.But you can see the potential he has and I hope he blossoms if not sooner then later.

[Man In Black]

This is how I see it as well. Do people forget that Cleveland had the best record last season? Spurs have had a 60+ win season before, and it was not a championship team. Yet people seem to get stuck on the 17-3 record. Those regular season wins usually mean a playoff seed, but don't necessarily say that your the best team out there.

Spurs have been a #1 seed and didn't win a LOB and they've been a #3 and won and so on. It's 17-3 and Early December. Cleveland doesn't have a championship core like San Antonio and even at their best, they got swept by that same core.



The worst thing a team can do in the NBA is become content and don't think they need to improve (ask Cleveland about it). NBA teams are always trying to figure out how they are going to beat you and Top NBA teams study and know your weaknesses.

What makes you think that this team isn't studying. A quick look around the NBA will tell you that there are many more teams trying to do it the Spurs way, even moreso than the LAL way, as evidenced by the proliferation of Head Coaches and Front Offices with Spurs ties.


Regardless of the regular season record Spurs are going to need Splitter to get acclimated to help shore up those weaknesses for a championship push.
Do we all want the Regular season championship or the playoff championship.
I agree but is early December at 17-3 really the time when it ABSOLUTELY needs to happen now? Let's make sure that the guy is 100% healthy, has full fitness and is mentally getting it. He looks like he understands his role but as evidenced by Manu, as a rookie, it's not impossible to become a key player starting in the new year, on the way to a deep playoff run and possible title.

[BlairForceDejuan]

Reality check to the human species:

Championships are won with bigs. Not "Bigs" who camp at the 3-pt line and pose no physical threat in the paint whatsoever.

Enjoy your regular season 3 pointers though. Only playing 1 actual player with post game on a 15 man roster will do you wonders! :rollin

:depressed

[duncan228]

Tiago Splitter understandably a bit frustrated with his lack of playing time (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/07/tiago-splitter-understandably-a-bit-frustrated-with-his-lack-of-playing-time/)
Rob Mahoney

When Tiago Splitter joined the Spurs in the off-season, he was touted as one of the summer’s most subtle and influential additions. He didn’t have the price tag nor the talent of LeBron James, Amar’e Stoudemire, or Carlos Boozer, but his position and specific skill set made him a perfect fit for San Antonio.

Only things between Splitter the Spurs have progressed a bit more slowly than anticipated, and while San Antonio seems to have made the leap into true contention, their improvement has very little to do with their prized off-season addition. A training camp injury derailed Splitter’s integration into the famed Spurs system, and since then he’s struggled to find a stable place in the rotation.

Keep Reading... (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/07/tiago-splitter-understandably-a-bit-frustrated-with-his-lack-of-playing-time/)

[JR3]

I think we will need splitter's length in the playoffs. But I agree.. we are playing well without him and he should be slowly integrated. He killed our free throw percentage during garbage time the other night... can't have that.

[duncan228]

Splitter Impatient With Role (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18121)
Bill Ingram
Hoopsworld

One of the most anticipated moves of the summer was the arrival of Tiago Splitter in San Antonio. Selected by the Spurs with the 27th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Splitter has been one of those names that NBA fans have watched from afar, wondering if and when he might finally have an impact on the NBA. Much like Luis Scola before him, the Spurs played the waiting game with Splitter, biding their time until the situation was right to being him over. Unlike with Scola, who is now a star player for the rival Houston Rockets, the Spurs kept Splitter and are now hoping to find a way to use him.

As much as Spurs fans thought Splitter might be an instant impact player, it hasn't turned out that way. In fact, he's seen little more than garbage time minutes and is averaging just 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in that limited role. Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports that Splitter is growing impatient with his lack of meaningful minutes (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/07/patience-a-virtue-for-splitter-blair/).

"I'm trying to fit in a team that is already made," Splitter said. "Sometimes it's tough for me. I just have to be patient."

"He's used to playing a lot of minutes and being a big part of what's going on," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged. "That's not happening for him right now, and I'm not in a position to give him 30 minutes to get him going. That's not fair to him or to the whole group."

It's hard to argue with results. If the Spurs were struggling it would make more sense for them to start giving a raw player (who missed training camp, by the way) extended minutes, but when you're 17-3 and sporting the best record in the NBA you're not going to do a lot of experimenting.

Splitter's time will come; there's no doubt about that. As Tim Duncan gets older it will be more and more important to have a big body waiting in the wings behind him, ready to take over. The Spurs believe Splitter can be that player, but it's definitely going to take some time before he's ready to assume such an important role for the Spurs.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18121

[concken]

Reality check to the human species:

Championships are won with bigs. Not "Bigs" who camp at the 3-pt line and pose no physical threat in the paint whatsoever.

Enjoy your regular season 3 pointers though. Only playing 1 actual player with post game on a 15 man roster will do you wonders! :rollin

:depressed

i whole-heartedly agree with this

[BRs.Ganso]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18121

thanks

finally a answer.

[Man In Black]

It's weird to see how Tiaggo's situation is similar to Ginobili's his rookie season.

Let's take an article that was written about Ginobili his rookie season and just tweak it a bit and well...you'll see Bolded words are ones I changed and - indicates text was omitted. It's not the whole article per se but it covers the point I'm trying to make.

Here is a link to the ACTUAL article:
http://espn.go.com/magazine/vol5no25ginobili.html

Here is my adjusted article:


November 27, 2010
The NEW Lone Stranger
By Ric Bucher
ESPN The Magazine

It's practically a party on the far side of the locker room. Reporters are filling up their notebooks and recorders at the quote machine, a.k.a.Manu Ginobili. A few feet away, Tim Duncan laughs as he holds Antonio McDyess in a headlock. McDyess' face is squeezed like a sock puppet, but he appears to be laughing too. Tony Parker is next to McDyessbut turned the other way, offering to sell Richard Jefferson a computer patch for "eleventy-million dollars." Smiles all around.

But not on this side of the room. Tiaggo Spliter is a Spurs rookie whose closest teammate, Brazil frontcourt mate Anderson Varejao, is 1,500 miles away in Cleveland. Tiaggo sits in his chair, back to the room, staring silently at his strained right calf, a souvenir from last summer's World Championships. This is the calf that has cost him a chance to play regularly in the rotation. The same calf that has robbed him of the chance to show what he can really do, leaving him feeling that he doesn't have the right to joke around with the rest of the Spurs.

His English is nearly as good as his Spanish and Portuguese, but he hasn't told his teammates about how high he jumped when he found a scorpion in his bathroom in San Antonio or how his wife, Amaia screamed upon finding a Texas-size centipede in the bedroom. He's not about to curse his luck, since all this is beyond his childhood dreams, but his South American blood pounds with the same nagging thought he whispered to trainer Will Sevening after his teammates' shock when he soaredwaayyyy above the rim to flush a missed shot: "They don't know what I can do. They just don't know."

He's tried to show them, despite the calf, limited minutes and the Spurs' ultraconservative offense. The result: a few highlight moves, a few forced or flashy passes that become turnovers, a few startling charges taken and blocked shots, a few costly gambles that leave the Spurs D exposed. Throw in a few jumpers that find the mark and a few better suited to the shorter international arc, and it's not hard to understand why teammates see him as a talented but inconsistent rookie. To them, Splitter is a long shot with a long way to go.

Which is a long way from how Tiaggo sees himself: the answer to the Spurs' prayers.

***

It's the opening minutes of Brazil's game against the U.S. team at the World Championships in Turkey. The NBA players are looking to extend their international roll, but the buzz is all about the 6'11" Splitter. He has lived up to his best-player-in-Europe status against Iran and Tunisia -- beating the entire Tunisian squad on one putbank dunk -- but this is the first time anyone is seeing him against NBA players. All doubts are erased with his first two drives to the basket. After hitting a jumper over Lamar Odom, he scores over Kevin Durant, whose block attempt catches nothing but air. A chill runs through the entire U.S. squad -- this guy just waxed - two - defenders and didn't even stop to celebrate. After falling behind -, the U.S. fights back late in the third quarter. But then Tiaggo hits another jumper keeping Brazil in the lead in the 3rd before bowing out to the U.S. rally. One quarter later, the NBA players barely hold on to a 2 point victory 70-68.

Spurs chairman and CEO Peter Holt, getting his first live look at Splitter, whispers, "I don't care who you are, you have to like that. Wow."

I didn't add other stuff, there was so much about Manu that I didn't want to edit all that.
But I did want to show this part below:


"It's important to get them to trust me," Splitter says. "When that happens, you can feel it on the court. They give you the ball in important situations. I'm used to that. But I don't even trust myself right now. That's what has me worried."


For special players, maybe Pop does makes exceptions. The precedent has already been set.

[biskvito]

If some of us are impatient, I imagine how difficult must be for Splitter to watch all these games from the bench, and then play a few minutes here and there while learning new stuff. As he said, got to be patient. Time will pass, days, weeks, months, and then things will be hopefully much better for him. Time is key here, tell me when he's playing 20mpg.:sleep

[johnnyblues]

But it's only December.

[AlleyOopNazi]

Blame McDyess!

[wildbill2u]

I'm not too worried about a rookie center that coming off an injury and only getting 12 minutes a game--- but is shooting 51% and has a few rebounds, assists, etc to go with some pretty good nautural defensive instincts to make up for his lack of familiarity with the complicated Spurs system.

Just wait until the Spurs realize they have a 7' center that they can actually pass to off the pick and roll. It'll be fun.

The fans and Splitter have to be patient. He'll be fine.

[FilSpursFan]

Splitter won't be named MVP of some European League for nothing...

[PURO SAN ANTO 210!]

Time will tell!!!!!!!

Ftw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[minuzzo21]

I'm not worried about Splitter..I think he will be very important for us..I want to see him playing with Tim, Tony e Manu..

[alucardthereaper]

But it's only December.

after all star he will blossom like manu last season....

[Mel_13]

Being named MVP of the ACB is not that big of a deal. It's not that good of a league. It's a far cry from being named Euroleague MVP. It's like comparing a D-League MVP to an NBA MVP.

Well, it's clearly better than any honor offered by the Greek League.

How's it going Billy? Long time, no see.

[SourCandy]

splitter has a leash.

[sananspursfan21]

Not every minute.

Duncan and Splitter shared court-time against Phoenix.

youre right about them two playing together, its been really rare, but theyve been on the court together.

but they havent played phoenix yet

[Mel_13]

youre right about them two playing together, its been really rare, but theyve been on the court together.

but they havent played phoenix yet

ummmm.....

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201011030PHO.html

[mountainballer]

Onceagain what the hell does Splitter have to do with the Greek League?

who says he does?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

I don't see the issue. Pop is slowly integrating Splitter into the team with the long term view in mind. You watch: when he's ready, which will probably be post-ASB when we have a tough schedule, and in perfect timing for the playoffs, Pop will make Splitter the 3rd big for good. He knows our major adversaries have big front lines (if you think he doesn't know that you're an idiot).

Splitter is coming along just fine, looking subtly better every game to me. He'll be ready by March for what we need of him.

[ChuckD]

I'm starting to get a little worried about Splitter. We might be doing well now, but I think we'll need him in the playoffs against the size of teams like the Lakers (or Boston, if we get that far).

Splitter is soft as hell on BOTH ends of the floor. Both of those teams will steam roll his ass.

1) learn how to dunk the ball, Tiago. They're bumping you off your layups, or flat sending them back in your face.

2) Block a shot now and then. Big guys don't get a lot of charges called when little guys go at them in the paint. Also, learn where that fucking circle is. If you're in it, you're blocking.

[ChuckD]

Oh, and I'm going to call it now: limited garbage or no minutes against an athletic, physical ATL team on Friday.

[TJastal]

Splitter is soft as hell on BOTH ends of the floor. Both of those teams will steam roll his ass.

1) learn how to dunk the ball, Tiago. They're bumping you off your layups, or flat sending them back in your face.

2) Block a shot now and then. Big guys don't get a lot of charges called when little guys go at them in the paint. Also, learn where that fucking circle is. If you're in it, you're blocking.

Well, Gasol isn't known for banging people around and he manages to be pretty effective out there.

And I don't think Splitter is half as soft as Gasol is.

[TJastal]

Oh, and I'm going to call it now: limited garbage or no minutes against an athletic, physical ATL team on Friday.

I think he'll get minutes to help keep Pachulia off the boards. 17 minutes is my guess.

Hopefully Bonner < 10

[wijayas]

I'm not too worried about a rookie center that coming off an injury and only getting 12 minutes a game--- but is shooting 51% and has a few rebounds, assists, etc to go with some pretty good nautural defensive instincts to make up for his lack of familiarity with the complicated Spurs system.

Just wait until the Spurs realize they have a 7' center that they can actually pass to off the pick and roll. It'll be fun.

The fans and Splitter have to be patient. He'll be fine.

I agree. He'll be fine. CIA POP may not want to expose Splitter too early to the NBA world. Less sample size for the competition to learn.

[jjktkk]

I think he'll get minutes to help keep Pachulia off the boards. 17 minutes is my guess.

Hopefully Bonner < 10

Regardless of how many pins you stick in your Bonner voo doo doll, unless Bonner gets injured, hes playing more than 10 minutes.

[SpursChampsIII]

Post fail! I don't think I'll let you give me a reality check. :nope

Dismissed.

[duncan228]

Tiago Splitter (26-43 from foul line) apparently Chip Engelland's new project. Spent a good 15 mins with the shot doc after practice.

[TVI]

The fans and Splitter have to be patient. He'll be fine.This.

[Manufan909]

Splitter is soft as hell on BOTH ends of the floor. Both of those teams will steam roll his ass.

1) learn how to dunk the ball, Tiago. They're bumping you off your layups, or flat sending them back in your face.

2) Block a shot now and then. Big guys don't get a lot of charges called when little guys go at them in the paint. Also, learn where that fucking circle is. If you're in it, you're blocking.

Have you been paying attention? He's gotten at least 5 in limited minutes so far, and should have gotten his sixth called on that dude Gray on the Hornets. This is first year in the NBA, a fourth into the season, he's not going to get called fair period.

I do agree he needs to dunk more, but how you can call him soft with his supreme physicality on display every second he's on the court is maddening. I might be being trolled though.:(

[BRs.Ganso]

ACB is the best national league in Europe, and he was MVP of regular and finals... second in history... after Sabonis, just this.

[etbluffer]

Look, the guy missed the entire training camp due to injury and has basically treated the first quarter of the season as his training camp. I say the Spurs will play the two side by side eventually, but first he needs to learn plays and the system. Be patient my friends.

[DMC]

I agree that we shouldn't change it up when we are winning, but someone please explain Ime's return. Has anyone ever been more useless to this squad?

[yavozerb]

I agree that we shouldn't change it up when we are winning, but someone please explain Ime's return. Has anyone ever been more useless to this squad?

Would you prefer extra minutes for manu at the sf position? Ime needs to play to rest the starters and until JA can return. Not too difficult to understand in my opinion.

[DMC]

Even though I am not comparing the two skill-wise, the same things were said about Manu when he came to the Spurs. It takes a while for a foreign player to catch onto the system.

[DMC]

Would you prefer extra minutes for manu at the sf position? Ime needs to play to rest the starters and until JA can return. Not too difficult to understand in my opinion.
So there was no one in the league available except Ime? I realize he came dirt cheap, but what's he done? What did he do before he was traded? What did he do in Sacramento?

You act as if there's no other options in the world.

[yavozerb]

So there was no one in the league available except Ime? I realize he came dirt cheap, but what's he done? What did he do before he was traded? What did he do in Sacramento?

You act as if there's no other options in the world.

You act is if there are alot of talented FA's on the market.

Give me another name on the market right now that can:
1. play sf
2. Knows the spurs system