Tiago

[ChuckD]

I don't hate Tiago, as some here might think, but I do hate the way he's playing, and that is why is isn't playing more, I can assure you. I've argued sematics about whether he's soft or he's passive, but I assure you that Pop sees those as one and the same. He's pretty passive on both ends, and Pop won't abide that. It's not like it's unfixable, but he needs to take steps to up his game.

1) Attack the rim on offense. Don't stop one step short and throw up a runner. Finish strong, with a dunk or a point blank can't miss layup.

2) Attack the penetrators when you're defending, especially guards. You're bigger than them. Show them why that matters.

The good news for fans is that he's going to play rotation minutes instead of garbage time against Milwaukee on the B2B. Pop will need to manage Tim and Dice, and MIL is a much better front line matchup than Denver/Nene/KMart.

[jag]

Already a thread for this?

[DMC]

Call him Triage-O :)

[DesignatedT]

He doesn't seem passive at all, he actually seems pretty aggressive with the ball whenever he touches it. His post moves aren't as great as he thinks they are but he definitely isn't scared to let it fly. His defense has been the brightest spot but it isn't anywhere near perfect.

Fact is he needs more court time if he is ever going to improve these things though, but the way everyone is playing right now, it's hard to come by.

[LeCrab]

He can pass better than dice....

[DMC]

He doesn't seem passive at all, he actually seems pretty aggressive with the ball whenever he touches it. His post moves aren't as great as he thinks they are but he definitely isn't scared to let it fly. His defense has been the brightest spot but it isn't anywhere near perfect.

Fact is he needs more court time if he is ever going to improve these things though, but the way everyone is playing right now, it's hard to come by.

He needs to be developed. We will struggle mightily against LA if Bynum returns, alongside Gasol if we do not have a couple bigs on the floor.

[DPG21920]

Run, DMC. Run away from this thread.

[Hoops Czar]

He needs to be developed. We will struggle mightily against LA if Bynum returns, alongside Gasol if we do not have a couple bigs on the floor.

Then they should have signed one in the offseason. They need more than bigs who flop with the first onset of danger. He takes Ginobili's school of flopping to an all new level. He doesn't rebound, block shots or score consistently. What good is he going to do against the Lakers?

[DMC]

Then they should have signed one in the offseason. They need more than bigs who flop with the first onset of danger. He takes Ginobili's school of flopping to an all new level. He doesn't rebound, block shots or score consistently. What good is he going to do against the Lakers?
This forum has the worst average reading comprehension skills of any I have ever visited.

Research the word "develop". Get back to me. Actually don't, just research it.

[DMC]

Run, DMC. Run away from this thread.
Actually DMC are my initials, although I have nothing against Run DMC. I was born before they became a group. There's also DeLorean Motor Corporation.

[DPG21920]

I didn't even make the connection, tbh.

[Hoops Czar]

This forum has the worst average reading comprehension skills of any I have ever visited.

Research the word "develop". Get back to me. Actually don't, just research it.

He'd better "develop" on the fly. He's been around the block at 25 years old. He doesn't need to develop, he needs to adjust. He's not going to all of a sudden learn how to block shots, and rebound. It's not his game. First impressions are that Tiago is nothing more than Mahimni in a costume.

[DMC]

Look at how RJ's defense developed in the off season. He's never been a good defensive presence. He plays much better this year. Leave it to the Spurs trainers to get him into game shape.

You guys always shoot from the hip then disappear when you are proven wrong.

[DMC]

I didn't even make the connection, tbh.
I figured you were just padding your post count. 10K posts a year is pretty active.

[mingus]

What's really going to suck is when the Spurs play LA and they throw size at us and kick our ass. Then we'll get to see how stupid it was of Pop to not prepare Tiago for that moment. Pop, over the last couple of years, has hurt this team with his rotations. And you can't argue that it's a fact. He fucked up in '09 when he neglected to play Hill for the 2nd half of the season and threw him into the fire in the playoffs. He also handled Bowen poorly that year.

[Hoops Czar]

Look at how RJ's defense developed in the off season. He's never been a good defensive presence. He plays much better this year. Leave it to the Spurs trainers to get him into game shape.

You guys always shoot from the hip then disappear when you are proven wrong.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but RJ was a pretty good defender when he played for New Jersey. He lost his way at Milluakee and was offensively and defensively challenged as a first year Spur. Splitter was never known as a shot blocker or rebounder in Europe. I don't see how thats going to change now.

[ducks]

lakers lost when not playing anyone with size

almost lost to the wizzards to

[Man In Black]

I don't think he's doing that bad considering his rather lengthy Euro season, then World Championshi Tourney and then his really short off-season, his injury, and because of it, him missing the bulk of training camp. Antonio McDyess didn't have an awesome 1st season and at 1 time, he was the template of the Prototypical PF for the NBA. Not everyone is a Tim Duncan or even a Kwame Brown when they get to the L. Many of them are somewhere in the middle with flashes of brilliance and that's what I've seen from Splitter.
Just wait until after All-Star break, that's when we'll see him be a contributor.

[DPG21920]

I figured you were just padding your post count. 10K posts a year is pretty active.

Step yo game up. Bring something to the table & lets see what you've got.

[admiralsnackbar]

Then they should have signed one in the offseason. They need more than bigs who flop with the first onset of danger. He takes Ginobili's school of flopping to an all new level. He doesn't rebound, block shots or score consistently. What good is he going to do against the Lakers?

As far as memory serves, when he's drawn charges, it's been because he's been one of maybe two Spurs defenders fast enough to get back to their key on the wrong end of a 3 on 2 fastbreak. Maybe you'd prefer a heroic block, but causing an offensive foul is the smarter play, IMO.

He doesn't know what he can get away with in the NBA, he seems somewhat lost in anything but PnR situations which seem to be one of the few familiar situations he can get out there, and when he does get a possession, you can literally see him consciously vascillating between his instincts and the system he's unsure of.

It would suck if it takes him a full season to become integrated into the system, but I just don't see it taking him that long. If it does take until next season, we still can't really say we could have as skilled a big in his price range to round out the third string.

But even when he seems lost out there and freeballin' his way through the system, he still displays a much greater affinity for the sport than Ian does. Mahinmi, for example, will ALWAYS go for the block, not realizing that there's a higher statistical likelihood of creating an and-one situation by doing so than by planting his feet and, at worst, getting whistled for a blocking foul.

We don't have a choice but to wait for him to figure it out, so we may as well crack a beer and enjoy our record instead of crying about what a better-than-average, high-ceiling third-stringer we got for a pittance.

[angelbelow]

lakers lost when not playing anyone with size

almost lost to the wizzards to

In the playoffs?

[Frenzy]

Tiago should be shooting at lot less floaters..cmon man u ain't parker.

[Cessation]

maybe next year

[GSH]

I would like to invite some of you to visit my planet. Or maybe I can visit yours. Either way, just for once I'd like to be seeing the same things some of you are.

When I watch Splitter play, the word "soft" doesn't even come to mind. If Splitter had landed in Memphis, like Pao Gasol did, he would be playing 25 minutes per night, and putting up respectable numbers.

Hell, if the Spurs hadn't signed DeJuan Blair, Splitter would be playing 25 minutes per night here, and putting up respectable numbers. And people would be talking about how wonderful he is. And a lot of his learning process would have to have taken place next offseason.

Even with a 20-3 record, I think a lot of people still don't accept just how good, and how deep this team is. Blair took a while to adjust to a starting role, so a lot of people still don't accept that he's good enough to deserve that starting job.

Splitter is solid. He's going to be good in this league, and he's going to make a huge difference to this team. And people are going to be falling all over themselves saying that they worshipped him all along. The Spurs are trying to teach him how to play the game smart. How to draw charges. How to defend without drawing a bunch of rookie whistles. I still think Pop is nursing that plantaris injury, and from what I learned about it, I think that he's very smart to do it.

But soft? That's pretty harsh. And I think it's pretty unfair. Just because he hasn't come charging out like a bull? He wasn't soft before he came here, and I don't think he suddenly got scared. It's a different style of play, and Pop has the luxury of bringing him along at a slower pace. Next year, McDyess will probably retire, and Tiago will take all of those minutes. Maybe he'll get a lot of them this year, I don't know. But as long as we have a 20-3 record, I'm having a hard time finding stuff like this to bitch about.

[L.I.T]

Look at how RJ's defense developed in the off season. He's never been a good defensive presence. He plays much better this year. Leave it to the Spurs trainers to get him into game shape.

You guys always shoot from the hip then disappear when you are proven wrong.

RJ's previous track record as a solid defensive player is part of the reason the Spurs traded for him.

[SpursDynasty85]

I'm not even going to read everything you wrote. Your conclusions and logic are based on false pretenses.

Who is Tiago going to play over? Put yourself in Pop's situation and try to see it his logic. Is he going to Play Tiago ahead of Duncan? No. Is he going to play Tiago over Mcdyess? No. Is he going to play Tiago over Blair? No. Is he going to play Tiago over Bonner? No.

The real issue is that Pop values Bonner's ability to spread the floor and make the defense adjust to Bonner. Popovich has had nothing but good things to say about Tiago. Pretty much all the spurs say good things about him too.

Like I said, all season long. Popovich just hates to play newcombers to the system. And if he has 3 veterans and a Dejuan Blair, Tiago is the 5th big man in his line up. This is how its going to be. Tiago would be starting on some NBA teams.

[biskvito]

Tiago's forte never was playing above the rim, he rarely dunks and one can say he's a mediocre rebounder.

BUT...

...Spurs knew all this.

OP says he's in the dog house because he doesn't adapt his game, but I think it's the other way around, if anything.

[Cessation]

I have to agree, Splitter has too many bigs ahead of him, thats why he plays mostly against garbage teams. Pop wont play threw rookie mistakes in big games, he doesnt have too, it appears. Lets hope we somehow get by in the playoffs against big lineups with blair and bonner playing significant minutes.

[G-Dawgg]

Tiago Splitter = Travis Knight

[Blackjack]

I don't hate Tiago, as some here might think, but I do hate the way he's playing, and that is why is isn't playing more, I can assure you.

Please do, I could use some assurance. Music to my ears.

Ready to be assured! :hungry:

[duncan228]

...Splitter was limited to only 3:33 of game action — and all of his playing time came at the end. It marked the second consecutive game where his playing time was low after playing only 1:04 in the game against Atlanta. Sunday’s game seemingly was an ideal game to put him in against Portland’s big inside players. But Popovich decided to go with other players — even inserting Duncan back into the game. It looks like Splitter’s role on the team will be as a gigantic insurance policy in case fatigue or injuries should strike any of the other Spurs’ big players.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/12/notes-on-a-scorecard-the-spurs-are-playing-defense-like-they-used-to/

[senorglory]

I have to agree, Splitter has too many bigs ahead of him, thats why he plays mostly against garbage teams.

This is what Pop has said. Specifically, Pop stated that McD is playing too well right now for Splitter to get any significant time.

[dbestpro]

The answer is minutes. Spurs are 20-3. Splitter is not going to get minutes. Trying to analyze Splitter's game this year is a moot point.

[Hoops Czar]

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/12/notes-on-a-scorecard-the-spurs-are-playing-defense-like-they-used-to/

This is such a downer. Time to drink a bottle of cough syrup. This is indeed a sad day. Thanks 228.

[Capt Bringdown]

The Cleveland game, was it a fluke? Splitter sure looked good, moving well on the receiving end of Tony's and Manu's passing. It seemed like something to build on.
Now it's clear that Splitter has been deemed a garbage time player, and has been getting garbage minutes...and consequently has been looking like garbage. Kinda hard for anyone to distinguish themselves in garbage time IMO.

I guess most would say our current record settles the question, but the ultimate goal should be improving our team chances down the road. Is our gimmick lineup of Blair, Bonner and an increasingly creaky Dice good enough to get out of the west? I doubt it.

[concken]

The Cleveland game, was it a fluke? Splitter sure looked good, moving well on the receiving end of Tony's and Manu's passing. It seemed like something to build on.
Now it's clear that Splitter has been deemed a garbage time player, and has been getting garbage minutes...and consequently has been looking like garbage. Kinda hard for anyone to distinguish themselves in garbage time IMO.

I guess most would say our current record settles the question, but the ultimate goal should be improving our team chances down the road. Is our gimmick lineup of Blair, Bonner and an increasingly creaky Dice good enough to get out of the west? I doubt it.

That's how you get more minutes, play well during the time you're given. Didn't HS athletics teach you anything?

[polandprzem]

if pop gonna waste Splitter this year

then :pctoss

[jjktkk]

The Cleveland game, was it a fluke? Splitter sure looked good, moving well on the receiving end of Tony's and Manu's passing. It seemed like something to build on.
Now it's clear that Splitter has been deemed a garbage time player, and has been getting garbage minutes...and consequently has been looking like garbage. Kinda hard for anyone to distinguish themselves in garbage time IMO.

I guess most would say our current record settles the question, but the ultimate goal should be improving our team chances down the road. Is our gimmick lineup of Blair, Bonner and an increasingly creaky Dice good enough to get out of the west? I doubt it.

The ultimate goal is to win a championship. Tim and manu probably won't be here "down the road". Splitter is not a garbage player, but you really can't justify giving him quality minutes when the Spurs are playing this well. I agree that it is hard for a player to distinguish themselves in garbage time, but thats the route alot of players have to go thru to prove themselves. I still hope that Splitter can work his way into the rotation this year.

[angelbelow]

Seriously, what games are you watching? He's a soft player? Really? Is it simply for the reasons you've mentioned? "He doesn't dunk, he takes charges" Are you basing his softness on those reasons?

[Calavera]

Pop and the rest of the staff are high on Splitter, they always say that he's got great bb IQ, they see him as a long time investment, that's obvious. I would be concerned if Tiago is in the same role after the whole season, so far it's been just 23 games, so it's closer to "expected" than to "surprise". Big guys need more time to adjust in the NBA, and as we know our system is not so simple, so it would take time but I hope it will be worth it.

[biskvito]

It seems Pop has made a decision of not developing Splitter this season. I'm curious to see how this plays out later. Might go either way.

[Capt Bringdown]

...but you really can't justify giving him quality minutes when the Spurs are playing this well.

So you would give Splitter more minutes when we're playing bad? This would be the best time to try and develop him, when we're rolling. Winning should bring flexibility, not rigidity.

I don't know about "quality minutes," but it makes sense to play Splitter in different situations and combos. If he fails, so what? We're playing well, we can afford to take some chances.

Another reason to be more flexible would be that even though overall we're playing well, Bonner and Dice have certainly had their ups and downs. Why not give us another potential option?

[tuncaboylu]

i would like to invite some of you to visit my planet. Or maybe i can visit yours. Either way, just for once i'd like to be seeing the same things some of you are.

When i watch splitter play, the word "soft" doesn't even come to mind. If splitter had landed in memphis, like pao gasol did, he would be playing 25 minutes per night, and putting up respectable numbers.

Hell, if the spurs hadn't signed dejuan blair, splitter would be playing 25 minutes per night here, and putting up respectable numbers. And people would be talking about how wonderful he is. And a lot of his learning process would have to have taken place next offseason.

Even with a 20-3 record, i think a lot of people still don't accept just how good, and how deep this team is. Blair took a while to adjust to a starting role, so a lot of people still don't accept that he's good enough to deserve that starting job.

Splitter is solid. He's going to be good in this league, and he's going to make a huge difference to this team. And people are going to be falling all over themselves saying that they worshipped him all along. The spurs are trying to teach him how to play the game smart. How to draw charges. How to defend without drawing a bunch of rookie whistles. I still think pop is nursing that plantaris injury, and from what i learned about it, i think that he's very smart to do it.

But soft? That's pretty harsh. And i think it's pretty unfair. Just because he hasn't come charging out like a bull? He wasn't soft before he came here, and i don't think he suddenly got scared. It's a different style of play, and pop has the luxury of bringing him along at a slower pace. Next year, mcdyess will probably retire, and tiago will take all of those minutes. Maybe he'll get a lot of them this year, i don't know. But as long as we have a 20-3 record, i'm having a hard time finding stuff like this to bitch about.

+1

[jjktkk]

Bonner and Dice have certainly had their ups and downs. Why not give us another potential option?

Most all players have their ups and downs. But because the Spurs are playing well, Pop has let them play thru their ups and downs. Whose to say, that by Feb., or Mar. that Splitter starts getting regular min., once he becomes acclimated more to the Spurs system. But because the Spurs are 20-3, I'm not going to criticize Pop's decision to not give more playing time to Splitter. I believe in the old adage, "if it aint broke, don't fix it".

[ChuckD]

I don't hate Tiago, as some here might think, but I do hate the way he's playing, and that is why is isn't playing more, I can assure you. I've argued sematics about whether he's soft or he's passive, but I assure you that Pop sees those as one and the same. He's pretty passive on both ends, and Pop won't abide that. It's not like it's unfixable, but he needs to take steps to up his game.

1) Attack the rim on offense. Don't stop one step short and throw up a runner. Finish strong, with a dunk or a point blank can't miss layup.

2) Attack the penetrators when you're defending, especially guards. You're bigger than them. Show them why that matters.

The good news for fans is that he's going to play rotation minutes instead of garbage time against Milwaukee on the B2B. Pop will need to manage Tim and Dice, and MIL is a much better front line matchup than Denver/Nene/KMart.

:toast

[ChuckD]

Well, he would have played rotation minutes. Strained abdominal, will not return, per Spurs telecast. I think his nuts were just crushed in the first half when he got kneed.

[duncan228]

Spurs vs. Bucks: Notes from Shootaround (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-vs-bucks-notes-from-shootaround)
by Andrew A. McNeill
48 Minutes of Hell

...Tiago Splitter worked with Spurs assistant Coach Chad Forcier before the game. Splitter did a drill where he had to rebound the ball and go back up strong while two big assistant coaches hammered him. He then worked extensively running the pick-and-roll with Forcier. To finish his work, he took some time to have fun and be the ballhandler on the pick-and-roll, with the much smaller (probably 5’11″) Forcier setting picks for Splitter. Splitter capped it with a pull-up 3-pointer. I don’t think anyone else could taking any more drills seriously after that.

Splitter also worked on shooting 3-pointers from the corner a little bit, which I thought was interesting.

Splitter also practiced shooting free throws one handed, with his guide hand (his weaker, left hand) of the ball. Usually players do this to learn to balance the ball better on their shooting hand.

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-vs-bucks-notes-from-shootaround