Splitter's free throw improvement

[BRs.Ganso]

I think this deserves a thread! :lol

54.3% last season

74.5% this season

+20%... good?

[TJastal]

I think this deserves a thread! :lol

54.3% last season

74.5% this season

+20%... good?

Helps when you aren't feeling that imaginary leash tugging your neck back to the doghouse if you miss or make any mistakes.

Bonner otoh has been given the freedom to roam and be free and is still basically worthless when it counts.

[Obstructed_View]

He went back to the stroke he had before last year when they had Chip messing with his mechanics.

[DPG21920]

Before Tiago got to the Spurs, he was regularly shooting 70%+ IIRC.

[rmt]

Messing with things they ought not to.

[TJastal]

Messing with things they ought not to.

+1

Since when is 70%+ considered bad? Damn Chip wtf?

[timvp]

Splitter shot between 45% and 64% at the line every year in Euroleague dating back to 2004. I think Chip Engelland is overrated but I'm actually pretty impressed that Splitter is no longer double-clutching at the line like he's done his whole career.

[Obstructed_View]

I don't remember that hitch in his shot when he played international ball prior to last season. I could be wrong, though.

[DPG21920]

Splitter never shot over 70% in Euroleague? I could have sworn he had some years of 70%+....

Edit: NVM, I saw his numbers and he never shot 70%+. He did in his little stint this Summer, but never for a season.

[ace3g]

The hitch was never there, I even posted video evidence a while back, that showed his form prior to joining the Spurs, let me find the post.

[timvp]

Splitter never shot over 70% in Euroleague? I could have sworn he had some years of 70%+....

Nope. Career 58.2% in Euroleague.

http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=CBY

[Bruno]

IIRC, Splitter had some good FT% years in Spanish league.

[WeNeedLength]

Drastically improving. I don't cringe when he shoots freethrows now.

[maverick1948]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tiago-Splitter-25/stats/

Check out Splitters past seasons.

[DPG21920]

IIRC, Splitter had some good FT% years in Spanish league.

Maybe that is what I was thinking. In 09/10 he was 79% in the Spanish league, but that was only one season.

[ace3g]

Here is the post I made a while back: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5090804&postcount=48

[timvp]

The hitch was never there, I even posted video evidence a while back, that showed his form prior to joining the Spurs, let me find the post.

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That first video was from ~2007. That second video was from last year.

Tbh, I still see a hitch in the first video. The main difference is that he used to shoot with the ball starting closer to his ear and the hitch was a bit more subtle and came at the top of his extension. Last year, he brought the ball out in front of him more and the hitch seemed to make the ball flatter.

But this year even compared to that first video is a lot smoother, IMO.

[timvp]

Here is the post I made a while back: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5090804&postcount=48

Good video finds. It looks like Splitter has changed his stroke through the years. In that first video, his first free throw barely had a hitch. But then his second free throw had a pretty noticeable hitch.

At the very least, I hope that Chip can help Splitter be consistent with his stroke and eliminate the hitch as much as possible. The worst outcome would be if Splitter's hitch got worse the more nervous he was a la Karl Malone's hitch. :lol

[Obstructed_View]

Well there seems to be no sign of a hitch at all this year so far, so I guess the Spurs deserve some credit for that. It pretty much solidifies the position that he should be getting at least 30 minutes a night, though.

[Dawkins]

In his last full season in Spain (2009-10), Splitter shot 76% from the FT line (148/195 in 46 games).

http://www.acb.com/stspartidojug.php?cod_jugador=B5P&cod_competicion=LACB&cod_edicion=56

His qualities will show up more and more the more playing time he gets, he already has it all, he just needs time on the court.

[BRs.Ganso]

he changed his shot style last season

[mystargtr34]

When he shoots now I'm expecting it to go in whereas before I was surprised when it went in.

It could also have something to do with getting more regular playing time then last season.. it's much easier to be in rhythm and relaxed when you know your not likely to be benched for the next 5 games without reason. Plus.. his FT improvement is even more important since he's so good at drawing fouls. If he gets his deserved 30 minutes a night I wouldn't be surprised to see him average between 4 and 6 FTA per game. It means more points and just as importantly more fouls on the opposition bigs.

[mystargtr34]

Dp

[TJastal]

When he shoots now I'm expecting it to go in whereas before I was surprised when it went in.

It could also have something to do with getting more regular playing time then last season.. it's much easier to be in rhythm and relaxed when you know your not likely to be benched for the next 5 games without reason. Plus.. his FT improvement is even more important since he's so good at drawing fouls. If he gets his deserved 30 minutes a night I wouldn't be surprised to see him average between 4 and 6 FTA per game. It means more points and just as importantly more fouls on the opposition bigs.

He should be getting 35-40 a night, esp on a night where Duncan sits. No excuses.

[Darkwaters]

He should be getting 35-40 a night, esp on a night where Duncan sits. No excuses.

35-40 every night might be a bit much. When Duncan sits, sure. But I think around 30 a night would make me happy now. He does fatigue pretty quickly. But after playing big minutes for a while he might be able to handle a 40 minutes night. Right now I think he'd just collapse.

[acoelho1]

I want to see Splitter shoot that 15 to 20 footer and see if he can hit it with consistency. It would definitely bring another weapon to his developing game. However, I'm sure Pop would get him out of the game just for attempting it.

[TJastal]

35-40 every night might be a bit much. When Duncan sits, sure. But I think around 30 a night would make me happy now. He does fatigue pretty quickly. But after playing big minutes for a while he might be able to handle a 40 minutes night. Right now I think he'd just collapse.

Well I don't think the spurs really have the luxury of sitting him extended minutes much longer, give the (un) production of the turd towers and the fragility of Tim Duncan. Unless you prefer gambling on Tim Duncan's health as he tries to singlehandedly lift the spurs frontline by himself into a playoff seed at the ripe old age 35. Personally, I'd rather just take my chances on Splitter handling more minutes. Don't believe the hype; the guy is not a china doll like he's been made out to be by Pop & co.

And FYI:

NBA players averaging at least 35+

PLAYER NAME, TEAM NAME GP MIN MPG
1 Kevin Love , MIN 16 628 39.3
2 Dwight Howard , ORL 15 578 38.6
3 Monta Ellis , GSW 14 536 38.3
4 Luol Deng , CHI 18 688 38.3
5 Kobe Bryant , LAL 18 686 38.2
6 John Wall , WAS 16 609 38.1
7 Jarrett Jack , NOH 15 570 38.0
8 LaMarcus Aldridge , POR 16 604 37.8
9 Marc Gasol , MEM 15 564 37.6
10 Pau Gasol , LAL 18 671 37.3
11 LeBron James , MIA 15 556 37.1
12 David Lee , GSW 14 518 37.1
13 Derrick Rose , CHI 13 480 37.0
14 Blake Griffin , LAC 14 517 37.0
15 Kyle Lowry , HOU 14 513 36.7
16 Kevin Durant , OKC 16 586 36.6
17 Chris Bosh , MIA 16 582 36.4
18 Rajon Rondo , BOS 13 472 36.4
19 Deron Williams , NJN 16 581 36.3
20 Joe Johnson , ATL 17 615 36.2
21 Brandon Jennings , MIL 15 540 36.0
22 Kevin Martin , HOU 16 574 35.9
23 Rudy Gay , MEM 15 537 35.9
24 Carmelo Anthony , NYK 15 535 35.7
25 Jrue Holiday , PHI 16 570 35.7
26 Ty Lawson , DEN 16 567 35.5
27 Gerald Henderson , CHA 17 602 35.4
28 Tyreke Evans , SAC 17 602 35.4
29 Gerald Wallace , POR 17 602 35.4

I guarantee you any other coach in the league would have bumped up Splitter's minutes to 35 by now, especially given the precarious situation the spurs' frontline is in.

[therealtruth]

He should be getting 35-40 a night, esp on a night where Duncan sits. No excuses.

Pop has been trying to conserve minutes the past few season. He won't play anyone above 35 min.

[Obstructed_View]

Pop has been trying to conserve minutes the past few season. He won't play anyone above 35 min.

Tony Parker says hi.