Tiago Splitter is a better defender than Tim Duncan. Period.

[Gino-Step]

Tim Duncan > Tiago Splitter at playing defense on his man. He's exceptional 1 on 1 in the post and is a good help defender if his man is near him in the post. Cool but the NBA is not 1 on 1 or 2 on 2 and coaches aren't stupid.

Tiago Splitter >>>>> Tim Duncan at playing defense against NBA offenses.

Why?
Smart coaches will not try to post up Tim Duncan as their offensive strategy. Why do that when you can pick and roll him to death? So the more I run plays that draws on Tim Duncan's severe weaknesses at this point in his career, the worse Tim Duncan's defense is. This is an obvious strategy.

Splitter being 7'0 and also mobile. There is not 1 obvious strategy to beat him. Yeah you can post him up perhaps but it's not nearly as efficient as trying to take on Tim Duncan on a pick and roll.

If the offense doesn't adjust their plan, then sure Tim Duncan by virtue of teams not trying to exploit him is better at traditional defense than Splitter. But his short comings are far greater than Splitter and thus in the Playoffs where teams dissect everything, Splitter is a better defender. Period. So is Diaw but I digress.

Spurs best chance if they meet Miami is to play Splitter / Diaw. Duncan can give you something against Memphis but not against Miami. We were so much better against the Warriors, that the Spurs survived giving Duncan the minutes we gave him but that margin of error isn't there against Miami. The season's struggles since February is directly linked to Duncan not being the same post injury / being worn out / no longer mobile / teams attacking him / he's playing with an injury.

Wade / LeBron will attack Duncan on PnR, Chris Bosh's perimeter game is not for Tim Duncan to defend. And Tim at this stage in his career cannot make Bosh or Chris Anderson Pay enough in the post. Miami will take that all day. Green and Kawhi on Wade and LeBron + Diaw and Splitter as your mobile switch off PnR = Championship.

[spursince#99]

better mobile defender and that's where the debate ends, tbh

[benefactor]

:lol

[rascal]

Splitter will be on the bench with foul trouble in this series.

[Kidd K]

No he isn't. Stop being a troll man.

[Gino-Step]

http://www.sbnation.com/2013/5/17/4339328/tim-duncan-benched-spurs-warriors-nba-playoffs

[DarrinS]

Stop creating shitty threads

[SouthernFried]

Splitter is younger and moves better because of it. That can be useful, as Pop showed us in game 6.

Coming out and saying Splitter is a better defender, period....is an incredible stupid thing to say. However, I just realized this poster has 31 posts...and I just wasted 2 minutes of my life writing this.

[ohmwrecker]

That's a lot of work for a shitty troll job.

[spurraider21]

Timmy is a better post defender as evidenced by his defensive rating. He's also a better rim protector as evidenced by his shot blocking numbers. That said, Tiago is definitely more mobile, which came into play in the Warriors series since they don't really post anybody up. Bogut has become a glorified Perkins the way the Warriors use him (with his awesome screen setting) and David Lee is just a better Carl Landry who likes to take jumpers/face up. Timmy's D will shine more in this series, and we have to hope Tiago plays tough like he did in some of our regular season meetings with the Grizz.

[Gino-Step]

Timmy is a better post defender as evidenced by his defensive rating. He's also a better rim protector as evidenced by his shot blocking numbers. That said, Tiago is definitely more mobile, which came into play in the Warriors series since they don't really post anybody up. Bogut has become a glorified Perkins the way the Warriors use him (with his awesome screen setting) and David Lee is just a better Carl Landry who likes to take jumpers/face up. Timmy's D will shine more in this series, and we have to hope Tiago plays tough like he did in some of our regular season meetings with the Grizz.

Good post. And that's my whole point. Agreed with you there. Tim will be important against Memphis.

One thing I will say about Tiago's lack of shot blocking. This is to do with his exceptional positioning that opposing players literally will pass the ball out if Tiago is even near him cause Tiago makes the offensive player seem so guarded that he doesn't take the shot. Tim meanwhile due to his lack of mobility will often be separated from the offensive player so the offensive player elects to shoot against him. So while Tim might block a quarter of those attempts, it doesn't mean he's playing better D.

One day, there will be advanced technology that will be able to look at film and judge historical players. Manu Ginobili will be revered. Tiago who no one has heard of may be one of the best big men in the game. Tiago >>>>> than Varejao ever was.

[Gino-Step]

Cannot wait for an advanced metric that measures Basketball IQ.

Spurs have some of the highest because Pop has some of the highest and he knows half these stars people hype are garbage.

Pop would never want Blake Griffin for Kawhi. Nor Splitter for that matter.

[100%duncan]

TBH, I don't care. See if that's true then we have two elite big defenders on our team.:smokin

[aal04]

The problem with Tiago is most of the time he brings his vagina to the game.

When he does bring his angry game he's great

[milkyway21]

Splitter is the better defender against fast-moving opponents like GSW's Curry. That's why he passed with flying colors in the 4th Qtr of game 6.
The answer here is the mobility.
Splitter because of age has the edge esp. on pick & rolls.
On low post, I think Duncan is still better. And the better shot-blocker.

Let's see in the Memphis series.

It depends on the opponent.

[Stabula]

Twilight needs to fucking sack up and get some rebounds next game

[Raven]

who fucking cares.

[Mal]

They are different defenders. Duncan is better 1 on 1, better help defender, better around the rim defender, better shot blocker. Splitter is only more mobile, so he is can keep up on pick and roll. That`s all.

Smart coaches will play jump shooting PG p&r with anybody who Duncan is guarding. Warriors had guys to do it, but good luck for Mike Conley to do what Jack and Curry did. And without 3pt threat, Duncan and other can sag off and help defending this pick and roll. Memphis dont have assets to take advatange of Duncan lack of movement.

[hater]

:lol the 36 year old had 2 blocks while the guy 10 years younger zero blocks.

:lol Tiago is more mobile because he's 10 years younger, but not even half as good a help defender or 1-1

:lol OP

[Bill_Brasky]

His mobility makes him better at switching around the perimeter, other than that though Duncan is worlds better.

[moisaenz]

Duncan was all around top defender when he had Splitter's mobility and age. Splitter will never be as good as Duncan defensively if he can still play at 37..

[DesignatedT]

Good thing we have both players. Thread is stupid.

[Warlord23]

They are different defenders. Duncan is better 1 on 1, better help defender, better around the rim defender, better shot blocker. Splitter is only more mobile, so he is can keep up on pick and roll. That`s all.

Smart coaches will play jump shooting PG p&r with anybody who Duncan is guarding. Warriors had guys to do it, but good luck for Mike Conley to do what Jack and Curry did. And without 3pt threat, Duncan and other can sag off and help defending this pick and roll. Memphis dont have assets to take advatange of Duncan lack of movement.

+ 1. The only thing Tiago does better is showing on the pick-n-roll. Duncan is vastly superior at everything else related to defense. At his age, Timmy finished #1 in D-rating this year, and is still #2 all-time in career D-rating.

[Obstructed_View]

They sure work well together. Did Grizzlies fans fail to see how good Splitter was against them in 2011? The seemingly collective lack of scouting by the entire state of Tennessee is puzzling.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Sheesh that was a bad take.

[Obstructed_View]

Sheesh that was a bad take.

No, really. Splitter was really good against Memphis.

[Spur|n|Austin]

No, really. Splitter was really good against Memphis.

Not your take, OP's logic on why he's a better defender than TD as a whole.

[Obstructed_View]

Not your take, OP's logic on why he's a better defender than TD as a whole.

:lol Yeah I was just having fun with you.

[therealtruth]

Bump. Splitter shutting down Randolph in the post.

[Warlord23]

Bump. Every Spurs defender shutting down Randolph in the post.

fixed

[Kidd K]

*looks at how good the Spurs defended the Grizzlies until refs gave Duncan his 4th foul*

*looks at how the Spurs defended the Grizzlies after Duncan sat out because of 4th foul*

Duncan is clearly a bigger factor on D'.

[jimbo]

*looks at how good the Spurs defended the Grizzlies until refs gave Duncan his 4th foul*

*looks at how the Spurs defended the Grizzlies after Duncan sat out because of 4th foul*

Duncan is clearly a bigger factor on D'.

dam that animu shit in your avatar mad gay

[Kidd K]

dam that animu shit in your avatar mad gay

Yo mom's gay, you ignorant misspelling faggot.

[Gino-Step]

TD's defense on FATsol was horrific. Dude hit 3 jumpers on him. You can't even stay with Marc fking Gasol? See the difference Splitter made in the last 2 minutes?

[therealtruth]

We need both of them defending well to have a shot at a championship. That's why it hurts that Pop wasted so much time with Bonner/Blair.

[milkyway21]

Duncan must be on the floor & needs to limit his fouls to win the series....

so :stfu

[cd98]

Splitter is quicker at this point but Duncan is a far superior rim protector.

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol Gino-step MIA, tbh..

[m33p0]

TD's defense on FATsol was horrific. Dude hit 3 jumpers on him. You can't even stay with Marc fking Gasol? See the difference Splitter made in the last 2 minutes?

that's the shot the spurs are willing to give to any team, 18 foot jumpers from their big man.

[Kidd K]

Duncan's 2nd all time in career defensive rating, and 5th in defensive win shares (will be 2nd next year).

[therealtruth]

that's the shot the spurs are willing to give to any team, 18 foot jumpers from their big man.

A steady diet of the same defense that doesn't make a player uncomfortable is just as bad.

[Warlord23]

Tiago had his moments, but also made mistakes on D. He's great at chasing the guards on the pick-n-roll, but average against the bigs

AnNH2P2L9kM

[Brunodf]

Tiago had his moments, but also made mistakes on D. He's great at chasing the guards on the pick-n-roll, but average against the bigs

AnNH2P2L9kM
1/10. Splitter was looking at the basketball and lost Fat Gasol, that was a mistake, but not because he is too slow or bad on D(most of Gasol points weren't vs Splitter)

[Warlord23]

1/10. Splitter was looking at the basketball and lost Fat Gasol, that was a mistake, but not because he is too slow or bad on D(most of Gasol points weren't vs Splitter)

Exactly. He needs to keep an eye on his man rather than be ball-watching. Also he didn't have to overplay Gasol once the ball went towards him.

Never said he was slow or bad on D, his foot speed is what allows him to show effectively on the pick-n-roll. He is a good defender, but tends to get muscled around and pick up cheap fouls on opposing bigs

[Brunodf]

Exactly. He needs to keep an eye on his man rather than be ball-watching. Also he didn't have to overplay Gasol once the ball went towards him.

Never said he was slow or bad on D, his foot speed is what allows him to show effectively on the pick-n-roll. He is a good defender, but tends to get muscled around and pick up cheap fouls on opposing bigs
1- So he isn't just average vs bigs.
2- He gets no respect from the refs...There is a thread about it...

[Warlord23]

1- So he isn't just average vs bigs.
2- He gets no respect from the refs...There is a thread about it...

1. He is average vs bigs (not slow or bad). Doesn't block shots, gets pushed around easily, picks up loose ball fouls
2. That's because it's a physical game, and playing soft doesn't get you calls in this league

[Brunodf]

1. He is average vs bigs (not slow or bad). Doesn't block shots, gets pushed around easily, picks up loose ball fouls
2.That's because it's a physical game, and playing soft doesn't get you calls in this league
1- If he plays good D how the hell is he just average?
2- Dirk disagree

[Warlord23]

1- If he plays good D how the hell is he just average?
2- Dirk disagree

I'm guessing English isn't your first language. "Not bad" doesn't automatically mean "Good". Look up the three words "Good", "Average" and "Bad". Also, I'm using these adjectives for different situations. Tiago is:
1. Good vs pick-n-roll defense
2. Average vs bigs in 1-on-1 situations and loose ball situations

[Brunodf]

I'm guessing English isn't your first language. "Not bad" doesn't automatically mean "Good". Look up the three words "Good", "Average" and "Bad". Also, I'm using these adjectives for different situations. Tiago is:
1. Good vs pick-n-roll defense
2. Average vs bigs in 1-on-1 situations and loose ball situations
I know what means:rolleyes. Picking a single play isn't a good argument to say that his D is just average.

[Warlord23]

I know what means:rolleyes. Picking a single play isn't a good argument to say that his D is just average.

Agreed. I wasn't picking on that one play. Looking at his body of work, I wouldn't put Tiago in the elite bigman defender category, although he could certainly improve to that level. He probably needs to work on his strength and endurance to be able to bang with the best of them.

[therealtruth]

Tiago forced Conley to miss on that last play in regulation. That was a huge play.

[hyhy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8tMDK8WJKA

[Slippy]

Tiago played good defense thourgh-out the game . Last 5mins he played, took it up another level. Ya but that boxscore of 2 rebounds was costly.

hang on Spurs won.

TD was fantastic as usual. They both compliment each other well.

It's the finals people.

[100%duncan]

Can't believe you're all falling for this faggot take tbh.

[TimmyDuncan21]

Tim Duncan is the post season leader in blocks in the history of the NBA.

Nothing more needs to be said :hat Not to mention he owned the paint last night