Will Tiago Splitter win the first round MVP after we beat the Mavs tbh..

[freetiago]

double doubles and the best defense Dirk has ever seen
was able to bait Blair into kicking his head to swing the momentum of the game while knocking down clutch free throws :worthy:

Spurs most invaluable player

[MeloHype]

Manu imo

[HI-FI]

agree with this. Tiago has come to play.

[200 miles]

It's been Manu, but definitely not by much over Splitter.

[Malik Hairston]

He has been awesome in this series, tbh, it's a toss-up between him and Manu, right now..

[BatManu20]

Other than the 3 rejections at the rim which are frusrating, Splitter has been invaluable this series tbh. It won't show up in the stat sheet but we don't win either games without his D, rebounding, and hustle tbh.

[Malik Hairston]

Sadly, Tiago has been the Spurs best perimeter defender in this series, tbh:lol..

[Chinook]

Who cares? Robin Lopez would have been way better.

[Baam]

Pretty sad thread tbh, Tiago lovers sounding pretty damn gay these days with the overreactions... Starting thread about their God every two minutes...

[sexinthatsx]

Who cares? Robin Lopez would have been way better.

I disagree; Robin Lopez might be better for individual 1 on 1 defense, but Splitter's team defense and pick and roll switch defense is pretty damn amazing. I'd like to see Robin Lopez guard Devin Harris and keep up...

[Baam]

Robin Lopez would have allowed the Spurs to sign another good player since he earns so much less than Tiago, that was the point all along...

[Juggity]

Tiago has done such a good job defending dirk, challenging shots etc. I know he fouled out in tonight's game, but damn he has been totally excellent this series. We would not stand a chance without him.

Plus, taking Blair's kick to the head may have been a turning point in the series :lol

[Malik Hairston]

Robin Lopez would have allowed the Spurs to sign another good player since he earns so much less than Tiago, that was the point all along...

Or they could have just not acquired Belinelli and Ayres, tbh..

[200 miles]

Hey Baam, would it make any difference if you saw and compared the playoff stats of both Splitter and Lopez to give Tiago a little bit of slack?

[cd021]

Splitter +15 in 4 games this series Spurs net margin in 4 games -13

28.3 MPG, 60% FG, 80% FT, 10.3 RPG, 9.5 PPG, 2.3 APG 1.3 T.O

He's been probably the best Dirk defender we've ever had (with probably Diaw second.)

He is definitely the MVP of the series ,win or lose.

Ginobili has been a close second. Just stellar play for a high-mileage guard in his mid-thirties

[heyheymymy]

the stat of him scoring 10 pts and spurs being undefeated still holds true with tonights game

[DAF86]

If it wasn't for the way he stretches his arms on defense I would think he has some kind of elbow joint disorder. Stretch those arms to finish strong son.

[Malik Hairston]

the stat of him scoring 10 pts and spurs being undefeated still holds true with tonights game

They lost a game where he scored 10 earlier in the series, tbh..also, the last game of the regular season IIRC..

[testies]

he has been awesome in last years playoffs against Golden State and Memphis too, but assholes only remember Heat series where he wasn't needed because of match ups

[Chinook]

Robin Lopez would have allowed the Spurs to sign another good player since he earns so much less than Tiago, that was the point all along...

Dude, if that's been your point, it's an extremely misguided one. Neither Splitter (Bird rights) or Lopez (trade) would affect the Spurs' ability to sign another player. If you're now conceding that you were wrong to assert that Lopez is better than Splitter (and I'd commend you for admitting a mistake), then it makes no sense to argue for Lopez in any other fashion. Trading for Lopez would have meant giving up assets, while creating absolutely no additional flexibility to sign players. So what would you rather have: Splitter and a first, or Lopez?

Off topic but still about Portland bigs: I was bummed the Spurs didn't make a stronger move for Thomas Robinson. I'm extremely bummed after seeing how well he's played this season.

[Chinook]

I disagree; Robin Lopez might be better for individual 1 on 1 defense, but Splitter's team defense and pick and roll switch defense is pretty damn amazing. I'd like to see Robin Lopez guard Devin Harris and keep up...

I was joking. I've always liked Splitter over Lopez. I think Robin is more of a traditional center, but I don't think he's nearly as good of a big as Splitter is.

[IrisHockey]

Every time Dirk posts up against Splitter in this series I'm just hoping Dirk'll be able to get out alive, tbh..

[sexinthatsx]

I was joking. I've always liked Splitter over Lopez. I think Robin is more of a traditional center, but I don't think he's nearly as good of a big as Splitter is.

Having both would be nice though tbh haha

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Depends if Manu can string together 2 great games

[cd021]

Robin Lopez would have allowed the Spurs to sign another good player since he earns so much less than Tiago, that was the point all along...

Lopez isn't even close to the defender Splitter can be. (DRtg-102 (Splitter) 107 (Lopez)

Splitter appeared in 59 games with a 2.1 Defensive win share while Lopez played 82 games and only amassed a 2.6 D W/S


Lopez- Per 36 Minutes:-12.6 PPG, 55% FG, 82% FT, 9.7 RPG, 2 BPG, Net Rtg-:21

Lopez-Playoff Per 36 Minutes:-8.6 PPG, 52% FG, 43% FT, 11 RPG, 2.4 BPG, Net Rtg-:+5


Splitter- Per 36 Minutes:-13.7 PPG, 53% FG, 70% FT, 10.3 RPG, 1 BPG, Net Rtg-+14, 16.5 P.E.R.

Splitter- Playoff Per 36 Minutes:-11.6 PPG, 59% FG, 75% FT, 12 RPG, Net Rtg-+16, 19.9 P.E.R.

The Spurs would have to had to trade for him anyway. Keeping Splitter was the right move.

[Chief]

Ill get flamed but I actually thought he sucked ass tonight, couldn't score over 37 yr old Vince Carter, his ball handling was terrible, and Monte was getting what he wanted on offense in the paint. At this point of Dirk's career any big body can slow him down, has more to do with Dirk's wear and tear then Tiago's defense.

[slick'81]

Tank god for tiagos big ass head getting In the way of Blair's foot

[Sean Cagney]

Manu imo

EASILY..........

[MannyIsGod]

Diaw was much better tonight (guarding Dirk). Tiago at least managed to play well in other parts of the game but of course he had to give up his usual momentum swinging block. His ugly sweeping hooks went in. So fucking awkward in the post man.

[elemento]

Defensively he is doing a great job. But I still expect him to do a bit more offensively.

[spurspokesman]

I could live with manu or tiago at this point

[eDizzle20]

Gotta give it to Splitter. He's made life for Dirk miserable. He's also hit some very timely buckets and free throws.

[TampaDude]

I'd like for Splitter to win it just so I can hear SAS go "Tiaaago Spliiiiterrrrr" on First Take. :lol

[DarrinS]

I'd like for Splitter to win it just so I can hear SAS go "Tiaaago Spliiiiterrrrr" on First Take. :lol

:lol

[DrSteffo]

Splitter just keeps shitting all over the haters/trolls.

[mando6599]

I loved Splitter's focus and intensity last night. He seemed like his Bball IQ was ultra high. His defense was spectacular...we've not had a big I don't think ever, not even DRob, that could move their feet to stay with SG's to PF's such as Carter or Dirk. His footwork is amazing.

I do wish Splitter knew how to dunk. I mean, he's 7 FEET TALL!!! No more Reverse Layup Laser Gun moves, just throw that puppy down hard on the rim. No finesse necessary(see Kawhi Leonard). I understand 2 points is 2 points, but when other teams' bigs and littles are getting blocks on you, you have to take it harder to the rim.

[G-Dawgg]

Tiago has been a big part of this Dallas series. His defense, rebounding and his excellent job finishing on the interior have been key. However I still think Ginobili still gets the nod. His competitive nature and 'do everything ot takes to win' attitude has been the catalyst to keeping us alive vs the Mavericks considering Parker and the roleplayers have not been having a good showing. Duncan has also been playing big, scoring, defending and rebounding like his normal reliable self.

[tholdren]

Splitter just keeps shitting all over the haters/trolls.
lmfao... bonner shut down dirk while in the game. you tiago lovers are retards. clutch fts though.

[jimbo]

lmfao... bonner shut down dirk while in the game. you tiago lovers are retards. clutch fts though.

Tbh, that actually made me realize how much stronger Splitter/Diaw are over Bonner. Bonner was getting straight pushed around by Dirk until he sold out to stop Dirk backing up.

[PingPong]

If Tiago had the Nene's j....

[Horry Hipcheck]

Tiago has been great, but that's his job. Manu has basically been bailing Parker's ass out in the second half, pretty much running the offense and rediscovering some of his mojo from the mid-00s.

[Baam]

lmfao... bonner shut down dirk while in the game. you tiago lovers are retards. clutch fts though.

Exactly the overreaction is hilarious, the Tiago lovers are so desperate they go crazy at the slightest thing...

[Baam]

If Tiago had the Nene's j....

If he had that kind of talent we would have won a championship last year instead of losing it because of him...

[200 miles]

You really go nuts with jubilation every time Splitter's shot gets blocked, don't you?

[Baam]

You really go nuts with jubilation every time Splitter's shot gets blocked, don't you?

No it doesn't do anything for me at this point, seen it too often... His low post fails still bring the lulz tho, especially against undersized players...

[200 miles]

I must admit that sometimes I get disappointed every time Splitter has a reverse layup instead of just directly dunking it. But even you have to admit that Splitter overall brings more positives than negatives, especially on the defensive end and without him the Spurs would probably be down 3-1 or even swept.

[kaji157]

I must admit that sometimes I get disappointed every time Splitter has a reverse layup instead of just directly dunking it. But even you have to admit that Splitter overall brings more positives than negatives, especially on the defensive end and without him the Spurs would probably be down 3-1 or even swept.

It depends. What 10 million dollar bigmen is going to replace him in the roster?
Will the Spurs just have one less player than everyone else?