Tiago Splitter earned his money

[Stabula]

A lot of people were nervous or even upset about the contract the Spurs gave Splitter in the off-season, feeling the Spurs were foolishly paying way too much for a soft overrated big especially after Lebron put him on his poster. It turns out those fears were unfounded as Splitter has been one of, if not (dare I say) the best, reason the Spurs have so far had a successful post-season. Some people thought Splitter would mail it in this year after finally receiving his first big contract but instead he became the MVP of a 7 game playoff series and willed the Spurs to victory after pick n' rolling the Mavs to death and playing absolutely stellar defense on Nowitski and Aldridge.

Admit it Spurs fan, this guy does not get enough praise.

[Richie]

Agreed, and if we play the Clippers he'll be crucial again.

He earnt his money last year against Lakers and Memphis too.

[Pako]

Agreed...

[SpursRock20]

He hasn't earned it yet. Been playing great so far, but I want to see him play this well in the next couple of rounds.

[cd021]

Absolutely. Who would have thunk that Splitter would be the Dirk and L.A stopper?

[PingPong]

"But, but RoLo is cheaper and better..."

[spursfan1000]

I think he needs to improve on finishing harder around the rim, but other then that hes earned his contract, dont get me wrong hes not going to finish like amare ever, but atleast play somewhat like gortat who dosent get blocked by guards every quarter

[Baam]

Lol not fan of any other player set the bar as low as Splitter lovers do for their hero... It's pathetic... We beat an 8th seed and a 6th seed, nobody earned shit yet, lol at the preemptive damage control.

[manufan10]

I think if he keeps this up and plays like this consistently in the postseason he will then have earned his money. Key is being consistent.

[Spur|n|Austin]

He hasn't earned it yet. Been playing great so far, but I want to see him play this well in the next couple of rounds.

He got market price for a big in the league last free agency. He's been solid, healthy, and reliable all regular season, not to mention that through 2 rounds he has quite possibly been the best defensive player on the court. Explain to us how he hasn't earned it?

[Sean Cagney]

Agreed...
...

[SpursRock20]

He got market price for a big in the league last free agency. He's been solid, healthy, and reliable all regular season, not to mention that through 2 rounds he has quite possibly been the best defensive player on the court. Explain to us how he hasn't earned it?
I said he has been playing great, but if he fails to play solidly against OKC/LAC or shits the bed again against Miami I don't think he has earned it. No one has earned anything yet, let's get that ring.

[TheRemix]

He's been pretty solid as already stated but we're only halfway there. Lets see how he does in the wcf

[Beaverfuzz]

Lol not fan of any other player set the bar as low as Splitter lovers do for their hero... It's pathetic... We beat an 8th seed and a 6th seed, nobody earned shit yet, lol at the preemptive damage control.

We kemosabe?

[testies]

Lol not fan of any other player set the bar as low as Splitter lovers do for their hero... It's pathetic... We beat an 8th seed and a 6th seed, nobody earned shit yet, lol at the preemptive damage control.

retard, hahah

[Pako]

The fact is, aside from Tiago, who in the league you can pay $10M per year that can Stop Nowitzki and Adridge? No one.... Even Dwight who earn 20+Million and used to be the top defender can't stop Aldridge nor Nowitzki.

[spurraider21]

Lol not fan of any other player set the bar as low as Splitter lovers do for their hero... It's pathetic... We beat an 8th seed and a 6th seed, nobody earned shit yet, lol at the preemptive damage control.
How did you like his defense on Dirk in round 1?

[Stabula]

Lol not fan of any other player set the bar as low as Splitter lovers do for their hero... It's pathetic... We beat an 8th seed and a 6th seed, nobody earned shit yet, lol at the preemptive damage control.

Manu fans set the bar lower, honestly. The Mavs and the Blazers were both really solid teams that could have beat us had Splitter not stepped up. Its not easy having your assignment be to contain the other team's best player for two series in a row and have the success Splitter had. Aldridge is the best PF in the game right now and Splitter kept him from going nuts.

[100%duncan]

Water is wet

[cjw]

Manu fans set the bar lower, honestly. The Mavs and the Blazers were both really solid teams that could have beat us had Splitter not stepped up. Its not easy having your assignment be to contain the other team's best player for two series in a row and have the success Splitter had. Aldridge is the best PF in the game right now and Splitter kept him from going nuts.

Now that assignment moves squarely from Splitter to Kawhi. Let's see if he's ready.

[Brunodf]

Too bad he will be on the bench against OKC...

[slick'81]

We need splitter to be a factor vs the thunder and god willing the heat

[SpurSwag]

If he takes Ibaka out of the series while still providing good rim protection, then I'll agree. He's been spectacular so far, but this is the time where he really earns that money

[spurraider21]

Splitters defense thus far has been terrific. He has defenses our opponents go I guys excellently in the first two rounds. His assignment against okc will be much less significant. In this series he's going to have to play like a big on the other end. If he makes an offensive impact, it forces okc to play bigger, which is advantage us. I remember he was big in game 1 of the 2012 WCF... We need that

[hommeaetage]

For me, this is the series where I'll judge whether Splitter earned his money or not. If he can average a double-double or close to it with solid defense this series, that'd give us a tremendous boost

[spurraider21]

If splitter averages a double double I can't see us losing against anybody :lol

[Shifty]

Matchups! Splitter did great in the series (plural) he was needed. OKC is a different thing. He can still be good but you can hardly blame Splitter in case the Spurs lose to the Thunder. Same goes against the Heat. Just as last year, He did great against Lakers and Grizzlies, not great or awful against GSW and Heat.

[davidbowie]

Ya damn right.

[EVAY]

I think he has earned it. He has absolutely improved this team this year, and I don't think we would have gotten as far as we have without him.

I don't subscribe to the 'unless you are the star of the finals you're not worth any contract money. I think that's nonsense.

We have HCA throughout the playoffs, largely due to Splitter.

We contained LMA in the last round, largely due to Splitter (I don't care what their seeding was - LMA is an all-star and splitter contained him).

He has some things to improve; so does every other Spur. I like our chances this year vs. last much more because of the improvement Splitter and Diaw have made among our post play line-ups.

[heyheymymy]

splitter just gets more and more nba polished each year