Mahinmi & Splitter?

[Steve-O-Matic]

Which one will play the '4' and which one the '5' spot? I know the positions are fairly interchangeable in the Spurs' system, so perhaps the better question is what will be the base/primary position for each?

[ace3g]

probably depends on match ups, because Mahinmi is more mobile while Splitter is stronger

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Mahinmi will play 4 and Splitter will play 5.

[xtremesteven33]

ian will be a 4 sub
and splitter will be a 5 sub

[boutons_]

I'd like to see Ian on bench now for experiencing the intensity of the playoffs.

[ClingingMars]

ChumpDumper is the resident D-League expert...I'd like to hear what he says.

- Mars

[PDXSpursFan]

Splitter will play the 5, Mahinmi the B & D (Bench & D-League)

[eisfeld]

Splitter will play the 5, Mahinmi the B & D (Bench & D-League)

Agree on Splitter, but Mahinmi is a raw player and I'm glad the spurs signed him earlier then expected. Depending on his development he could evolve into a versatile and athletic 4 - no superstar but a very solid 4.

As ClingingMars said, an insight opinion of someone who follows the d-league regularly would be nice.

[Bartleby]

an insight opinion of someone who follows the d-league regularly would be nice.

Paging Chumpdumper . . .

[jag]

With Horry gone and hopefully Bonner gone, that would mean 2 open spots for these two guys. I really hope we bring both of them in.

[eisfeld]

With Horry gone and hopefully Bonner gone, that would mean 2 open spots for these two guys. I really hope we bring both of them in.

I think they will - but I also feel that the Spurs are going after a solid role-playing PF in the off-season. Mahinmi might be in the rotation but Splitter will play the same role as Mahinmi this season. Spurs might go after a veteran like p.j. brown in the off-season.

[ducks]

I'd like to see Ian on bench now for experiencing the intensity of the playoffs.

was he not on the bench in round one?

[mystargtr34]

I think they will - but I also feel that the Spurs are going after a solid role-playing PF in the off-season. Mahinmi might be in the rotation but Splitter will play the same role as Mahinmi this season. Spurs might go after a veteran like p.j. brown in the off-season.

Splitter will play the same role as Mahinmi this year???

You do realise the level of practice for a regular Euro team in the Greek league is probably at a higher level than a game of the D-League... let alone the Euroleague.

Splitter is far more ready and developed than Mahinmi and will be in the rotation within his first year, not right away given the system, but within his first year.

Ian has the potential but hes gonna take a bit more time than Tiago.

[SPARKY]

Splitter will be the 3rd big next season.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Though it's almost obvious that Splitter is the better player, I think they will use Ian more often than Splitter due to the fact he's already familiar with the Spurs playbook.

[m33p0]

was he not on the bench in round one?
only joined the guys for the annual team photo.

[Flux451]

It's great seeing Demar and Ian behind the spurs bench. LIke they are learning from their future teamates.

[whottt]

Though it's almost obvious that Splitter is the better player, I think they will use Ian more often than Splitter due to the fact he's already familiar with the Spurs playbook.


I don't think it's obvious that Splitter is the better player, or at least he doesn't have the most potential IMO...I think Ian has more upside than Splitter.

[mystargtr34]

Ian may have more upside (i dont like that word) but Splitter is the better player right now...

There is absolutely 0 comparison between the D-League and the level of EuroLeague.

Splitter is a first team All-Euro... as promising as Ian is... he would struggle to get in the rotation on a Euro contender.

Splitter has NBA ready post moves and has the body...

Ian is promising though and he could turn out to be the better player... but Splitter is miuch more of a sure thing.

Splitter has NBA ready post moves and has the body...

[TDMVPDPOY]

splitter
ian
sanikidz
rookie
rookie

bring it on, i like the future thats coming soon!!!!

[peskypesky]

I can't wait til we give Splitter to the Rockets after waiting for him with baited breath...

[Princess Pimp]

Re: Mahinmi & Splitter?

Who are those scrubs?

[SenorSpur]

It's great seeing Demar and Ian behind the spurs bench. LIke they are learning from their future teamates.

I liked seeing that too. I just hope DeMarr is IN the Spurs future plans and in the regular mix next season. I really think he can help out at the swing spot. While I believe they still need to draft a young, rooking SF, having DeMarr gives them a middle-aged SF/SG with good, deep shooting range and solid NBA experience.

[Emeyin]

I can't wait til we give Splitter to the Rockets after waiting for him with baited breath...


:lol

[whottt]

Ian may have more upside (i dont like that word) but Splitter is the better player right now...

There is absolutely 0 comparison between the D-League and the level of EuroLeague.


The fact that Splitter has more Euroleague experience has about 0 to do with on court ability and everything to do with experience...Ian didn't play basketball until he was 15 or so.


Here's what I know...

Ian can jump higher.
Ian is faster.
Ian is a better shotblocker.
Ian was a first round draft pick.
Ian has already played in the NBA.

I'm not sure who will be the better rebounder.
I'm not sure who will be the better scorer.
I'm not sure who is the better defender.

Splitter was a first round draft pick.
Splitter is more experienced.
Splitter is less foul prone.






Splitter is a first team All-Euro... as promising as Ian is... he would struggle to get in the rotation on a Euro contender.

He wouldn't struggle to be drafted with a first round pick by a reigning NBA champion.




Splitter has NBA ready post moves and has the body...

Way more to the game.




Ian is promising though and he could turn out to be the better player... but Splitter is miuch more of a sure thing.
Splitter has NBA ready post moves and has the body

I don't think Splitter is a sure thing. I hope he is. I hope he turns out to be a HOF'er...but I'm not certain he is an NBA player at this point...bigger disappointments have happened.


Neither one of these guys is NBA proven yet.

[mystargtr34]

The fact that Splitter has more Euroleague experience has about 0 to do with on court ability and everything to do with experience...Ian didn't play basketball until he was 15 or so.

Like i said, Ian probably has more untapped ability... ie potential.



Here's what I know...

Ian can jump higher.
Ian is faster.
Ian is a better shotblocker.
Ian was a first round draft pick.
Ian has already played in the NBA.

I'm not sure who will be the better rebounder.
I'm not sure who will be the better scorer.
I'm not sure who is the better defender.

Splitter was a first round draft pick.
Splitter is more experienced.
Splitter is less foul prone.



Ian may be a better shot blocker... but Tiago is the better defender.. he can be foul prone also, but not to the extent of Ian... hes got the principals of man-to-man defense down much better than Mahinmi (as he should do given his experience and upbringing). He plays defense with his feet and uses his length to bother shots but doesnt really attempt to block the shot.

Im not sure of the point about Iani being a first round pick.... but so was Tiago, and would have been a top 5 pick had he enetered at first eligibility in 2004, he was touted as the top Internatioanl Prospect at the time... then he signed with Tau the next year and his stock went down. If he was eligible to come to the NBA this season he would have been a lottery pick last year and the Spurs would never have had the chance at drafting him.

I would say Tiago will be the better rebounder (despite average Euro numbers... they tend to translate really well to NBA rebounding with the slow pace of the game there) given hes naturally wider and bigger than Ian and will operate more so as a true Center.

Ian scores most of his points from being flat out bigger and more athletic than other bigs in the D League... where as Tiago is up against 7 footers every game. At this point Ian has one true post move, a hook shot, and a pretty nice jumper (a lot more reliable than Splitters).

Tiago on the other hand... has more polished post moves than 75% of the Centers in the NBA already.




I don't think Splitter is a sure thing. I hope he is. I hope he turns out to be a HOF'er...but I'm not certain he is an NBA player at this point...bigger disappointments have happened.


Neither one of these guys is NBA proven yet.

Like u said with Tiago.. im really excited about Ian right now and with his potential... if he develops well, he has everything, NBA size and length (needs more weight, one minor concern i have is that he has a thin core and base but he wont be a bruiser obvkiously), NBA athleticism and from all reports it looks like he has the right attitude and so far has some nice skills. I think he could be special.

I Just think Splitter is alot better at this point

[djohn14]

I assume Ian will probably get a shot to be over here full time next year? Also I read rremember reading earlier that we wanted to sign Splitter, and is that still the case?

[mystargtr34]

Splitter will be bought out at the end of this season and hell be in camp for 08-09.

Same with Ian i assume

[wildbill2u]

Splitter already plays the pick and roll better than any center (not including Tim when he plays the 5) we have had since Robinson. He has great hands and good mobility.

My mouth waters when I think of a high post pick and roll on the right side with Splitter and either Manu or Parker--with Timmy lurking on the left low post. Two good 7 footers and one of the best finishers at guard in the league all attacking the basket.

What a nightmare to defend

[wildchild]

I think we really need both guys.
Tiago was playing years in Europe and seems a young but experienced guy with pro/euro years.
On other hands, Ian is an athletic guy, he can run, jump, block. We haven't a type of player as Ian (young and athletic) in the roster right now.
Timmy's 32 years old, Fabs 33, Kurt 35, Robert 37, we need young people.

[stxspurs]

im sure tiago/ian will be taking over horry's spot...and hopefully bonners too

[Tiro]

:hat
talk about this topic in two months.

[Ocotillo]

Whither Matt Bonner?

What happens to him this off-season? Does he get the Beno treatment (permanent doghouse)? Does he get a serious chance to make the rotation this up coming training camp? Is he part of a draft day trade?

[Manufan909]

Who knows? I thought he played good when he was actually in the rotation in the year, and that he did great as a starter when Duncan was hurt. But then BAM!!! Ben treatment. But if he doesn't go, then one of the older bigs will have to go, and I don't want to see either of them leave. I think it would be good to leave Ian in the D-League, then we'd have Bonner 29, Fab 33, KT 35, TD 32, and Tiago who is like 23 I'm guessing. Then we'd still have a shooting big man, and Ian could stay in the D-League and keeping getting serious minutes.