Tiago Splitter: 15 minutes and...

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Originally Posted by BRs.Ganso

Agree

Blair and Bonner plays with Ginobili, Parker, RJ and Duncan... Splitter with Quinn, Neal, McDyess... little difference.

its fun read the posts of this forum... guys think Tiago will be the next Duncan... he's only 28 pick of draft.

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Posting draft positions as evidence of player quality is an open door for ridicule on this forum.

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Originally Posted by DMC

Posting draft positions as evidence of player quality is an open door for ridicule on this forum.

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ok, I told shit :lol

buts it's just a example, we can't wait much by him.

what an awful thread...

watch the damn game instead!

He is a 7 guy who can run and who has solid Defensive foundation. In 15 mn he did just that. The only thing that bothers me is his lack of rebounds, for the rest he is what we could expect.

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

Tiago Splitter's hook is the most pathetic single shot of any player in the league.

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Maybe, Marions shot is uglier but he hits it alot more.

BTW his FT's are the ugliest maybe? They are just flat out ugly.

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Originally Posted by Blackjack

He's a complimentary player, my man. The way he's gonna help this team is by making life easier for the Big 3, not filling in for them.

His best attributes currently are his mobility (on the defensive end and on the offensive end in the pick-and-roll game) and his passing. He's not going to be anything more than a little more physically gifted Oberto if given the chance this year. He's not Scola, and never has been Scola, someone who had a pretty polished offensive post game coming into the NBA.

If he's not going to get any kind of minutes consistently, I'm not sure how he's going to impress anyone -- especially if he's playing the majority of his minutes with ballhandlers that can make the pass off the dribble in the pick-and-roll or don't utilize Tiago as anything more than a means to get their own shot off.

The flip shots are weak and he's looking to draw charges much too often -- he's giving up his size way more than he should -- but I still see the movement and intelligence there to be a really useful piece this year. But he's going to have to play with their best players on a somewhat regular basis -- he needs to see time early in games and Pop should be making it a goal of his to find a handful or more of minutes a night to hand out to him for the betterment of their team and long term outlook.

Tiago can play, the expectations by some that Tim would in some way be passing the torch to him a la Robinson, were just ridiculously unrealistic.

The guy's a complimentary role player . . .

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I don't have extraordinary expectation for Tiago so I'm not sure why you're reminding me he's a role player. The fact of the matter is that role players who play mainly with the big three would do a hell of a lot better in the garbage time minutes than Tiago did. He's the fifth big on this team and at this time he does absolutely nothing better than one of the other bigs available thereby removing any reason to play him with the big 3.

He's not better than Blair, He's not better than Bonner, and He's not better than Antonio so there is absolutely no need for a role player who can't pay better than your other role players at the same position.

The defense he had early in the season has now joined his offense in the tank. If I see him go for another steal at the free throw line or higher I will probably break my TV by throwing something at it and I'm going to assume that Pop feels much the same.

I wasn't expecting a reincarnation of David Robinson, but right now he's not even CLOSE to being the steady productive that was Oberto. He's at the same level of an Ian Mahimni and while he may turn that around in the future there is absolutely no reason to play him with the big three at this point in time.

all Blair has on defense is to cheat and go after the strip/steal

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Originally Posted by BlairForceDejuan

all Blair has on defense is to cheat and go after the strip/steal

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Too bad you adopted his name prematurely eh? :lmao

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Originally Posted by Brazil

what an awful thread...

watch the damn game instead!

He is a 7 guy who can run and who has solid Defensive foundation. In 15 mn he did just that. The only thing that bothers me is his lack of rebounds, for the rest he is what we could expect.

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Plus he's from Brazil...

But no agenda in your game, amirite?

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Originally Posted by MannyIsGod

I don't have extraordinary expectation for Tiago so I'm not sure why you're reminding me he's a role player. The fact of the matter is that role players who play mainly with the big three would do a hell of a lot better in the garbage time minutes than Tiago did. He's the fifth big on this team and at this time he does absolutely nothing better than one of the other bigs available thereby removing any reason to play him with the big 3.

He's not better than Blair, He's not better than Bonner, and He's not better than Antonio so there is absolutely no need for a role player who can't pay better than your other role players at the same position.

The defense he had early in the season has now joined his offense in the tank. If I see him go for another steal at the free throw line or higher I will probably break my TV by throwing something at it and I'm going to assume that Pop feels much the same.

I wasn't expecting a reincarnation of David Robinson, but right now he's not even CLOSE to being the steady productive that was Oberto. He's at the same level of an Ian Mahimni and while he may turn that around in the future there is absolutely no reason to play him with the big three at this point in time.

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I actually kind of used your post to speak to the broader audience/topic, so I wasn't really reminding you or trying to tell you -- specifically -- who and what he is.

Bottom line, the Spurs know who their top-2 bigs are (Duncan and 'Dyess). After that, Blair's there most talented, Bonner's their shooting 4 and Splitter's their best hope to combat the bigger frontlines come the playoffs. They've gotta get the guy some reps and exhaust their options. Passing judgment on what we've seen from Splitter recently in sporadic minutes is futile -- are we to look at what we've seen as of late after he's been made an afterthought or look to all of what we've seen from him overseas and in International play against NBA talent?

Honestly, Splitter's given me the impression on more than one occasion that he sees his minutes as pretty much meaningless. Like he's certain he'll be riding the bench on account of a more talented and ingrained Blair and a player in Bonner that brings something to the table he just can't better him at. I don't like it and I'd love to think I may be off base, but it's been pretty obvious to me. And even if it's a pretty douche mentality (if I'm correct), I couldn't care less if the guy could turn it around with minutes to help the team win. But I expect we'll continue to see spotty play for as long as he keeps being utilized in this manner.

But if he got time with the Big 3, I'm confident you'd see much more of the player we've known him to be and the one he's shown glimpses of this year. And again, you're not going to see what he brings to the table for a contender playing with and against third-string players. Between the star mentality he has (and that's a positive most of the time -- not so much in garbage time) and the skillset he has to offer (screening, passing, rolling, defending), I just don't see where he's going to impress anyone playing mop-up duty.

Pop's made it pretty clear to me that this year isn't for Tiago. I'm simply not buying it; not for the team's long-term objective (championship).

If Pop intends Tiago to be a long term replacement for someone like Dyess (He wants to retire after this year, and next year's player option is only for half, right?), then bringing him up slowly makes sense.

The problem is that the Spurs' championship window is tiny. Practically speaking, this season is it. Lockout will most likely waste next year, and then you're back with an even older Duncan, Manu, and Parker? Tiago won't be able to plug enough holes 2 years from now even if he does pan out.

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Originally Posted by Blackjack

Pop's made it pretty clear to me that this year isn't for Tiago. I'm simply not buying it; not for the team's long-term objective (championship).

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This is the part that puzzles me about Pop. I think this is really the last contending year for the Spurs--so to dismiss Tiago for the year seems premature at best on Pop's part.

It's evident that Tiago will require a complete re-work of his post game, IMO. Those weak ass oddball semi-layups are not going to cut it in the NBA. That's not going to happen overnight, and most likely will also not happen during the season.
His defense will improve over time because he has good awareness and footwork. His rebounding will also need work though.

That said, I also think he's a good extra body to throw out there against the more rugged bigs during the regular season. It'll just save some extra wear and tear on Dice or Tim.

I don't have any real great expectations for his post game. I think Pop and the Spurs view the league as becoming less dominant on paint scores in the traditional sense (post-play from the pivot) and are continuing to gear themselves into that Euro direction -- keeping the middle open with shooting and mobility to compliment the drive-and-kick game.

I view Tiago's offense as being pretty dependent on the playmaking of others, now and moving forward. He'll probably develop a shot at some point -- or rediscover the little bit of one he used to have -- but I view him as essentially a finisher: pick-and-roll game, duck-ins, flash cuts, etc.

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Originally Posted by ElNono

That said, I also think he's a good extra body to throw out there against the more rugged bigs during the regular season. It'll just save some extra wear and tear on Dice or Tim.

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Yeah. I've given up on him becoming part of this year's team in any real meaningful fashion. If he does, great. I'd love to see it. But Pop doesn't seem to take my advice as much as he used to.

I think I may have said something a little out of line -- and loud enough to where he could here me say it from the comfort of my home all the way down to the AT&T. :depressed

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Originally Posted by Blackjack

Yeah. I've given up on him becoming part of this year's team in any real meaningful fashion. If he does, great. I'd love to see it. But Pop doesn't seem to take my advice as much as he used to.

I think I may have said something a little out of line -- and loud enough to where he could here me say it from the comfort of my home all the way down to the AT&T. :depressed

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When Tiago was picked 3 years ago, he probably was picked up more for his defensive abilities (P&R especially) than for his offensive abilities (virtually non-existent then, almost non-existent now).

The irony of his situation is that the year he finally comes over, the Spurs decide to focus on offense and become Suns Lite (Sun-Lite?). Oy.

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Originally Posted by toki9

When Tiago was picked 3 years ago, he probably was picked up more for his defensive abilities (P&R especially) than for his offensive abilities (virtually non-existent then, almost non-existent now).

The irony of his situation is that the year he finally comes over, the Spurs decide to focus on offense and become Suns Lite (Sun-Lite?). Oy.

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Well, he was more of a value-pick. The Spurs took advantage of the opportunity to get a player that had lottery talent but contract issues prevented those teams from risking such an important pick on him.

I don't think the Spurs were ever under the illusion Tiago was anything more than a solid rotation big at the NBA level -- which isn't something there are a whole lot of these days. Every time I've heard a member of the coaching staff speak to Tiago's ability or game, the two names that always come up are Oberto and Varejao. And while the comparisons have merit and those two players would be quality additions to the team, neither of which would have been confused for a Duncan successor or someone to be Duncan's understudy the way Tim had been for Dave.

It may have been different for Tiago had he come into camp healthy and ready to play from Day 1, but once the Spurs got off to such a hot start and the combination of their long-term approach with Blair (starting him to both develop him and manage minutes for Duncan and 'Dyess) and Bonner's good play, it was just a confluence of events that left Splitter on the outside looking in.

For Pop to go to Splitter now would force him to tell Blair and/or Bonner they're just not going to be good enough no matter what they do. It'd be saying we're going to let this rookie take minutes you could do better with here in the short term because we need him to figure it out long term, basically.

I can't see Pop doing that. He's much more likely to go with what he knows and what's been working, not banking on a rookie being a championship difference maker.

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Originally Posted by Blackjack

Well, he was more of a value-pick. The Spurs took advantage of the opportunity to get a player that had lottery talent but contract issues prevented those teams from risking such an important pick on him.

I don't think the Spurs were ever under the illusion Tiago was anything more than a solid rotation big at the NBA level -- which isn't something there are a whole lot of these days. Every time I've heard a member of the coaching staff speak to Tiago's ability or game, the two names that always come up are Oberto and Varejao. And while the comparisons have merit and those two players would be quality additions to the team, neither of which would have been confused for a Duncan successor or someone to be Duncan's understudy the way Tim had been for Dave.

It may have been different for Tiago had he come into camp healthy and ready to play from Day 1, but once the Spurs got off to such a hot start and the combination of their long-term approach with Blair (starting him to both develop him and manage minutes for Duncan and 'Dyess) and Bonner's good play, it was just a confluence of events that left Splitter on the outside looking in.

For Pop to go to Splitter now would force him to tell Blair and/or Bonner they're just not going to be good enough no matter what they do. It'd be saying we're going to let this rookie take minutes you could do better with here in the short term because we need him to figure it out long term, basically.

I can't see Pop doing that. He's much more likely to go with what he knows and what's been working, not banking on a rookie being a championship difference maker.

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Thats the part that is baffling to me. Splitter was considered a lottery talent,
which means to be that he would be much more talented than just a roatation guy. I wasn't expecting Splitter to get major minutes this year, but I was expecting him to be in the rotation by now. From what little I've seen of Splitter play this year, the only positives I can take away are his footwork. Splitter needs to get stronger and his post game needs to be completely overhauled.

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Originally Posted by jjktkk

Thats the part that is baffling to me. Splitter was considered a lottery talent,
which means to be that he would be much more talented than just a roatation guy. I wasn't expecting Splitter to get major minutes this year, but I was expecting him to be in the rotation by now. From what little I've seen of Splitter play this year, the only positives I can take away are his footwork. Splitter needs to get stronger and his post game needs to be completely overhauled.

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The success rate of big men "lottery talent" over the years isn't overwhelming, so saying that Splitter belongs in that group is still a correct statement.

What a cheerful bunch of posters.

Basically saying the Spurs have ZERO possibilities to come out of the West.

Because Bonner cannot guard Gasol/Bynum/Odom, will start missing those 3s in the PO, as he has ALWAYS done, and Blair is 6.5, and no team has won a title with a 6.5 center, with the exception of Unseld's Bullets.

So no Splitter, no Finals.

Now, of course the Mavs could eliminate the Lakers.........

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Originally Posted by DMC

Plus he's from Brazil...

But no agenda in your game, amirite?

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I'm french, I have no agenda, look at the flag. I'm just living in Brazil, if not for the spurs I wouldn't give a damn about if Splitter is good or not.

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Originally Posted by temujin

Because Bonner cannot guard Gasol/Bynum/Odom, will start missing those 3s in the PO, as he has ALWAYS done, and Blair is 6.5, and no team has won a title with a 6.5 center, with the exception of Unseld's Bullets.

So no Splitter, no Finals.

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Antonio McDyess says hello.

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Originally Posted by Brazil

what an awful thread...

watch the damn game instead!

He is a 7 guy who can run and who has solid Defensive foundation. In 15 mn he did just that. The only thing that bothers me is his lack of rebounds, for the rest he is what we could expect.

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Correct.

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Originally Posted by ploto

Antonio McDyess says hello.

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Sarcasm says hello.

I just hope not acclimating Splitter doesn't come back and bite the Spurs in the playoffs. If it's Blair and Bonner as our contributors for the playoffs then so be it. It will be what it will be.

I just hope it turns out for the best.