Monroe: Spurs nab post from Brazil in first round

Spurs nab post from Brazil in first round
Mike Monroe
Express-news

Maintaining the successful pattern they have established during their run to four NBA championships since 1999, the Spurs on Thursday selected a talented international player who won’t join the team for at least one more season.

The Spurs made Tiago Splitter, a 6-foot-11, 232-pound post man from Brazil who has played professionally for seven seasons, the 28th selection of the first round of the 2007 NBA draft.

Because Splitter’s contract with Tau Cerámica, of the Spanish professional league, includes a hefty buyout clause for the coming season, he won’t be available for the Spurs this season. His contractual impediment, combined with the Spurs’ established willingness to wait for drafted players with international commitments, helped to make Splitter available when the Spurs made their selection.

"He’s a good, talented kid who is 6-11 and plays hard and is fundamentally sound," said Spurs general manger R.C. Buford. "You don’t often have the opportunity to get size like that that has played at a very, very high level all his life and had success."

Splitter, 22, has played since 2003 for Tau Cerámica, the same team for which Luis Scola plays. Scola is the Argentine forward the Spurs drafted in the second round in 2002, but who has not been able to get out of his contract with the Spanish team.

"Splitter’s contract is more defined," Buford said. "There shouldn’t be a problem a year from now.

"That had a definite impact on him being available for us this year. That, and the fact there were no freshman-eligible draft candidates a year ago, pushed more players into the draft this year and maybe pushed some selections back that wouldn’t have been there before."

The Spurs made Marcus Williams, a 6-foot-7 small forward from the University of Arizona, the first of their two selections in the second round, 33rd overall.

Just as they have done each of the past two drafts, the Spurs selected a player in the second round who was not listed in the NBA’s official draft media guide, a 224-page book that included biographical information on 124 other players.

The mystery pick this time was Giorgos Printezis, a forward from Greece who was traded almost as quickly as he was selected. The Spurs sent his draft rights to Toronto for a 2008 second-round pick.

Because Splitter won’t join the Spurs next season, this marks the seventh time since the Spurs won their first NBA title, in 1999, they did not enter the following season with a first-round pick on their roster. The last first-rounder to make the roster was Beno Udrih, the 28th pick in the 2004 draft. Tony Parker, the 28th pick in the 2001 draft, is the only other first-rounder picked by the Spurs to have played for the Spurs since 1999.

"I don’t know that anybody was going to help us next year," Buford said. "We were hoping to find young talent to be able to help us after this team transitions. Hopefully, it continues winning and transitions to another group that competes, and Splitter gives us that opportunity.

"There were some players we were interested in that might have been on the roster sooner that were also considered. It wasn’t a situation where we were just going to take a player and leave him over there. He was No. 2 on our draft board of the picks that were realistic for us, so we were excited to get him."

Splitter has intrigued NBA scouts since first submitting his name as draft-eligible in 2004, when he first showed up at the NBA’s predraft camp in Chicago. However, he withdrew his name then, and again in 2005 and 2006. Many NBA player personnel decision makers had him projected as a lottery pick in 2005 and 2006 before he withdrew his name.

Splitter averaged 11.2 points per game, on 61.3 percent shooting, in 28 games last season with Tau Cerámica in the Spanish League and 10.7 points per game, on 58 percent shooting, and 6.0 rebounds in 20 games with Tau Cerámica in Euroleague competition.

A member of the Brazilian National Team, Splitter was the youngest player in the 2002 FIBA World Championships in Indianapolis, playing at age 17.

The Spurs’ past four first-round selections have been international players: Brazilian Leandro Barbosa (2003, traded to Phoenix), Slovenian Beno Udrih (2004), Frenchman Ian Mahinmi (2005) and Splitter. The Spurs did not have a first-round pick last year, having traded it to the New York Knicks in the deal that brought center Nazr Mohammed to the club.

Williams, the 33rd pick of the draft, averaged 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 30 games for Arizona last season. A first-team All-Pac-10 selection as a sophomore, the 20-year-old Williams entered the draft after two seasons at Arizona. He made 49.4 percent of his shots last season despite making only 23 of 80 3-point shots.

"Marcus is an athletic wing we think can be a good defender," Buford said. "He came in very highly recruited. He was one of their best players and has a lot of potential. This draft, being deeper, allowed for a person of Marcus’ talent to be available in the second round, and that’s not often the case."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...t.35f7628.html

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"I don’t know that anybody was going to help us next year," Buford said. "We were hoping to find young talent to be able to help us after this team transitions. Hopefully, it continues winning and transitions to another group that competes, and Splitter gives us that opportunity.

"There were some players we were interested in that might have been on the roster sooner that were also considered. It wasn’t a situation where we were just going to take a player and leave him over there. He was No. 2 on our draft board of the picks that were realistic for us, so we were excited to get him."

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Damn, who was number one?

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"There were some players we were interested in that might have been on the roster sooner that were also considered. It wasn’t a situation where we were just going to take a player and leave him over there. He was No. 2 on our draft board of the picks that were realistic for us, so we were excited to get him."

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I wonder who was number 1.

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Originally Posted by timvp

.... "Marcus is an athletic wing we think can be a good defender," Buford said. "He came in very highly recruited. He was one of their best players and has a lot of potential. This draft, being deeper, allowed for a person of Marcus’ talent to be available in the second round, and that’s not often the case."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...t.35f7628.html

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If they think he can become a good defender, that's good news because we already know he can score.

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"Marcus is an athletic wing we think can be a good defender," Buford said. "He came in very highly recruited. He was one of their best players and has a lot of potential. This draft, being deeper, allowed for a person of Marcus’ talent to be available in the second round, and that’s not often the case."

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Pretty nice. I wonder where he ranked on their board :stirpot:

:lmao @ LJ and I quoting the same parts of the article.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

If they think he can become a good defender, that's good news because we already know he can score.

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They Spurs always think everyone can be a good defender...I haven't seen them turn anyone into better defender than they were before getting here except for Hedo and Rasho.

Usually they continue to suck on D and Pop benches them into oblivion and zero trade value.

All our picks suck. The Spurs suck ass. Fucking idiots[/Tpark].

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Originally Posted by timvp

Damn, who was number one?

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Given the player they took with pick 33, I'm going to guess Morris Almond.

Rudy Fernandez?

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Originally Posted by FirebatMIV

Given the player they took with pick 33, I'm going to guess Morris Almond.

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I'd guess either Fernandez or Dudley. But tough to say.

he's only 22, he's going to play here.

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Originally Posted by timvp

Pretty nice. I wonder where he ranked on their board :stirpot:

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I wonder if Gabe Pruitt, who was picked at #32 just ahead of the Spurs, was ahead of him....

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Originally Posted by timvp

I'd guess either Fernandez or Dudley. But tough to say.

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Given that RC said they weren't necessarily looking to stash someone overseas, Dudley would make sense.

I'd put all my money on Rudy being #1

I'll say Fernandez as #1....

In the article Buford says he didn't think that any of the guys would be able to help them out this year....which seems to suggest that he was probably going international with the first pick.

And my guess is that they had Rudy as the top-rated international guy....

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Originally Posted by genghisrex

Given that RC said they weren't necessarily looking to stash someone overseas, Dudley would make sense.

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I would guess it was Dudley too, if I had to guess.

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Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

In the article Buford says he didn't think that any of the guys would be able to help them out this year....which seems to suggest that he was probably going international with the first pick.

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... or it could just mean whoever they were going to pick was raw and not quite NBA ready. Not necessarily foreign.

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

:lmao @ LJ and I quoting the same parts of the article.

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Where are you guys? In different rooms at home, or is one of you out? I've seen this happen more than once! :lol

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

I wonder who was number 1.

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Greg oden, jejeje :p:

Dudley had Spur written all over him.

Wanted to come. Was compared to a Shane battier type player.

SOB....

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Originally Posted by RuffnReadyOzStyle

Where are you guys? In different rooms at home, or is one of you out? I've seen this happen more than once! :lol

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He's right next to me, that's why I laughed.

I cant believe he fell that low in the draft to us.....

Fernandez's game looks like a right handed Manu to me.

I was thinking Fernandez too but he went way quicker than I expected.

Spurs drafting sucks! [TPark/]

:rolleyes

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Originally Posted by DDS4

Fernandez's game looks like a right handed Manu to me.

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I really liked belinelli's game. I watched his game against Tim and the U.S. team. he lit em up...

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

He's right next to me, that's why I laughed.

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I thought you guys might talk about these things if you were sitting next to each other... :lol

I'm sitting here with a damn cold feeling depressed and thinking of the Japanese girl I should've married. I hate being sick, it really brings you down. But when I think about the Spurs and all you cool peeps, it does take the edge off a little... begone delirium! :dramaquee :spin

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Originally Posted by Kori Ellis

If they think he can become a good defender, that's good news because we already know he can score.

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Just a heads up for everyone, I am an avid Arizona Wildcats fan being that both of my parents are alum and was raised watching the likes of Elliott and Kerr ect. Although Marcus Williams can score many of his points come from being very active on the offensive glass where he used his length (long arms) to keep balls alive, he may not be able to do this playing with the big boys, he does not create well for himself off the dribble, does not have much of post game to speak of, does get open well off of screens from teammates but is very streaky with his jumper. The worst part maybe especially for this team is that his free throw % dropped from like 74% or something freshman year down to 65% for much of his sophomore year, I recall he shot very well the last 5 or 6 games of the season including the Pac 10 and NCAA tourneys to bring it back up to the 69% range. As for his defense tough to say as Lute had the Cats play a lot of zone this year which is unusual for him, historically has almost always played man to man. Also Lute Olsen had issues with his work ethic in practice on more than one occasion. I hope for him to succeed with us as a die hard Spurs fan and Wildcats fan but if he makes the team at all I don't see him having a great impact, but hopefully I'm wrong, maybe the next Richard Jefferson type?

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Originally Posted by RuffnReadyOzStyle

I thought you guys might talk about these things if you were sitting next to each other... :lol

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Well we weren't talking, we were both reading the article.

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I'm sitting here with a damn cold feeling depressed and thinking of the Japanese girl I should've married. I hate being sick, it really brings you down. But when I think about the Spurs and all you cool peeps, it does take the edge off a little... begone delirium! :dramaquee :spin

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I told you before that things happen for a reason. Some new, improved better woman is waiting on the horizon for you. Don't wallow around and miss her.

As DDUB says Williams averaged 2.1 orpg, a nice rate. He does have issues with his shot - he shoots in rhythm off the dribble but has problems with set shots (including free throws).

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Originally Posted by CosmicCowboy

I was thinking Fernandez too but he went way quicker than I expected.

Spurs drafting sucks! [TPark/]

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It does..

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Originally Posted by RuffnReadyOzStyle

I'm sitting here with a damn cold feeling depressed and thinking of the Japanese girl I should've married.

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Here



Depress those...

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Originally Posted by timvp

Damn, who was number one?

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Maybe the guy from BC? Dudley?

Daequan Cook

http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/655332.html

According to Powell, San Antonio attempted to grab Cook as high as the No. 16-pick. However, the Spurs were unable to work out a suitable deal with Washington to grab Cook that early.

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Originally Posted by genghisrex

Rudy Fernandez?

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Can you imagine what Suns' fans will think if he becomes the next "Manu" on the next incarnation of the Spurs (Portland)?

Being that one clutch X-factor on the one defense-oriented team out there standing in the way of their delusional dream of run-n-gun basketball utopia?

Knowing that their team gave him away for cash?

Someone please queue the Twilight Zone theme song. :drunk

Daequan Cook?

I guess hes this year's Jameer Nelson.

Suns have sold 3 1st round picks in the past 2 years. And they have a very shallow bench. I don't know why the Suns have been getting a free ride the past 2 years with their inept bungling of the draft.

I'm very happy

When he started his carrer here a lot of people thought he would be better than Nene and Varejao, but after he went to Tau his game didn't improve much.

But he's a guy who works hard and I think he can help us in the future.

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Originally Posted by CosmicCowboy

I was thinking Fernandez too but he went way quicker than I expected.

Spurs drafting sucks! [TPark/]

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:lol probably. Because the Spurs at least went to the conference finals for a good pretty number of years.

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Originally Posted by coopdogg3

Suns have sold 3 1st round picks in the past 2 years. And they have a very shallow bench. I don't know why the Suns have been getting a free ride the past 2 years with their inept bungling of the draft.

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some people here give the spurs a hard time for trading picks and taking euros but hell at least they don't outright sell the pick to the highest bidder.

Spurs have had a very good draft night : Splitter is a great pick, Marcus Williams seems to have some serious upside and trading a 58th pick for a future second round pick can't be a bad deal.

However, Spurs biggest need this offseason is a SF/PF and to a lesser extend a long term answer as the backup PG spot. None have been solved during the draft. Is it because Spurs don't think that they really need a SF/PF after the title this year ? Or is it because no good SF/PF were available and Spurs have decided to solve this need via FA or trade ?

We will see, but given that no SF/PF have been drafted around 28/33 (the first SF/PF drafted after the 28th pick is Reyshawn Terry at 44), I hope that Spurs will get a SF/PF this summer.

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Originally Posted by T Park

:rolleyes

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If drafting a proven commodity that is 7 feet sucks.....then that statement right there proves we have the correct people working in the front office! a 6'7 versatile swing man that will not be thrown into the fire will prove priceless if the lightbulb goes off in his head. Folks we wanted young and the spurs are going to be really young come next year......but we still will have enough veteran leadership and know how to compete and hopefully keep this thing going. The future is very very bright, so put on your shades and put away the mentality that has doomed other franchises/fans!

2008-2009 season; had to clarify

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Originally Posted by Slinkyman

some people here give the spurs a hard time for trading picks and taking euros but hell at least they don't outright sell the pick to the highest bidder.

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I've been one to exhibit some frustration with the Spurs. But, yes, I'm bewildered by the Suns' moves (of course, any agony those petulant, sense-of-entitlement Suns' fans endure is sheer delight for me).

I like what the Spurs have done in this draft. Splitter looks like the spitting image of Biedrins (maybe bigger, maybe better) or, perhaps, a pre-injury version of Javtokas with actual basketball skills.

I like Marcus Williams, too. He's certainly got talent. If he's got the burning desire and the attitude, he could be a cross between Kevin Martin and Josh Howard...or, if he doesn't, a cross between Chris Carawell and Sweet-Pea Daniels. :p: Obviously, it's way too early to evaluate Williams' future success as a Spur, but I do like the Spurs-Arizona connection.

Mostly, I give props to the Spurs for not reaching to take a point guard from a pool of talent apparently weaker than I had thought. Everything from all those pg's they chose to workout to their obvious need suggested that they were intent on drafting a backup pg. (Big props also to timvp for his talent-evaluating skills in recognizing that fact.)

But it looks to me that they went BPA all the way. That's all I can ask.

However, apparently there was indeed a "Cassell" of this draft. Darnit, the Rockets found him again, and his name happens to be (drumroll, please):

Scotty ...er... Aaron Brooks :oink

As a Nuggets fan, Im really sad you selected Splitter. Good job guys. Splitter will make your team better.

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Originally Posted by Spurs Brazil

I'm very happy

When he started his carrer here a lot of people thought he would be better than Nene and Varejao, but after he went to Tau his game didn't improve much.

But he's a guy who works hard and I think he can help us in the future.

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Well, he´s a LOT more skilled than Varejao. It isnt even close. In fact, in the last world championship Splitter was the only brazilian player to play at high level.

That said, Nene is better than Splitter and he´ll own him in the near future... ;)