Interesting Article on Splitter, Mahinmi, and Javtokas

[SenorSpur]

ugh

the single handid choker for the Nuggets against the Spurs last year? No thank you.

I'm certainly no Najera apologist, but I was shocked that he'd expanded his shooting range to 3-pt land. Because he WILL play defense, I thought he would be of better use than what we're currently getting out of Bonner.

[Bruno]

Frenchman Ian Mahimni is an almost identical build to Splitter (same height, six pounds lighter at 230) and coming off an exceptional year in the NBA Development League with the Austin Toros, having averaged 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds a game.
Iowa Energy coach Nick Nurse, who has has spent much of his career in Europe and is currently an assistant with the GB national team has seen Mahimni ten times this season. "He's got all the talent in the world," says Nurse.
"He's extremely talented, athletic, shoots it facing up and he has some good fight in his game. At the end of the season he was banged up and wasn't 100 per cent but he was still right in there, battling.
"Of course, being ready for the NBA and being ready to make it onto the Spurs are two different things and he needs more experience and to get more physical. But he showed some flashes of sheer brilliance this season."

From bust to an interesting prospect, what a difference a year makes.



Regarding Javtokas, I don't see Spurs being interested to sign him. They have just a lot of better bigs than him.
However, I think that Javtokas can find a niche in NBA in the Brian Skinner mold. If he wants to come in NBA and if a team is ready to give him the money he wants, I think Spurs will trade his rights for something like a second round pick.

[T Park]

If we can get a decent young PG out of the draft or summer leaguers, Bonner + Vaughn for Tim Thomas, doesn't sound all that bad, if it works under CBA, right ?

First off, why would the Clippers do that.

Second off, Why in the would you want Tim Thomas?!?!?!

God god no...

[Manufan909]

In that video Javtokas looked really awesome, but maybe not more athletic than Dwight. Someone might've already answered, but does anyone own his rights in the NBA right now?

EDIT: I just looked again and someone had answered already. Since I haven't heard of him being of interest I guess he won't play on the Spurs for a while, but he looks really explosive, maybe Tiago or Ian have that same explosiveness to their game, but I don't think so.

[T Park]

In that video Javtokas looked really awesome, but maybe not more athletic than Dwight. Someone might've already answered, but does anyone own his rights in the NBA right now?

The Spurs do.

[Manufan909]

So he is just another player we have our eyes on?

[T Park]

So he is just another player we have our eyes on?

The eyes have shifted else where.

He lost out on his chance to go to the NBA when he went Diva on the Spurs a couple years ago.

[ChumpDumper]

I'm sure Javtokas would still want a big chunk of the MLE, and the Spurs need to spend that on other positions.

[Indazone]

Are you sure you're not thinking of pre-motorcycle accident Javtokas? Even then, that's quite a stretch.

At ude issue? Can't be worse than Darko can it?

[timvp]

Javtokas had his chance and blew it when he got mad at the Spurs for signing Elson. He said Elson was too much compe ion so he'd stay in Europe. If Javtokas doesn't think he can beat out Elson, I don't want him on the Spurs. However, it'd be nice if the Spurs could trade him for anything of value. A second round pick or moving up a couple spots in the first round would be good enough value.

It's tough for me to tell who is the better prospect -- Mahinmi or Splitter. Splitter plays in the tougher league and has more experience. Mahinmi puts up the better number and is more explosive athletically. I'd guess Splitter is the better prospect based on how refined his game is but I could easily be wrong.

I'm looking forward to Splitter's game today. Big game, underdog role ... should be interesting to see what he can do.

[Manufan909]

When is the game in central time?

[El Jefe]

Splitter must improve much when have "struggle" with such defender.

Sorry, I did not make myself clear. I watched that particular game more with an eye towards Splitter's defense and rebounding. Since it was a few months ago, I do not recall his offensive contributions clearly. When I said he struggled, it was more about his defense against Jackson. Jackson's bulk really gave him issues in the post. He scrapped and fought, but he struggled to hold position. As a result, there was foul trouble if I recall correctly.

I'm still intrigued by Splitter as a possibility for next season, hoping that he can be a nice compliment off the bench to Kurt Thomas and his muscle.

[TheProfessor]

When is the game in central time?

I think 2:00 Central.

[T Park]

However, it'd be nice if the Spurs could trade him for anything of value. A second round pick or moving up a couple spots in the first round would be good enough value

Yeah that would be the glass half full look at Javotokas right now.

If that could move em up from 26 to 24, the Javtokas draft pick would be a success.



BTW, Splitter's game starts in 26 minutes and this will be the first time I would see him live, so I'm excited about this game.

[T Park]

Sorry, I did not make myself clear. I watched that particular game more with an eye towards Splitter's defense and rebounding. Since it was a few months ago, I do not recall his offensive contributions clearly. When I said he struggled, it was more about his defense against Jackson. Jackson's bulk really gave him issues in the post. He scrapped and fought, but he struggled to hold position. As a result, there was foul trouble if I recall correctly.

How did he do defensively against the more athletic forwards in the game?

Duncan can guard the bulkier guys, could Splitter guard an Amare Stoudamire?

[mountainballer]

Maccabi Tel Aviv just won the first semifinals game, after an unbelievable comeback.
Siena started great and was up by 18 points, but Maccabi came back, led by Alex Garcia, who made the best game in his Euroleague career. (19 points)
IMO the most interesting player for the Spurs scouts should have been Terence Morris and he in fact delivered another good performance.

if this game should have decided about Casspi's future in the NBA (as the article made think), he won't have much of a future. surprisingly he started, but played just 5 minutes. Maccabi could also have played with 4 players in that span.

[T Park]

IMO the most interesting player for the Spurs scouts should have been Terence Morris and he in fact delivered another good performance.

Yeah he was intriguing...

[TheProfessor]

Maccabi Tel Aviv just won the first semifinals game, after an unbelievable comeback.
Siena started great and was up by 18 points, but Maccabi came back, led by Alex Garcia, who made the best game in his Euroleague career. (19 points)
IMO the most interesting player for the Spurs scouts should have been Terence Morris and he in fact delivered another good performance.

if this game should have decided about Casspi's future in the NBA (as the article made think), he won't have much of a future. surprisingly he started, but played just 5 minutes. Maccabi could also have played with 4 players in that span.

I was wondering if Casspi saw any minutes. That's just going to piss him off worse. He could still sneak into the first round with a good camp and some workouts, but this won't help any.

Morris looked good, got an especially tough board in the waning moments that impressed me. He's playing PF right now, but would that translate back to the states? Could he play more of a combo-forward role?

[timvp]

Terence Morris isn't an NBA player. He's too weak to play PF and too slow to play SF. He got invited to Spurs training camp four or five years ago and was one of the first cuts.

He does have the perfect Euro game, however. Undersized, cerebral power forwards always thrive in Europe.

[tav1]

What the status on the Ramunas Siskauskas rumors?

[Bartleby]

What the status on the Ramunas Siskauskas rumors?

He is mentioned here:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthre...=82911&page=17

[timvp]

They just said Splitter isn't playing. WTF? Problem with his elbow

[T Park]

Tiago Splitter is out for the game with an inflamed elbow

Figures!!

[T Park]

They just said Splitter isn't playing. WTF? Problem with his elbow

Yeah this is the first time I've heard hes had an injury of any kind.

[mountainballer]

Terence Morris isn't an NBA player. He's too weak to play PF and too slow to play SF. He got invited to Spurs training camp four or five years ago and was one of the first cuts.

He does have the perfect Euro game, however. Undersized, cerebral power forwards always thrive in Europe.

I just claim that the Terence Morris of today isn't the same he was 5 years ago. sometimes player improve, for whatever reason.
he isn't undersized. great size for a SF, decent size for a PF. also for NBA standards.
don't know how he did it, but he found his forever lost shooting stroke. hit the jumpers sometimes at a ridiculous rate. athleticism level is great in Europe, should still be decent in the NBA.
undersized cerebral PFs Scola and Garbajosa somehow didn't look that bad in the NBA.
undersized cerebral Center Oberto somehow didn't look that bad with the Spurs.