Tiago Splitter Close to Signing Two-Year Extension with Tau

[midgetonadonkey]

Splitter might be worried about playing time and this might be away of leveraging some guaranteed minutes...

He knows he has to get past the rookie scale...he's not stupid about that, but if he winds up buried on the bench like Matt Bonner he won't get past the rookie scale, or maybe he doesn't want to wind up like Beno, so he's maybe trying to get some type of commitment from the Spurs to protect himself from being buried on the bench for 3 years or so.



He's really being silly though, all he has to do is look at the roster and he should realize he'll get plenty of minutes...

I'm sure he doesn't know about . It's his agent. He is probably dumb as a ing rock when it comes to things that aren't x's and o's on the court.

[Bruno]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...k.40511f6.html

Splitter staying? According to a report in a Brazilian publication, Tiago Splitter, the power forward-center the Spurs drafted in the 2007 draft, has agreed to a two-year contract extension with Tau Ceramica, the Spanish League team for which he has played the past four seasons.

The report indicated Splitter will make about eight times more than the NBA rookie scale maximum the Spurs are allowed to pay him next season, $809,300.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said he would not comment about Splitter based on an unofficial report.

I miss Johnny Ludden...

[boutons_]

"hes that good."

plus, every big not Tim is that bad (or will be absent).

[mystargtr34]

Man im nervous.

Were talkin about our starting Center next year.... hes oir Andrew Bynum.

Hes atheltic, he can catch and finish and he has a high IQ

Oh... and hes 7 feet.
Come on Tiago

[kobyz]

please please please pay TAU as much that they want to give up on splitter!!

we must have him!!

[hsxvvd]

Maybe we can strike a deal with Tau to back off Splitter and we'll send them Bonner and pay his wages.

[Harry Callahan]

I hope the FO can put on a recruiting hat and get over to Spain or Brazil quickly. The sooner Splitter gets over here, the sooner he can get experience against the best players in the world and get a better contract. You know, Kevin Durrant could have gone to Spain and gotten paid big money too, but now he is one year closer to his 2nd deal.

Working for a tile company (Tau Ceramica is a huge tile company in Spain, FYI) and playing in a 2nd tier pro league seems a little bit empty to me even if the money might be better in the short term. I know about the tax stuff and the car stuff blah, blah, blah kill bill. It would be kind of demeaning if the Spurs had to wear CAT Logos all over their uniforms similar to the Euroleague product placement stuff (Holt has probably thought about that, though). The NBA has not gone the NASCAR route yet.

Beckham is doing the same thing right now (going for the cash) over here with MLS. Just going for the money. Does anyone REALLY care about that league. Does winning a Eurocup or whatever it is they play for mean that much to anyone - does anyone remember or care who won last years Grey Cup (CFL)?

Being paid $5-6 Million dollars guaranteed over 3-4 years in the U.S. is a LOT of money too. I know my silver and black glasses are on here.

[endrity]

I hope the FO can put on a recruiting hat and get over to Spain or Brazil quickly. The sooner Splitter gets over here, the sooner he can get experience against the best players in the world and get a better contract. You know, Kevin Durrant could have gone to Spain and gotten paid big money too, but now he is one year closer to his 2nd deal.

Working for a tile company (Tau Ceramica is a huge tile company in Spain, FYI) and playing in a 2nd tier pro league seems a little bit empty to me even if the money might be better in the short term. I know about the tax stuff and the car stuff blah, blah, blah kill bill. It would be kind of demeaning if the Spurs had to wear CAT Logos all over their uniforms similar to the Euroleague product placement stuff (Holt has probably thought about that, though). The NBA has not gone the NASCAR route yet.

Beckham is doing the same thing right now (going for the cash) over here with MLS. Just going for the money. Does anyone REALLY care about that league. Does winning a Eurocup or whatever it is they play for mean that much to anyone - does anyone remember or care who won last years Grey Cup (CFL)?

Being paid $5-6 Million dollars guaranteed over 3-4 years in the U.S. is a LOT of money too. I know my silver and black glasses are on here.

That is pretty much the essence of it all. You are only seeing this from your perspective, not Tiago's.

People care about winning the Euroleague, the fans are much more passionate over in Europe. The Spanish league, and the Euroleague, are 2nd tier only compared to the NBA. You are using that term very loosely. He is getting paid very well, maybe better than he would even in the future in the US.

And this is not the same as Beckham's situation. Becks had already achived everything in Europe, he had won every trophy with his clubs. Seeing he had 2-3 years left at best, he wanted a new challenge, one that paid well, and where he could spread his image in a new market. Tiago meanwhile, doesnt' quite know what to expect in the NBA, and he is already being treated very well in Europe.

Regarding advertising, well everyone does it in Europe, even soccer. The only exeption is Barcelona, they have the logo of Unicef on their shirts. I don't see it as very demeaning, the colors of the shirt are what matters.

[stxspurs]

we can olny hope he doesnt burn san antonio and his chances in the nba

[BacktoBasics]

I'm as excited about Splitter as the next guy but you guys have put way too much value on him. If we are lucky and I mean moons asligned lucky he'll be 2/3rds of what Scola is. I figure him at best his first 2 or so seasons to be a 6 or 7 and 3 or 4 guy off the bench. I would be elated if that were the case. Some of you are the same guys that kept saying Ian would be the starting center this year. That guy like I've always said is still miles away from being any kind of factor. Is Splitter a much more polished talented player YES but this guy is not going to come in and put up Bynum numbers Bynum has barely put up Bynum numbers. We'd be lucky to see Yi type numbers.

[stxspurs]

walter craparita just said on the radio he signed back with tau for 2 years......i dont know how creditable he is or his source...but i thought id pass on what i heard

[DaDakota]

Just imagine if these players is now consider veteran how this will drive such coach like this crazy.

Rick Adelman treated Luis Scola like a veteran, he didn't even have to do any of the usual rookie stuff like carrying luggage.

Again, the problem is the rookie salary wage for the first round, European players can make more money over there, why come over for less, and then MAYBE not get a shot to play?

The NBA needs to do something about it or the better Euro players will stop coming over if they are subjected to the Rookie salary cap.

Maybe you are only subjected to the Rookie cap for 1 or 2 years, then your rights are owned but you can sign for whatever the team has available etc...

I mean Scola was a rookie and he got $3 million or so this year.....

Portland is having the Euro rookie issue with Rudy Fernandez, and it will become more and more prevelant going forward......

Something needs to be done.

Oh, and Kill Bill...send V-Span back to Houston, we need him to replace Alston...BADLY !

DD

[endrity]

I'm as excited about Splitter as the next guy but you guys have put way too much value on him. If we are lucky and I mean moons asligned lucky he'll be 2/3rds of what Scola is. I figure him at best his first 2 or so seasons to be a 6 or 7 and 3 or 4 guy off the bench. I would be elated if that were the case. Some of you are the same guys that kept saying Ian would be the starting center this year. That guy like I've always said is still miles away from being any kind of factor. Is Splitter a much more polished talented player YES but this guy is not going to come in and put up Bynum numbers Bynum has barely put up Bynum numbers. We'd be lucky to see Yi type numbers.

Splitter is better than Yi, he has been playing top level compe ion for years. He was most likely going to put Scola numbers and be a decent starter next to Duncan.

[Oh, Gee!!]

It's his agent.

ding, ding, ding.....we have a winner. The agent is gonna hold the Spurs hostage just like Scola's agent did.

[endrity]

Dakota,

the solution should be that if a player has played professionally before than he should be exempt from the rookie scale, and some other scale should be created.

Another scale is needed, because if the current economic situation keeps up, and the NBA gets their age limit to 20, what would prevent future LeBrons from going to Europe for a year or two, and then return to the NBA at age 20 and ask for a max deal immediately? It would actually be their most reasonable solution.

[Bruno]

Spurs' fans shouldn't have too much hope about Splitter. Chances that he signs with SA are very, very low.
I don't think that he has signed right now but he should do it very soon.
Baring a miracle, Splitter has ed Spurs.

[Indazone]

The Euroleague Rookie status is ridiculous. It should be scrapped immediately.

[BacktoBasics]

Splitter is better than Yi, he has been playing top level compe ion for years. He was most likely going to put Scola numbers and be a decent starter next to Duncan.

He hasn't got nearly the size and low post skills of Scola. I think he's a great project with good upside but he's not going to come in and be a 12 and 8 player. You're insane to think that Pop will give this kid 35 minutes a night.

[K-State Spur]

The Spanish league, and the Euroleague, are 2nd tier only compared to the NBA. You are using that term very loosely.

Hrmm, since the Spurs are an NBA team, it would seem that second tier is quite applicable.

[DaDakota]

Dakota,

the solution should be that if a player has played professionally before than he should be exempt from the rookie scale, and some other scale should be created.

Another scale is needed, because if the current economic situation keeps up, and the NBA gets their age limit to 20, what would prevent future LeBrons from going to Europe for a year or two, and then return to the NBA at age 20 and ask for a max deal immediately? It would actually be their most reasonable solution.

No doubt, and one that I am sure the NCAA would hate, but the Euro leagues and young players would love.

And honestly, why shouldn't US players get the same benefit of playing professional ball like the Europeans do? If I was an 18 year old stud bball player, why not go play for millions in Europe for 2 years instead of college? Talk about FUN !!!

Endrity, I do like your exemption for Professional players, but I think the NCAA would scream bloody murder.....still it works though.

DD

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I hope the FO can put on a recruiting hat and get over to Spain or Brazil quickly. The sooner Splitter gets over here, the sooner he can get experience against the best players in the world and get a better contract. You know, Kevin Durrant could have gone to Spain and gotten paid big money too, but now he is one year closer to his 2nd deal.

Working for a tile company (Tau Ceramica is a huge tile company in Spain, FYI) and playing in a 2nd tier pro league seems a little bit empty to me even if the money might be better in the short term. I know about the tax stuff and the car stuff blah, blah, blah kill bill. It would be kind of demeaning if the Spurs had to wear CAT Logos all over their uniforms similar to the Euroleague product placement stuff (Holt has probably thought about that, though). The NBA has not gone the NASCAR route yet.

Beckham is doing the same thing right now (going for the cash) over here with MLS. Just going for the money. Does anyone REALLY care about that league. Does winning a Eurocup or whatever it is they play for mean that much to anyone - does anyone remember or care who won last years Grey Cup (CFL)?

Being paid $5-6 Million dollars guaranteed over 3-4 years in the U.S. is a LOT of money too. I know my silver and black glasses are on here.

Why do American always bring up Beckham and MLS in these example?

WORST soccer league maybe in world is MLS. Euroleague is #2 basketball league in world. Beckham is CRAP player. Do you not understand this? He is not good enough player to play in best leagues. Why you keep make comparisons that is such nonsense?

[Holt's Cat]

Spurs' fans shouldn't have too much hope about Splitter. Chances that he signs with SA are very, very low.
I don't think that he has signed right now but he should do it very soon.
Baring a miracle, Splitter has ed Spurs.

Then Ian gets an extra year to take that starting spot away from him.

[juncan]

Marc Stein from ESPN.com:

Brazil's Tiago Splitter said this week that he's committed to staying in Spain next season with perennial Euroleague power Tau Ceramica, but the Spurs are quietly optimistic that they'll be able to lure Splitter to the States for the 2009-10 season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyd...ge=dime-080530

Johnny Ludden：

The Spurs had hoped to bring over last year’s first-round pick, Tiago Splitter, to improve their frontline next season, but the Brazilian forward reportedly has decided to sign a larger contract to remain in Spain. With the U.S. dollar weakening against the Euro and Russia’s big-money teams inflating the Euroleague market, Splitter figures to receive millions more than he would get from the Spurs. Spurs officials, who haven’t received official word from Splitter’s representative about the contract, could have to wait another two years to sign him.

One coach said Splitter’s decision could be a “blessing in disguise” for the Spurs because it would force them to take a longer look at their 2005 first-round pick, 21-year-old French forward Ian Mahinmi. But even that’s wishful thinking. A number of NBA scouts predicted Splitter to become a productive rotation member, if not a starter, while Mahinmi, despite his tremendous athleticism, is still learning the game.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...yhoo&type=lgns

[Holt's Cat]

Why do American always bring up Beckham and MLS in these example?

WORST soccer league maybe in world is MLS. Euroleague is #2 basketball league in world. Beckham is CRAP player. Do you not understand this? He is not good enough player to play in best leagues. Why you keep make comparisons that is such nonsense?

At least the MLS/Beckham deal is a real example of an inferior league handing out a large contract to a player from a superior league, instead of some great Greek myth.

[Holt's Cat]

One coach said Splitter’s decision could be a “blessing in disguise” for the Spurs because it would force them to take a longer look at their 2005 first-round pick, 21-year-old French forward Ian Mahinmi.

Indeed. Ian needs some on the job training now. He's not going to become what the Spurs need him to become by playing against scrubs in Austin or by sitting behind the bench.

As for Splitter, he's chasing the money right now, but he's just delaying the NBA long-term guaranteed money. And he's giving his eventual chief rival for a starting spot more time to prepare.