Former Spur: Tiago Splitter

[Blackjack]

Biedrins

Just from a physical standpoint, that's a pretty decent comparison.(Although, I'm pretty sure Biedrins has more length.)

[Bruno]

"Next year" being 2010-2011? With him having to pay his own buyout and the Spurs hamstrung by the rookie scale, is there any way it's even possible to happen earlier?

"Next year" is 09-10.

AFAIK, Splitter hasn't a NBA buyout clause in his contract this summer. He can't leave Tau without the consent of the team.
You can imagine a scenario where Splitter wants to play in NBA as soon as 09-10 and Tau isn't that sad to let him go (and to receive $500K in return).

I don't want to create false hope among Spurs fans: this scenario is quite unlikely. On the ACB's forum, there is poster claiming that some king of inside source told him that Splitter could go in the NBA but it isn't enough to be optimistic/excited.

[ploto]

Splitter reminds me of Rasho- sorry to disappoint Spurs fans.

He is not like Pau at all.

[Bruno]

Splitter is just ten times more mobile than Rasho.

[biziofromdowntown]

Splitter is the Beta version of Varejao or Noah

[EricB]

Splitter is just ten times more mobile than Rasho.

Ignore ploto, she has no purpose on this forum other than being the forum attention .

[Stump]

Ignore ploto, she has no purpose on this forum other than being the forum attention .

Atleast she's not the forum bag.

[Obstructed_View]

Splitter reminds me of Rasho- sorry to disappoint Spurs fans.

He is not like Pau at all.

The only flaw Rasho really had was that he was overpaid. I'd be happy with someone that contributes like he did if it didn't suck up a huge portion of the salary cap to do it.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I was so hard on the guy back in 04-06 for only standing there with his hands straight up when a slasher got into the lane....but looking back on it, that style of spurs defense was still way superior to the brand we played last year. Ugh. Can't believe I just said that.

[bigdog]

I was so hard on the guy back in 04-06 for only standing there with his hands straight up when a slasher got into the lane....but looking back on it, that style of spurs defense was still way superior to the brand we played last year. Ugh. Can't believe I just said that.

Not only was the Spurs' defense much, much better back then, but Rasho is one of the best defensive bigs we've had since Robinson retired. He never backed down to anyone down low and even guarded the likes of Shaq pretty decent.

[ploto]

What I meant was Splitter will bang on the defensive end but is fairly soft on the offensive end. He does not have post moves like Gasol at all. His skill set is similar to what Rasho brought to the Spurs. Tiago can be a role player and that is all.

[Obstructed_View]

I was so hard on the guy back in 04-06 for only standing there with his hands straight up when a slasher got into the lane....but looking back on it, that style of spurs defense was still way superior to the brand we played last year. Ugh. Can't believe I just said that.

He got blocks when he could but could intimidate shots inside without getting into foul trouble. Duncan did that a lot back then, too. It's obviously a skill that takes some work; Dwight Howard can't do it.

[Blackjack]

Sunday, June 21st, 2009...9:49 pm
Tiago Splitter, Trade Asset

The Draft is almost upon us. There have been several reports that the Spurs are looking to trade into the first round, with one rumor having them interested in Washington’s 5th pick. But, honestly, we heard similar things last year. The cold reality of limited assets and the tough business of locating agreeable trade partners quiets most of the rumor-mongering.

This year’s trade speculation rests against the backdrop of needed change, with almost all those who follow the Spurs calling for or expecting overhaul this offseason. Don Harris recently quoted Spurs color analyst and family member Sean Elliott saying, “…I would fully expect us to have a revamped team next season.” His expectation seems universal.

A few of our readers have asked, given the team’s limited assets, whether Tiago Splitter’s rights could help a trade proposal go through. If Splitter is not tied to the rookie scale, as we’ve previously argued, one would think his rights would hold some value, certainly more than we assumed a year ago.

Tiago Splitter projects as an NBA starter, or at least a quality rotation big. He’s only 24 years old, but has the professional experience of a seasoned vet. And in this topsy-turvy economy, one wonders if his buyout situation is not actually attractive to teams. Put differently, if you’re a team that is not enamored with adding a rookie to your 2009-10 payroll, acquiring the rights to a talented big who requires zero immediate payment (and won’t until at least next summer) is something of a win-win. You avoid the cap hit, but still get to add a valuable player to your pipeline. Looking at the bigs available in this draft, Splitter would probably rank with Jordan Hill and DeJuan Blair, not far behind Hasheem Thabeet. Some might rank him ahead of the other three.

If this is the case, why would the Spurs want to give him up? If he came to the team next season, he’s a lock for a productive 25 mpg.

The simple answer is that he provides an asset the team currently lacks. He’s the young prospect that could put a cap relief package over the top. And again, that’s with the added luxury of staying off the books until at least 2010.

The Spurs recent dalliance with Yiannis Bouroussis is an indicator that shoring up their front line is an immediate priority, one that Tim Duncan cannot afford for them to sit on for another year. I expect the team to target another big with their MLE (Charlie Villanueva?). Then there is the possibility of Ian Mahinmi bouncing back from injury and contributing to the rotation. And most of us expect that if Chris Bosh is available next summer, the Spurs will use their cap space to make a run at him, however unlikely the odds. Add all that up. Where does Tiago Splitter fit into the puzzle?

But that’s on the optimistic view. The pessimist is happy to respond by saying the Spurs could strike out in free agency, Mahinmi could flop, and the team could completely miss their 2010 free agent target. If some combination of those things were to occur, Splitter is a mighty nice insurance policy.

Obviously, he’s the sort of asset one doesn’t just give away. There is no question he benefits the team a year from now. The question, however, is could he benefit the team 4 days from now? And if so, to what degree and how?

So to our readers who’ve asked what value Splitter’s rights hold, my answer is a curiosity struck “dunno.” I’d like to think he could command a pick somewhere between 10 and 20, but I also see the world through shades of silver and black.


http://www.48minutesof .com/2009/...r-trade-asset/

[velik_m]

What I meant was Splitter will bang on the defensive end but is fairly soft on the offensive end. He does not have post moves like Gasol at all. His skill set is similar to what Rasho brought to the Spurs. Tiago can be a role player and that is all.

The hook shots are the only similarity Splitter has with Rasho. Otherwise they're completely different players - for one Rasho has a superior jump shot, Splitter almost never shoots outside the paint. Splitter is also way more mobile and he uses it to his advantage.

[Libri]

The hook shots are the only similarity Splitter has with Rasho. Otherwise they're completely different players - for one Rasho has a superior jump shot, Splitter almost never shoots outside the paint. Splitter is also way more mobile and he uses it to his advantage.

Does Splitter have any type of mid-range shot? I am wondering if Tiago is able to make the short jumper if required. If he can't make the short jumper, teams will sag off of him and crowd the paint.

[velik_m]

Does Splitter have any type of mid-range shot?

Not really, nothing reliable anyhow. It's one of the things he needs to work on.

[ploto]

I expect the team to target another big with their MLE (Charlie Villanueva?).

-to-the-no

[Gino2882]

Villanueva would be a very good addition. He is a really solid player.

[Big P]

Villanueva would be a very good addition. He is a really solid player.

Not for the whole MLE...I'd be all right with the LLE.

[Chieflion]

Not for the whole MLE...I'd be all right with the LLE.

Why in the world do you think Milwaukee is trying to move players to avoid the lux tax while signing him and Sessions? He would most likely be paid the MLE.

[timvp]

With the way RC talked in the post-RJ trade video, could he possibly have been referring to Splitter when he talked about bringing over some of the overseas guys? The RJ trade would make even more sense if the Spurs found out that Splitter was ready to cross the pond.

If you can't get McDyess, going with Splitter, Mahinmi and a random vet big (Rasho-type player) might actually be enough.

[Marcus Bryant]

I thought he had to wait until next summer to get anything more than the rookie scale. If he was willing to take that, that would create even more 'opportunities' this offseason.

[loveforthegame]

With the way RC talked in the post-RJ trade video, could he possibly have been referring to Splitter when he talked about bringing over some of the overseas guys? The RJ trade would make even more sense if the Spurs found out that Splitter was ready to cross the pond.

If you can't get McDyess, going with Splitter, Mahinmi and a random vet big (Rasho-type player) might actually be enough.

Splitter came to mind first, then Gist when he mentioned the possibilty of previous draft picks coming over.

[TheProfessor]

Actually, with Splitter likely waiting until next year and our immediate frontcourt need, I thought of Javtokas. Even if Spurs paid more than they'd like to, he'd still be cheaper than a lot of big man options currently available. Not certain if those bridges are thoroughly burned though.

[Blackjack]

With the way RC talked in the post-RJ trade video, could he possibly have been referring to Splitter when he talked about bringing over some of the overseas guys? The RJ trade would make even more sense if the Spurs found out that Splitter was ready to cross the pond.

If you can't get McDyess, going with Splitter, Mahinmi and a random vet big (Rasho-type player) might actually be enough.

I wasn't even sure if this was a possibility but I have been starting to wonder.

FWIW, some guy called into STSA claiming he'd been told by someone that Tiago was indeed coming over and that it would be made known in the next 7-10 days, but I have a hard time nor questioning the guy's legitimacy. (Although, it sure seems like just about the time I believe there's no shot of something happening for the Spurs, something usually happens.)

If the scenario you suggest were to play out, I'm not sure you could ask for much better.(Rasheed's my preference but Dyess would be more than adequate)