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He'll be 27 in 2012.
If Spurs want to match offers from biggest team in Europe, I woudl say their offer should be around $4M per year.
I also don't see Spurs starting a bidding war with teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. IMO, they will make an offer and let Splitter decide between playing in the NBA and getting more money in Europe.
The main NBA edge is that he will play in a way better league than in Europe. There is also the attraction of the big contract. If Splitter signs a 3 years contract with a player option on the third year, he could get a big contract in 2012 (he will be 30 at that time).
He'll be 27 in 2012.
Oops, thanks.
Playing the NBA is the big carrot, but I wonder how Splitter sees the additions we've made upfront affecting his desire to come next summer. Conceivably, he'd come the Spurs as the 5th big in the rotation (assuming we resign Bonner, and Blair continues to evolve). Has the player given any indication that he wants guaranteed minutes, etc.?
Tiago probably has been told he will get major minutes if he comes over. The Spurs have been looking for a center for awhile. Blair is really no threat to him seeing as undersized PF, limited offensively and really can't play Center.
Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember an issue the last time he was up to come over that the lack of being promised a big role/starter was a concern. Because the Spurs don't promise minutes to any one, as they say.
If I'm wrong I apologize.
Yes it was a concern last time but the Spurs had more big body's at lower a cost and the team overseas gave him a great contract. At his age it made more sense sign the bigger deal. The Spurs by there own omission concede they really didn't do much improving the last couple of year cause they were such a solid team. Pau was Mem, Aldridge was average, Howard was extremely raw, KG was Stuck in Minny and Bynum just came into the League. Pop knows eventually he will need a young big who can become a decent low defender with some offensive skills.
His opitions of find those traits in the draft and FA will be difficult.
I can see Pop because of those reason making a promise to Tiago on a reasonable amount of playing time. Tiago can look at this team and see he will get playing time. Ian contract wasn't picked up, Blair is a undersized PF, Pop wants to minimize Duncan's minutes, Dice and Theo at there age are not 40 minute guys. Honestly the only person he has to worry about is Bonner cause Pop like Bonner ability to space the floor.
Last edited by dc_spursfan; 11-01-2009 at 02:03 AM.
Being 27 actually puts him in a position to earn at least two good NBA contracts, if he extends his first until he's 30, he'll still be young enough to command a good price on the market.Oops, thanks.
http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/mickeal/index.php
Pete Mickael was Splitter's teammate between 2007 and 2009.
When was that blog written? Go to the NBA is two years??????
Does he mean next season? We need him here next season.
Im sure it was just a throw away line... i dont think Mikael knows the exact situation with the Spurs and Tiago...
I remember him saying something about Splitter about a year ago... good praise.
Splitter will be one of the best centers in the NBA, it was a great pick by R.C. - Splitter was a top 5 talent in that draft and we gut him late in the first round, it was bigger steal than the Blair pick!!
Is he still thought to be better than Marc Gasol?
Marc is a tougher player, but Tiago has unique skills in Europe, and he'll be such an especial player in NBA
Can people who have seen Splitter play opine on how compatible a Blair/Splitter post tandem would work? I ask because Blair seems to be most effective under the basket, and I foresee spacing issues if Tiago thrives in the same location.
the two don't look like the most natural fit together, but this doesn't mean much at this point IMO. and it's always about two directions. on defense I can see them fit well. Blair as the space eater below the rim, he is stronger and the better rebounder than Tiago. Tiago as the much more mobile of the two will be a better fit for defending PFs, especially on those who constantly step out.
on offense it will be problematic, considering Tiago lacks any range. this will be a difficult thing, to find a role for both alongside on offense.
on the other hand, both seem to be pretty smart and understand what they need to do. a good option might be, that Tiago can put the ball on the floor and drive by his defender. and he is a very good passer and also sets good screens. so it should be possible to find a role for him, operating from the high post. more as a facilitator, than as the primary post scorer.
Plus having two young, talented, reasonably priced big men is a problem most teams would like to have. Even if their games do not perfectly compliment one another. Having made the RJ and Dice decisions, Splitter represents the best chance for a real talent infusion next summer.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Caja defeated Union Olimpija 82-76
Splitter had an average line
30 MIN
11 PTS
7 RBS
2 AST
1 BLK
3-7 FG
5-7 FT
Through three games in Euroleague, Caja is 2-1....
Tiago's numbers....
32 MPG
18 PPG
7.7 RPG
2.7 APG
60% FG
1 BPG
I havent watched the game so i cant really say any more....
Few photos
I agree. I'm concerned on the Splitter end though. If I'm him, I look at the Spurs depth chart and see 4 guys ahead of me at the 4/5 position (I definitely see the Spurs bringing back Bonner). Unlike in summers past, there is no obvious vacancy where Splitter would have "guaranteed" minutes. This may be the sole negative about landing Blair in the 2nd.
But I still have my fingers crossed...
The way I see it, this year Bonner will have his role reduced from starter to bench big for good. McDyess will take over the starting spot next to Tim, which is how next year will begin, until Splitter shows that he is capable of starting. Dice came off the bench at times in Detroit; if it helps the team, he will put his ego away, and that's part of why the Spurs got him.
I don't foresee Pop starting the Beast over Splitter, but we could very well see them start together on the 2nd night of B2Bs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY9ZpAlVJNg
I think this guy will do just fine with TP...
If I'm Splitter, I look at the depth chart and see one guy ahead of me at the 4/5 position, maybe two but not for long.
I agree. If Splitter comes over next year, the rotation will most likely be: Duncan, 'Dyess, Blair, Splitter, Bonner, and a vet. min. or draft pick. -- Duncan and Splitter would be the only two legitimate 4/5's --
I don't see the Spurs starting Duncan and 'Dyess together from start-to-finish next season, so I could see 'Dyess going back to the bench role he became accustomed to in Detroit and either Blair or Splitter starting; once Splitter's acclimated.
Bonner then becomes a really nice option off the bench that compliments the inside play of Duncan, Splitter, and Blair quite well.
If Splitter doesn't believe he can get meaningful minutes on a team that only has one player legitimately 6-10 or taller, he's not worth the majority of the MLE that we expect him to command.
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