What's the deal with Tiago Splitter?

[ElNono]

why does this post remind me that much about so many insightful "why Scola will be a bust in the NBA" announcements from some years ago??
the best part was always the "he is a bad rebounder" analysis from guys who just looked at European stat sheets with no clue how to interpret Euro BB numbers.

I always said the Spurs made a mistake with Scola. Now, if you think Splitter is anything like Luis then you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Luis is a complete player than is very smart, and stood out even when playing alongside other very intelligent players like Oberto. Tiago has a bigger body, but as far as basketball smarts, he is nothing like him

[ElNono]

...Tiago is considered one of the top centers in europe and blair is an undersized PF who will be coming off the bench next year when tiago does come over. Tiago just turned 25 a couple of days ago so he's not exactly old and he is a legit 7 footer who can play at both ends. I do agree that blair will become a better player once he establishes a mid-range J, but what exactly do you expect from Blair when he reaches his ceiling in the NBA?

I expect at least a double double from Blair once he gets past the rookie wall. Considering he has great hands and a knack for he ball, I think it's reasonable to expect that.

And you should take the whole 'considered the top in Europe' thing a little more lightly. Prigioni is considered a top PG in europe, so YMMV indeed.

[Agloco]

This guy isn't all that really, if he ends up getting to the NBA I think a lot of Spurs fans will be dissapointed with him.

If he turns out to be Rasho 2.0 with a few more lights, bells, and whistles that should be all right for the time being.

[yavozerb]

I expect at least a double double from Blair once he gets past the rookie wall. Considering he has great hands and a knack for he ball, I think it's reasonable to expect that.

And you should take the whole 'considered the top in Europe' thing a little more lightly. Prigioni is considered a top PG in europe, so YMMV indeed.

I would rather splitter be labeled one of the top centers than not be mentioned at all among the best in europe. I really do not see blair reaching double/double status until his minutes jump up to 30+ minutes a night, which is not going to happen for a while since his knack for fouling is so great.

[dbestpro]

Tiago will take a year to acclimate and 2 years to get really into the mix. Once in the mix his mobility will create several mismathes as most bigs are pretty immobile. I still believe that he will thrill Spurs once he is on the court as much as Blair has. Many Spur fans choose to dismiss Tiago simply because he is not here. It's kinda like dissing the pretty girl in school cause you think you don't have a chance. Once she hooks up with you though you'll swear you were in here corner all along.

[DAF86]

I expect at least a double double from Blair once he gets past the rookie wall. Considering he has great hands and a knack for he ball, I think it's reasonable to expect that.

And you should take the whole 'considered the top in Europe' thing a little more lightly. Prigioni is considered a top PG in europe, so YMMV indeed.

Prigioni could easily be a starting PG in the NBA (in fact he may be one already if he hadn't turn down the Knicks)

[DAF86]

If he turns out to be Rasho 2.0 with a few more lights, bells, and whistles that should be all right for the time being.

I think that's the best that could be expected from him. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he will be a bust, in fact he could be a decent role player in the NBA but nothing more than that. The expectations surrounding this guy by some Spurs fans makes it seem like they're expecting an all-star kind of player and I really don't think he has the game to become one.

[mogrovejo]

I don't need a description. I've seen him play enough both in his team and the NT next to Nene. He's a pretty proficient scorer in the low post when there's little to no physical play, but below average defender and rebounder for his size. His basketball IQ is also fairly average. His numbers averages are around 14 points and 6 rebounds. I expect those numbers to take a hit while he adapts to the NBA game. Again, I think Blair is a player to get excited about, because of his young age and unknown ceiling. Tiago, on the other hand, is not going to get much better than he is and he is just not that good to begin with.

Splitter a below average defender? He's very probably the best defensive big man in Europe and will easily be an above average defender in the NBA - defence is Splitter's biggest strength. And a proficent scorer in the low post when there's little to no physical play? Even if that was true, there wouldn't be a problem, there's basically no physical play in the NBA relatively to the European game.

Why do you expect his numbers to fall? Have you also expected it for Manu, Scola, Marc Gasol, Ilyasova, Casspi, etc? Those numbers are excellent for a big in Europe, what kind of numbers do you think Scola was having?

[Jardo]

Splitter a below average defender? He's very probably the best defensive big man in Europe and will easily be an above average defender in the NBA - defence is Splitter's biggest strength. And a proficent scorer in the low post when there's little to no physical play? Even if that was true, there wouldn't be a problem, there's basically no physical play in the NBA relatively to the European game.

Why do you expect his numbers to fall? Have you also expected it for Manu, Scola, Marc Gasol, Ilyasova, Casspi, etc? Those numbers are excellent for a big in Europe, what kind of numbers do you think Scola was having?

I agree. The numbers of Splitter at ACB and Euroleague are excellent.

I saw him dominate Al Horford (was a clinic in fact) at FIBA Americas. I dont think that he will be a force at the defensive end, but he can play against NBA centers, and do it well.

[BackHome]

Blair is never going to play big minutes because of his knees...

Splitter is a mobile seven footer that has played in a high level club for several years and done very well. So if he decides to come over then it will be as our starting center and that would be a huge improvment for our team.

[Man In Black]

Brandon Jennings didn't do in Europe but his skills are fine in the NBA. David Andersen in Houston isn't that far off from his days in Euroleague. If Tiago plays hard, he can be very useful in San Antonio.

[Penya]

Prigioni could easily be a starting PG in the NBA

Right now, he'd be a decent backup PG, no more.
Three years ago he was awesome, but he's getting older...

PS: Marc Gasol isn't much better than Splitter.

[spursnatic]

Tiago Splitter...I hate jerk offs that diss our team to go play overseas

[Calavera]

Splitter must come immediately!

[wildbill2u]

Don't think of Splitter as simply a part of the puzzle while Tim is here. Imagine Tim retires and we don't have Splitter (who by then will know the system). Think of the future.

Unless you are willing to go through the despair of being out of the playoffs for a few years so you can draft higher, Splitter may be the best option for the Spurs to have as a big man at center for a long long time.


After all, How many teams have a legitimate 7 footer? How easy will it be to draft and trade for one (unless you're LA)?

How would he stack up against most of the current 7 footers in the NBA, assuming his Euro pedigree of being the best center in Europe is legitimate?

Even if he isn't the second coming of Kareem, think about his compe ion in the NBA. You still have guys like Rasho playing and contributing in this league. Rasho was never called the best center in Europe before he was brought over to the NBA.

I think his true value may become evident when Tim retires and the team won't have to do a complete makeover. One less worry. The guy will only be 28 and should have some good productive years left.

[dbestpro]

Tiago Splitter...I hate jerk offs that diss our team to go play overseas

He mainly stayed overseas to be near his dying sister and to have the monies needed to care for her.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Don't think of Splitter as simply a part of the puzzle while Tim is here. Imagine Tim retires and we don't have Splitter (who by then will know the system). Think of the future.

Unless you are willing to go through the despair of being out of the playoffs for a few years so you can draft higher, Splitter may be the best option for the Spurs to have as a big man at center for a long long time.


After all, How many teams have a legitimate 7 footer? How easy will it be to draft and trade for one (unless you're LA)?

How would he stack up against most of the current 7 footers in the NBA, assuming his Euro pedigree of being the best center in Europe is legitimate?

Even if he isn't the second coming of Kareem, think about his compe ion in the NBA. You still have guys like Rasho playing and contributing in this league. Rasho was never called the best center in Europe before he was brought over to the NBA.

I think his true value may become evident when Tim retires and the team won't have to do a complete makeover. One less worry. The guy will only be 28 and should have some good productive years left.

No one with any Euroleague knowledge would call him best center in Europe. He is a good player for sure. There is no doubt about that. But he is not even close to best center in Europe.

Bourousis
Schortsanitis
Mozgov
Maric
Pekovic

Any of them is actually a much better center than Splitter is. For example I am not sure he could even make the Spanish or Greek national team.

Vazquez
Mavroeidis

I am not sure if he is even better than those centers, as well as some others. Remember I spent much time tryint to tell you how incredibly overrated Haislip was and no one believed me. I said he was like the 20th at best PF in Euroleague and no one believed me. They instead believed fake posters like Mountainballer who lie every time they post.

If Spurs really wanted a center from Europe they would get Mozgov, Bourousis, Maric, Pekovic someone like that well before Splitter.

[Capt Bringdown]

Players are either ready for the NBA or they're not. What's our success rate with all these pick 'n stash, development league projects, etc? It seems like a complete waste of time.

[senorglory]

blair is making a name for himself
hopefully splitter will think he can earn playing time even with blair here

scola did not think he could with the other bigs here

I thought it was Spurs front office that believed they couldn't fit all the big men in/ afford all the big men, and decided to go with the known commodity of Oberto over Scola.

[kobyz]

i think Tiago Splitter game better suit for the NBA than Euro

[ezau]

Splitter will be the next big man when TD starts declining for real. There's no way in that he'll be as good as TD, but I think he'll be solid center for years to come.

[jag]

Players are either ready for the NBA or they're not. What's our success rate with all these pick 'n stash, development league projects, etc? It seems like a complete waste of time.

This guy turned out alright.

[jimo2305]

guys.. just close the door on splitter already..

i have.. life's been much more pleasant..

[Jason R]

This guy turned out alright.

That guy was 'alright' way before we picked him.

[jag]

That guy was 'alright' way before we picked him.

Being rated the #1 big man in Europe is pretty 'alright' as well. I don't see a reason to give up on a guy that hasnt been given a chance yet.