Real Madrid has two sports (soccer and basketball).
The club that has a lot of sports is FC Barcelona (soccer, basketball, hockey, handball, indoor football, athletics...)
Splitter is a better defender than McDyess, I'd say much better because he can guard the pick & roll plus the post. He doesn't block that many shots in europe but he'd be better at it than McDyess or Bonner, just ask Amare from Americas tourny in Vegas.
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It's been brought up on here, and posted about by me for awhile on this site, that the work-stoppage should be enough to make people pessimistic on Splitter. Talk all you want about how much next year's MLE would be vs a top 5-10 Euroleague, deal, even a full MLE can't compete if it's missing half or even an entire season due to a lockout.
Why is this guy going to miss out on money, when he's proven he won't the one time he faced the decision? But go ahead and blame a family medical situation if you want and not the many millions of dollars.
Splitter could just as easily finish his last 2 years with Tau or sign a 4 year with someone else with an NBA out after 2 years, while this summer announcing his goal to live his NBA dream in 2 years when the labor situation has been settled.
And by then the contracts under the new deal could be so restricted he might just stay in europe for the money anyway.
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Real Madrid has two sports (soccer and basketball).
The club that has a lot of sports is FC Barcelona (soccer, basketball, hockey, handball, indoor football, athletics...)
I could go back and forth with you arguing whether Splitter is big enough or quick enough or has the type of game (O & D) to translate to the NBA...but I won't.
How about this...I'll admit that I really know nothing of Splitter beyond what I've read if you'll do exactly the same thing.
The truth is, nobody REALLY knows what the Spurs will get out of Splitter until he comes across the pond and puts on a black and white uni.
But for $4M/yr, I'd take the promise of a young Center to put up the kind of production projected by Hollinger. If you disagree with me, that's fine.
The spurs would have been much better served by getting a young, athletic shot blocker (like Tyrus Thomas) as Duncan enters his twilight years. In my opinion they need that more than a 7 foot stiff that can't block shots.
Duncan's mobility and therefore his rim protection is really getting worse but thankfully he'll always have those long arms to contest shots close to him. That is another reason that Thomas would have been the perfect fit, he is young and very mobile.
One other thing: if the Spurs have any shot at Splitter signing here, they can't pull their typical arrogant "We're the Spurs, that's enough!" act. Here's my plea to them:
In 2008 while Splitter was being wined & dined and pleaded with to stay in Spain, RC and Pop did jack . The Spurs season was over, they should have been on a plane right after the last exit meeting was over and been in Spain kissing Splitter's ass. Instead, the only word from reports at the time was some low-level Spurs associate was there, it could have even been an intern.
You have your center of the future who you're expecting to just throw away millions of dollars and you don't go see him in person? What the ? Portland went all out when they visited Fernandez in Spain, and they got him to sign for the rookie scale!
And the Spurs refused to guarantee Splitter a damn thing playing-wise if I recall the reports correctly. Which is fine in theory. But you have to sell him on coming here. Don't be arrogant wordsmiths and tell him, "We're not promising you any role or any minutes! We don't guarantee Tim Duncan anything, so we sure as aren't promising you anything!"
If you want him to stay overseas, do that. If not, promise him the damn world, say whatever it takes to get him to sign. Tell him he's the starter. Tell him he's the go-to guy. Tell him his number will get retired. Tell him the franchise will be renamed when Duncan retires as the San Antonio Splitters. Tell him whatever the he wants to hear as long as you get him signed.
And don't antagonize him with the pretense that you're helping him. If he wins Euroleague MVP, don't send a 'congratulations' email that consists of "Hey Tiago . . . work on your rebounding for once. KayThanxBai. - RC".
Swallow your pride and your egos, go and beg on your knees, lie and deceive.
Hopefully that will be enough.
Actually, Splitter never really entered the draft on his own. For 3 years or so he said he would enter, and then pulled out at the last minute. By the season he was drafted, he was old enough that he was automatically eligible to be drafted, and thus could not pull out again. I think anyone expecting to ever see him in the NBA is insane.
true.
basically anyone in the world who turns 22 can be drafted. Even if they've never played basketball.
the Spurs drafted a guy on Presti's say-so that the Spurs hadn't scouted in person, or on tape, or even knew anything about. The Spurs didn't even know what Karaulov looked like, never even saw a photo and still drafted him.
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/gam...statistic.html
So this is the game that everybody is raving about? Where he supposedly dominated Amare Stoudemire defensively? I'm not sure, but people keep bringing this up as "proof" of Splitter's defense.
Okay, I said I wouldn't get into this with you, but then you brought up Tyrus Thomas.
Thomas is 6'8, 220lbs. I don't care how good he is at blocking shots...are you really advocating ANOTHER undersized PF for the Spurs?
The scouting reports on Splitter indicate that his mobility is a strength. Add to that his age (24), height (7'), length (7'2) and weight (245lb)....I just don't see how you're advocating for one over the other if your paying them similar money.
Splitter is a true F/C prospect whereas Thomas is a PF in a SF body.
Have you watched that game? I still have it on tape and I will rave about it.
Splitter owned that game, he was the only reason Brazil was even in it. Once his coach took him out, the team got straight up destroyed. Defense and offense, because Splitter was the only unselfish guy in their offense.
He wasn't even credited for his last block, it was a bogus foul that happened during a fastbreak Amare dunk that Splitter rejected the out of. Not a come on the weakside and block some point guard's layup, it was a straight up, man-sized come get your stuff right in Amare's face as he was going to destroy the rim on a classic Amare dunk.
Some of you guys need to wake the up. Splitter not coming does not equal us sucking next year. It would definitely be a set back but have some mother ing hope.
splitter is the defensive anchor to whatever team he was on. there was never any indication that he was bad on defense or even a lazy defender. he has the size and mobility to effectively defend the 4/5. even if his offense never develops further than it is now, he'll be a young defensive center the spurs need.
Thomas is a versatile defender, but is a true PF as evidenced by his decent rebounding clip. He is easily 6'9" from the comparisons I've seen (he's an inch shorter than Dwight Howard for instance). What he gives up in weight he makes up for in strength.
The shotblocking factor + the mobility should have been the priority for the F.O. in bringing in a big man to play alongside Duncan. McDyess was supposed to be that guy, and perhaps 3 years ago would have been. Thomas with his youth, athleticism, and standing reach of 9 feet would fit the role perfectly however.
What it all boils down to really is with Splitter (and assuming I agree with all your assessments of him, uproven as they are) the spurs get a bigger body weight wise to throw around in the paint and with Thomas they get athleticism, shot blocking and a versatile defender who may not have the weight to bang with the 260+ pounders.
So you believe Splitter would compliment Duncan more, and I think Thomas would. Fair enough.
13pts/9reb/1block (but he wasn't credited for all of em). Brazil loses by 37, just curious when was Brazil ever in this game? After the 1st quarter,
2nd, 3rd? Looks like USA was up big from the beginning and never let up.
Your drinking some serious Splitter kool-aid, friend.
Dude, I'm the one who is saying I don't expect Splitter to be a Spur. How is that kool-aid?
Hey, you're posting that they lose by 37 . . . after I said they were destroyed. And you ignore my posts about his game.
How about this:
You and I watch the game in the next 36 hours, and we can start a new thread and share our notes of the game and the breakdown of how Splitter played against the US Dreamteam with regards to all aspects of basketball, whether it be shooting, passing, 1-on-1 defense, help defense, PnR, rebounding, shotblocking, hustle, tranistion play, shot contesting, the works.
Sound fair?
I think so because it would actually involve basing opinions on observable actions.
I'm ready when you are.![]()
The new CBA and a possible lockout could very well be a factor in Splitter's decision, but it may not be a negative one. The opposite may be true.
Let's assume Splitter is all about the money. His earning potential right now is limited in the NBA because he can only negotiate with one team and that team is limited to the MLE as the best possible offer. In Europe, he is limited to a handful of very rich teams able to pay his buyout and his salary.
If he re-ups in Europe, he probably never makes much more than the deal he gets with Madrid or PAO this summer. As you suggest, the threat of going to the NBA may not even be able to provide any leverage three or four years down the road.
Now if he signs for MLE this summer with a player option after the third year, he may lose some money in the second year due to a lockout (that assumes that the MLE does provide a much larger annual salary than he could get in Europe), but after three years he will be 28 years and an international free agent.
At that point he could sell himself to the highest bidder in the NBA or Europe without the restraints of draft rights or buyouts.
So signing an NBA contract this summer comes with some short term financial risk, but it is the best route to the largest possible contract.
Now as to your post on the San Antonio negotiating position this summer, I totally agree. They need to go over at the earliest possible date and put a full MLE offer, with a player option after three years, on the table. This is the last, best chance to add him to the team.
Just for fun ...Splitter and Pop may be an interesting thing to watch if this were true...
http://astrology.yahoo.com/astrology...ign2=capricorn
Aquarius & Capricorn Coworker Compatibility
When Capricorn (Splitter) and Aquarius (Pop) come together, it is an alliance of two people who bring out the best in each other. Capricorn has a cautious, sensible approach to life. Aquarius has an unquenchable, visionary approach to just about everything! They may appear to be absolute opposites, but once these two set their sights on a common goal, they are an unswervable force.
Both Capricorn and Aquarius can be stubborn and opinionated. Capricorn appreciates organization and is always looking for results. Aquarius is modern and finds routine smothering and uninteresting. Capricorn will find Aquarius exciting, yet may feel frustrated trying to find a logical sequence in their desultory, mystical mind. Aquarius will not appreciate the domineering nature of their partner, but will find the solid base that Capricorn provides to be a great support and will be relieved that someone will take care of their shared business matters.
Capricorn and Aquarius are ruled by Saturn, and Aquarius is also ruled by Uranus. Saturn is a cool, traditional energy. This planet is very goal-oriented and devoted to progressive thinking. Capricorn and Aquarius merge their strengths to Aquarian revolutions or Capricornian social status. Uranus is about all things different and unusual. Capricorn will show Aquarius that life is based on organization, rationality and comfort. Aquarius can teach Capricorn to be more dreamy and stand up for what they believe.
Capricorn is an Earth Sign and Aquarius is an Air Sign. Aquarius moves through life through pure and independent exploration, while Capricorn looks for an end result. At times these partners may find it difficult to understand the other's perspective. Conflicts can arise in this partnership if Capricorn seems too narrowly focused or Aquarius seems too caught up in their own world and ambitions. Both need to learn that they navigate paths in different ways and have many things to share with one another.
Capricorn is a Cardinal Sign and Aquarius is a Fixed Sign. Both can be implacable, opinionated and unyielding. Both partners tend to pursue things persistently. If they have a plan, they'll stick to it until their work is finished. Capricorn prefers to generate the ideas and to dole out the assignments. Aquarius is pleased to work with Capricorn on their projects if they are given a substantial role. Conflicts may occur due to the pigheadedness of both Signs. However, if they understand they're working together for a common goal, it's much easier for them to achieve noticeable results.
The best aspect of the Capricorn-Aquarius relationship is that when they decide to come together, they are an unbeatable team. This alliance will be informative, enlightening and a pleasure to both participants. Their output will be a valid asset to themselves and their community.
this is no surprise.... of course this was going to happen. it all depends if he wants to fulfill his dream of being an nba player.
Jastal, have a good look at that Boxscore. Consider there were 5 big men, of whom 4 have recieved significant consideration as NBA All-Stars. There was also Splitter.
He had the best FG%, Rebs, Pts. He fouled less, and had as many blocked shots as Dwight Howard and Amare. Yes, he had 2 turnovers in 26 minutes. He scored 1 less point than Howard and Stoudemire combined, and collect more rebounds... It's one game, yeah, but it was an impressive gameCode:Name Min FG % Rebs PF To BS Pts T. SPLITTER 26 60 9 2 2 1 13 N. HILARIO 25 37.5 5 2 1 0 8 D. HOWARD 19 50 2 4 1 1 3 A. STOUDEMIRE 22 50 5 3 1 1 11 T. CHANDLER 10 0 5 2 0 2 0
There's always plan B: resign Bonner for another 3 years.
He might cost less too...
You're going to say he plays no D when you think he plays like McDyess based on stats? lmao
I'm sure you're joking, but Bonner signing would be independent of any action to sign Splitter because of the bird rights.
If Splitter decides to stay in Europe, my guess is Spurs explore a trade or sign Camby to a two-year deal with the second year only partially guaranteed.
If Splitter doesn't come over it's going to make the Spurs look like fools for holding onto his draft rights for so long(when they could have used it in a potential trade).
Save for the brief euphoria that commenced after Jefferson, Blair and McDyess were acquired last off season, this has been team doom and gloom the past two years. Strictly in terms of on court, when's the last time there was positive news surrounding this team? Game seven against the Hornets in '08?
Yeah, this isn't that surprising that one of the three best (if not the best) centers in Europe is going to be heavily pursued by one of the wealthiest clubs in Europe, but it's also not good news.
The Spurs can't afford to not bring over Splitter this summer. Unless Real Madrid pays him something astronomical like $10 million a year, which the Spurs simply can't compete with, there is no excuse. If it takes the full $5.8 million a year mid-level exception, then they need to go to that length. Is it an overpayment? At this writing, yes. But if his translated stats are what he produces, then he'll be worth that and probably even more in short order. Outside of the money, if it takes guaranteeing him 25 mpg and the chance to start immediately, then they need to do that as well.
Here's the other thing: everyone talks about "it comes down to whether he wants to play in the NBA" or "this is his dream", but in reality, almost all international draft picks spew the same line(s), but at the end of the day they're comfortable with the lifestyle in Europe, all of their family and friends are over there and they're go-to players on their respective teams. Probably the only thing that get's the majority of them to come over is being offered significantly more money (and a relatively significant role). If it's even close between Real Madrid and the Spurs, my gut is he's going to Real Madrid.
Camby??? How old is he again? And how many games he has missed the last few seasons?
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