If the Spurs can't get Tiago out of Europe, its over for the Spurs. Splitter's level is somewhere between Gasol and Varego, but that would still be a huge improvement since Timmy can't do 37 and 15 anymore. Splitter would provide that buffer to let the BIG 3 do their jobs. We need a skilled BIG who can help Tim. We need a 3 who can play defense since giving up 110 to Phoenix isn't going to make it. We have scoring power but no stopping power. AN ADD TO THE OFFENSE AND AN ADD TO THE DEFENSE!
Would love to see Splitter come on over. He would be an obvious upgrade to our roster at the 5. I don't know a whole lot about him but people are pretty high on him. The Spurs FO seem to be pretty confident that they can lure him over this summer. So here's to hoping!
First of all, this guy needs to come instead of signing with any team in Europe just like the last time.
I agree that he might bring about major improvement at the 5. The key will likely be how to let him play next to Duncan. I am no genius in basketball coaching. I could only recall the transition from Robinson to Duncan. No disrespect to Duncan (he's the main reason I became a Spurs fan), if Tiago comes, the era of Duncan playing in the low post with the other big man staying out of his way might end. I envision Duncan playing more in the high post like Mcdyess, so as to preserve his legs and concentrate on D.
Of course this is not an overnight process. Duncan's low post skills are still there. Tiago needs to prove he belongs to the NBA. As a fan I just keep dreaming on the best for my favorite team.
Agreed. If we cannot get him this summer we are doomed.
Why? They didn't do bad this year without him. Jefferson should be more comfortable next year, Hill may continue to improve, Blair should be better, and if Splitter doesn't come over, that gives the Spurs the full MLE to do some shopping. Plus there's a fair chance that Parker won't be struggling all year with plantar fasciitis. Whether Splitter is the Spurs big offseason move or someone else is, there is a good chance that the Spurs will be better next year than this year.
is splitter 7 feet, we need a 7 footer to play center
Ain't no maybe so about it.
Better yet, a 7 footer who plays like a 7 footer.
I agree. The Spurs need to go back to the twin tower approach, by pairing Splitter with Duncan. If they want McDyess to start until Splitter is acclimated, fine, but ultimately he needs to be become the starter by the stretch drive. Not only would he help Duncan out defensively, but offensively, he'd allow Duncan to play the mid-high post more and not always have to be the lone low post option on the floor. This would help to limit the wear and tear on him. As much as it's about managing minutes, it's about making sure the minutes played aren't too arduous.
He's 6-10.25 without shoes, 6-11.75 in shoes and listed at 7-0.
He's got a quarter inch callous on each foot that puts him at 7 feet.
It's probably better that he isn't listed at 7 feet, maybe Pop will actually play him with Duncan then..
6'10.25" without shoes is about as 7-foot as any other 7-footer in the league. There are very few true 7-footers in the league, maybe only 9 or 10.
?? I haven't heard his name anywhere near Gasol (Pau, I'm assuming) but if that's the case, than
Pop will probably try to avoid playing Splitter with Duncan much at the start. Why? Because it makes too much sense too, but he has this idea that Duncan needs a big next to him who can stretch the floor, at least out to mid-range. Who cares about every other responsibility, if you're under 6-10, most immobile, can't protect the rim, but can bag mid-range (or longer) jumpers, then you're a perfect fit next to a 34-year old with bad knees/quad tendonosis and a ton of mileage.
I'd have to see Splitter around the Duncan's, Gasol's and Nowitzki's of the world first, but my sense is he's slightly smaller than all of them. Even if he is, he's in their vicinity and he has fairly good length, so he won't look noticeably undersized. Assuming he signs and the Spurs draft a true SF (not an SG/SF or an SG masquerading as an SF) and the player actually crack the rotation, it'll be nice to see this team not be severely undersized.
You're right, there aren't many true 7-0ers, but it's funny how if you're big and look imposing, you're automatically 7-0. Van Gundy called Perkins and Garnett 7-0ers the other day, even though Perkins is 6-10 and Garnett is (listed, at least) at 6-11. Dudley rightfully called the Spurs smaller and not what you think of when you think of the Spurs. Then he mentioned in the past they had (among others) guys like Oberto and Thomas. As if they're any bigger than McDyess. They're all around the same size, but the perception is those guys were bigger than they actually were because the Spurs were better defensively then.
Sisk, I assume he/she was talking about Marc, not Pau, when they said Gasol. Splitter projects as an excellent third big - an adequate second big; not a top three big in the world.
and the Great White Hope continues....
Here is my dream Spurs first five:
Spliiter at center
Duncan at power forward
Josh Smith at small forward
Chris Paul at point point
Super Manu at off guard
Wow! Go Spurs go!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do hope we get Splitter and I stil think they should try to bring Javtokas over as well. He's only 30 and seems to have talents.
Probability = 0.01
1) Splitter has a contract to finish : 2 years with TAU Vitoria (now Caja Laboral )
2) Real Madrid is very interesting by Tiago and Madrid can put a lot of money for the indemnity and the Spurs can't pay an indemnity with NBA's regulation.
3) The best friend of Tiago is Pablo Prigioni, a Real's player.
4) Tiago is sure to play a lot of minutes with the Real
5) Ettore Messina is a great coach.
I'm not sure how realistic it is to think that Splitter is going to come in and contribute, muchless flourish on a team where Ian Mahinmi couldn't get a second look after two years of learning the system. Oberto couldn't get minutes on the floor his first year before Pop got mad at Nazr and Rasho, and only then did he get a couple of minutes here and there.
That's actually my biggest fear: that even if Splitter were to come, he'd get the same playing time as say Blair got this year, which is 10-15 minutes here and there, and of course getting yanked every time he'd miss a rotation against teams we shouldn't even care about. Then in the 2nd year Bonner would still be starting and fans going nuts over this. And maybe in the 3rd year, when there's nobody left, would he be allowed to contribute.
You guys are getting way too excited about some roleplayers,i remember the preseason buzz about players like McDyess,Mahimi or even Ratcliff. According to Spurstalk they were going to put the team into another stratosphere than the rest of the league.
I see the same thing happening with Splitter now. If he's that good he will be paying in the NBA sooner or later. If not maybe he's just a semi-stiff playing inferior compe ion in europe.
I tell you it's easier to keep your hopes low so you don't set yourself up for dissapointment.
Being a Mavfan i should know
Take a look at Splitter's footwork (and Mahinmi's).
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