Splitter was huge today

[Chieflion]

, with all the video on this site have you still not seen any of it. Tiago is very physical and is quick enough to take most bigs off the dribble. Do you really believe the referees are gonna play a roll if he comes or not?

You know what is the best part? In Europe, the games appear to be more physical. I watched game 2 of the ACB finals, and most of the time, I will think t myself, "That is a foul in the NBA." I believe Splitter can easily adapt to the "toughness" in the NBA.

[lotr1trekkie]

The Spurs are the ideal landing spot for Splitter. Manu and Tony to lead the way and Tim as the anchor. Tiaggo really doesn't want to go all Gasol and spend 6 years being called "soft" because he can't carry a team. He looks to me like an immediate starter next to Tim. If it's all about the $$$ for him then he should stay in Europe. He ain't Manu and Manu too could have stayed and made more. Manu wanted to prove himself in the best league in the world. Ditto Tony! Both have the hearts of champions. We are not talking about $$$ here but about what kind of heart Spitter has. The Spurs made a horricfic error with Scola who also has a lion's heart. I'd trade Spitter's rights for Scola in a NY minute.

[rjv]

his comments seemed like typical free agent talk to me

[Phenomanul]

I'd say it's the other way around. If he intends on playing in the NBA within the next 2-3 years, then go ahead and get a contract before the lockout and the new CBA. The new CBA is probably going to be more frugal and so the money won't be as nice as it is now.

What about the part where he might end up not playing for a year...? Is it guaranteed money or are contracts/salaries frozen during a lockout?

[ChumpDumper]

I'd say its fairly certain that Splitter will stay in Europe. Looking at it from his point of view, he's got it good over there. Real good. It's a different game over there, more finesse which fits his style of play to a tee. He is one of the top dogs over there, if he comes to the nba, he may not be able to hack the more physical style of the nba and the different type of referees. He's probably seen how fickle Popovich is with new players and there is probably some uneasiness/uncertainty there as well. He's probably thinking... "what if I get stuck mostly watching from the spurs' bench for
3+ years and being miserable?"

He is a already proven commodity in the European league. He's carved out a niche and he'll get a big fat contract over there, and the opportunity to put together an impressive career there.

Seriously, he's had, what..., 3+ years to think about coming to the nba? And he's still hemming and hawing away... might as well just chalk it up as a wasted 1st round pick and be done with it.

Yeah, it was the same thing with Manu Ginobili.

Think of what would have happened if that guy had come over.

And we could have had Tyrus Thomas!

[EricB]

Yeah just had to trade roger mason and a sub sandwich. But the stupid spurs wouldn't do it.....

[Truckules]

What about the part where he might end up not playing for a year...? Is it guaranteed money or are contracts/salaries frozen during a lockout?

He would lose money during the lockout, but he would probably have a much better contract than if he waited until after the lockout and the new CBA. The loss of salary from a lockout could be less than what he would lose from having a new CBA. However, this situation depends on how long the lockout occurs and how restrictive the new CBA is.

[Penya]

http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=68195


Caja Laboral's president (and GM) Josean Querejeta has assumed as "something normal" the likely exit of Tiago Splitter to the San Antonio Spurs next season.

Querejeta has explained during the ceremony of the watches (an imitation of the ring's ceremony that the ACB invented a couple of years ago) that the progression of Splitter as a player has to be completed "compiting in the best league of the world", and that's the "intention and wish" of the Brazilian player.

The president is conscient of the wishes of the player to play in the States, although that step is not confirmed yet.




By the way... Would you like to see Pete Mickeal in a Spur jersey next season? I think he would fit perfectly, he has great at ude, plays D, BB IQ...

[temujin]

At the end of the day, Splitter is just a "euro with no post game whatsoever".

End of citation.

Yes, trade Splitter's rights for Tyrus Thomas:straight up!
lol,

[duncan228]

Tiago Splitter wins Spanish le, now considering coming to the Spurs
By Kurt Helin

Tiago Splitter could be the Spurs savior.

San Antonio wants to make one more run with Tim Duncan at the heart of the lineup, but these playoffs showed that even with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili the team isn't there.

Splitter could change that.

He is the best center in Europe, skilled and physical. He just helped lead Saski Baskonia to the Spanish League le this week. While his contract has two more years he can opt out right now, and a quote on noticiasdealava.com shows he is debating if his future is in Spain or San Antonio.

"We still do not know what I do. If it was my last game is the best way to say goodbye, but right now I do not know what to do. I have to think and see what is best for me and my family. I have yet two-year contract and an option to leave, but I do not know what will happen."

Splitter -- who is generally considered able to walk in tomorrow and be a quality NBA starter -- would give the Spurs the big man they need to pair with Duncan along the front line. He'd be another weapon. Suddenly the Spurs would be better, deeper and younger.

With him and another move or two, the Spurs could be contenders again. Without him... well, it's not easy to climb Everest without a Sherpa.

[L.I.T]

I may be putting too much importance on Splitter coming over (hi hype), but I kind of think that if Splitter does not come over the Spurs will be much more open to breaking up the Big 3 and moving TP for picks/front court/wings.

[HarlemHeat37]

It's not putting too much importance at all..if Splitter doesn't come over, the Spurs have pretty much no chance at competing for the West le, no chance at all..even with him, the odds are low, but without him, they are non-existent..

[SenorSpur]

It's not like he hasn't spurned the Spurs before. Therefore, it wouldn't surprise me if he does it again.

Wake me up when there is official news on him. The delayed suspense is giving me tired-head.

[024]

kind of sad but a lot of the spurs' future lies with splitter's decision. the bigman spot next to duncan has never been permanently filled. just a bunch of journeyman bigs/washed up vets. i'm actually getting tired of always hearing about the hole in the center and i'm sure the spurs can never match up with the lakers unless they find a big presence on both ends. if the spurs can't lure splitter over, they will have a hard time finding an adequate center that isn't over the hill.

[Kafka]

I'm from Vitoria and a Caja Laboral fan. Tiago Splitter is going to play with the Spurs next season. C'est fini.

[boutons_deux]

"the president of Splitter's Spanish League club said he expects the 6-foot-11 Brazilian to make the jump to America next season."

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...h-boss-sp.html

[Ginobili2Duncan]

Splitter making move to Spurs?

12:17PM ET
San Antonio Spurs

Top Email


When the Spurs' season came to an abrupt end as the Suns' swept them out of the playoffs, ESPN's Marc Stein wrote that the team was optimistic that Tiago Splitter, the MVP of the Spanish league this season and the team's 2007 first-round draft pick, would decided to come stateside and join the Spurs.
And according to Jeff MacDonald of the San Antonio News-Express, there's one indication this could happen.
"During a ceremony this week celebrating Caja Laboral's Splitter-led Spanish League championship, team president Josean Quereta said he understands it is Splitter's 'intent and desire' to join the NBA next season," he writes.
MacDonald also adds that Quereta said Splitter "wants to compete in the best league in the world."
Splitter has an out clause in his contract with Caja Laboral this summer, so it could follow that this is the offseason he joins the Spurs.
Splitter has been non-committal about his future, so it remains to be seen for sure if he's coming to the Spurs or not.
There have been rumblings the Spurs are looking to move up in the draft to snag a big man, but if they're unable to do so, Splitter could help out in the frontcourt next season if he decides to come to the NBA.


ESPN's Fran Fraschilla

Splitter has ability to make instant impact

"When the San Antonio Spurs drafted 6-foot-10 Brazilian Tiago Splitter with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2007 draft, they knew that he was in the middle of a long-term deal with a prohibitively expensive buyout with his Spanish team, Tau Ceramica. Splitter subsequently signed another deal with the team in 2008 for far more money than he would have made with the Spurs, because of the rookie salary scale. It is possible that Splitter will be clear of his Spanish team's contract and will be in a Spurs uniform as early as next season. By that time, he will be a seasoned 26-year-old player who should make an instant impact in the NBA. This will be a case of the Spurs' patience paying off."

[cantthinkofanything]

http://www.sportando.net/eng/europe/...cided_yet.html


Tiago Splitter, nothing is decided yet


The Brazilian leaves the door opens to all the destinations

Tiago Splitter, two days after the victory in ACB with Caja Laboral, did not say anything on his future, leaving the doors open for Caja Laboral.

"Winning the ACB could be the best ways to leave and make my NBA dream come true" said the Brazilian, who has two years left on his contract with the Basque team.

Splitter has to give a final answer to Caja Laboral before the 15th of July. If he decides for NBA, he will play for San Antonio Spurs.

"I have now time to decide among the possible destinations and nothing is close with Spurs so far" added Splitter, named MVP of ACB Final.

[Russ]

You know what is the best part? In Europe, the games appear to be more physical. I watched game 2 of the ACB finals, and most of the time, I will think t myself, "That is a foul in the NBA." I believe Splitter can easily adapt to the "toughness" in the NBA.

To adjust college player stats to the NBA, you must reduce the college stats by some factor.

To adjust Euro stats to the NBA, you actually increase them (partly because the games are shorter, the benches are longer, the team concept is greater, and even star players get fewer minutes).

In other words, Splitter could easily increase his points and rebounding stats in the NBA.

[Chieflion]

To adjust college player stats to the NBA, you must reduce the college stats by some factor.

To adjust Euro stats to the NBA, you actually increase them (partly because the games are shorter, the benches are longer, the team concept is greater, and even star players get fewer minutes).

In other words, Splitter could easily increase his points and rebounding stats in the NBA.

Why would you decrease college stats? True stars would actually increase their production. For the most part, sure it decreases, but if the player is a star in the making, his stats actually increases because he gets more playing time. College games are also 40 minutes, like Euro games. I am not saying that minutes doesn't matter. I am saying that the player's role on a team is more important. Splitter wouldn't score as much on the Spurs than on Caja because his role as a star on Caja would be reduced to the 2nd big in the rotation, which is a starter, but still not a top 3 offensive option.

[ChuckD]

To adjust college player stats to the NBA, you must reduce the college stats by some factor.

To adjust Euro stats to the NBA, you actually increase them (partly because the games are shorter, the benches are longer, the team concept is greater, and even star players get fewer minutes).

In other words, Splitter could easily increase his points and rebounding stats in the NBA.

I know they say that Euros rebound better when they get to the NBA, because they shoot so much better that there are fewer available rebounds to be had.

[Harry Callahan]

There is left nothing to accomplish as a player by staying in the Spanish league. It is time to play in the big leagues.

Splitter has made a bunch of money already since he has been playing professionally for ten years. He will be in a position now to make a lot of money in the quickly NBA without the rookie scale holding him back.

[jiggy_55]

I would hope that Splitter gets some inspiration from Pau Gasol's success and decides to join the Spurs.. I hope he was watching Game 7 to see what a dogfight it was and how it really feels to win a championship.. An NBA championship should be one of the ultimate goals and dream for any great basketball player

[objective]

according to Hollinger, he predicts/anticipates adjusted euroleague-to-NBA stats this way:

• Scoring rate decreases 25 percent
• Rebound rate increases by 18 percent (there are more missed shots in NBA play)
• Assist rate increases by 31 percent (Euro scorers are tightwads with assists)
• Shooting percentage drops by 12 percent
• Overall, PER drops by 30 percent.

[duncan228]

San Antonio Spurs Importing The Next David Robinson
By Sean Sweeney
Dime

Manu Ginobili’s bald spot might signal it’s over for the old guys. But, the San Antonio Spurs are trying to gear up again for one final push with their current roster. Every year, the “Spurs aren’t dead” headlines appear. Last summer, the signings of Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess were supposed to put them over the hump. They didn’t.

Now, the San Antonio News-Express is reporting that Spurs’ 2007 first-round pick, Tiago Splitter really wants to and is planning on coming to the States for next season:

During a ceremony this week celebrating Caja Laboral’s Splitter-led Spanish League championship, team president Josean Quereta said he understands it is Splitter’s “intent and desire” to join the NBA next season.

Splitter, the Spurs’ 2007 first-round draft pick and the MVP of the Spanish League this season, “wants to compete in the best league in the world,” Quereta said.

This summer will be a pivotal one for the 25-year-old Splitter in pursuit of that goal. He has an out clause in his contract with Caja Laboral that would allow him to move to the NBA this offseason. Otherwise, it will be two more seasons before he could easily free himself from his Spanish League deal.

After the Spanish League championship game, Splitter acknowledged his days in Spain could be over, but indicated his future plans remain undecided.

“If it was my last game (it) is the best way to say goodbye,” he told Spanish media. “But right now I do not know what to do.”

He was rumored to be coming to the NBA as early as 2005, and has the longest running profile in DraftExpress.com’s history, so San Antonio knows what they are getting from the 7-footer: an active, shot-blocking presence on one end and a solid inside finisher on the other.

San Antonio has long had a desire to team Tim Duncan with an athletic partner. Ever since David Robinson retired, they’ve been unable to do it, going through guys like Rasho Nesterovic, Nazr Mohammed, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas. Not quite The Admiral.

But the Spurs makeover won’t stop there. The rumors about San Antonio attempting to move up in the Draft are alive and squirming. A few weeks ago, we discussed the rumor of Tony Parker being dangled for Indiana’s No. 10 pick, Troy Murphy and Brandon Rush. It’s highly doubtful Indiana accepts this, despite their point guard problems, but what if R.C. Buford throws in the rights to Splitter, knowing he is on his way to the NBA next year, along with San Antonio’s No. 20 pick? The Spurs are fond of North Carolina’s Ed Davis. Despite recent reports saying the power forward won’t fall past Utah at No. 9, a frontline of Davis, Duncan and Murphy would be a major upgrade.

Players like Ekpe Udoh, Cole Aldrich and Patrick Patterson are also in the mix to be chosen during the late-Lottery.

Murphy also holds an expiring contract of almost $12 million. The Indianapolis Star reported recently that the Pacers want to unload some of their expiring contracts. They’ve had discussions with at least 20 teams about the No. 10 pick, but are keen on not taking back any contracts that would stunt the rebuilding process. Parker is still due over $25 million for the next two years.

At the wing and backcourt positions, the Spurs are in a good position. George Hill is coming along nicely, Ginobili is playing at a very high level once again and even Jefferson is still capable of scoring 20. Parker is still in the mix for now as well.

But the Spurs see the Western Conference as a bunch of teams all chasing the Lakers. No one can match L.A.’s size and length. So it appears the Spurs are making that their primary focus once again this summer.