Splitter deal already done?

[ajh18]

I beg to differ. I dont believe the gap between the Lakers is as great as fans think. The addition of Splitter would address the length issue. With a frontcourt of Duncan, Dice, Splitter and Blair the argument could be made that our frontcourt is more talented and definitely deeper than what the Lakers currently have. Obviously Gasol is the best big man on both teams but Im not impressed with Bynum. I think he has reached his ceiling and other than one good year he had several years ago he is going to be a serviceable big man for his career. Odom has his issues and really lacks the low post skills to be considered a true big man.

The 2010-11 edition of the Spurs is a solid eight deep plus two more players that will give the Spurs the distinction of having the best bench in the league and one of the top four teams in the NBA.

I agree that in terms of talent, the gap between us and the Lakers isn't as big as some people seem to think. Yes, Phoenix swept us, but I think people vastly underrate chemistry and matchups on this board and attribute too much to raw talent. I always remember those early 2000s portland teams, that were absolutely LOADED... but never even made it to the finals.

So, for that matter, were the pre-threepeat Lakers. But nothing. Our talent is on par with the Celtics. It's about who we play though, and how well our players are "clicking" when we play them.

[Seventyniner]

...all interesting points...

one thing to remember though;

you never know WHO will be the team standing in the way at the end of the season---

for a couple of years it was dallas---this past season the spurs got past dallas---and then phoenix is suddenly better...

you can plan all you want and put the lakers as the team to beat---but a OKC or a portland team could end up eliminating the lakers----and/or---the spurs...

my point is---spurs have to somehow build a team that is using the nba rules---and upcoming rules and changes---to be the team that capitalizes first and is able to dominate--UNTIL---the nba changes them again...

remember when the spurs defense with the TWIN towers and a prime BOWEN--dominated ---and changed the league?

then the nba changed the rules to allow a lebron or kobe or durant---to NOT get manhandled ---

so what can the spurs do to build a team that can be dominant BEFORE the nba gets involved---and then it WON'T matter as much WHO they have to go through...

+1

This offseason, RC and Pop don't need to catch the Lakers per se, just build the best possible team and let the chips fall where they may. Just look at the Suns; they got rid of Porter and Shaq, and got to the WCF. Embracing (and/or creating!) your iden y is a much better plan than trying to match up with a specific team.

[manufan10]

I don't know how reliable bleacherreport.com is, but they are suggesting that the Spurs will indeed be signing Splitter. This was from yesterday:

Three time Spanishcup MVP, Tiago Splitter, is prepared to make his move to the NBA, according to thehoopmarket.com.
Each summer since the Spurs drafted Splitter in 2007, Spurs' fans have been teased with the idea of Splitter wearing silver and black, only to have their hopes dashed as he would again refuse to leave Spain.
Splitter's contract with Spanish league's Tau Ceramica payed him $3.5 million a season and the Spurs could only pay him roughly around $3.3 million a season. Splitter—not wanting to take a pay cut, buy out his current contract, and then move half way across the world at the age of 22—decided to remain in the Spanish league.
This summer, Splitter can opt out of his Spanish league contract and jump to NBA. Reports say he wants to play with and against the best so it is likely he'll make the move. The Spurs can now pay $5.5 million (and have every intention of doing so) and Splitter wouldn't be forced to dish a buy out to Tau Ceramica.
The rights to Splitter are still owned by the San Antonio Spurs, as they took him with the 28th pick in the 2007 draft. The Spurs knew it would be an issue getting Splitter to come to the NBA but knew he was a player worth waiting for.
It seems this long awaited investment by the Spurs may have payed off. Splitter, who at the time he was drafted was considered a top 10 pick, has done nothing but sharpen his tools in the Spanish league.
Splitter is a 25 year old 6'11" center from Brazil who plays in Spain. To go along with his three MVPs while playing for Tau Ceramica, Splitter and Tau Ceramica went on to win the Spanish league le in 2010. Splitter won one of his Spanishcup MVPs last season; averaging 15 points a game off of 59 percent shooting in 28 minutes of play.
With the Spurs needing an efficient big more than ever this offseason, they may not even worry about the free agent frenzy this summer if they can snag Splitter.
Once again, it seems R.C. Buford and the Spurs management have found another international gem.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4...ke-jump-to-nba

[rayray2k8]

^Thanks for the update.

[manufan10]

+1

This offseason, RC and Pop don't need to catch the Lakers per se, just build the best possible team and let the chips fall where they may. Just look at the Suns; they got rid of Porter and Shaq, and got to the WCF. Embracing (and/or creating!) your iden y is a much better plan than trying to match up with a specific team.

I've never liked the idea that a team needs to build themselves up just to beat one team. I believe if you do that, then you're setting yourself up for failure. If you assemble your team together, using a winning formula, then I think you have a good chance of winning. If you try and throw your team together, and to try and outdo another team, then IMO you don't have a good chance of winning.

[SenorSpur]

Disagree. The FO MUST keep an eye on making changes necessary to combat the NBA Champions. Roster versatility is the key. Having skilled players that enable a coach to play different styles is both a luxury and a good idea. The Spurs are no longer the biggest threat to the Fakers. They have now slipped back to the middle of the pack. We saw this during the playoffs.

That said, the Fakers ARE the Big Dogs on the block and have been for about 3 years. Everyone is chasing them. Pop has been trying to beat them with various stretch 4's and small lineups - and it hasn't worked. Maybe because he's been using inferior players. Perhaps because they've not had sufficient play from all their bigs - not named Duncan.

Boston was able to take them to the limit because they have enough bigs to combat them. Once they lost Perkins to injury, it was game over. The bottom line is if you cannot match up with the Fakers size and length, you're dead.

They need to make changes with an eye on both the top teams in the conference, but particularly the Fakers.

[Mel_13]

They need to make changes with an eye

You left us hangin', senor.

[SenorSpur]

You left us hangin', senor.

I guess that's what you call a thought that trailed off

Thanks Mr. Mel

[manufan10]

Maybe because he's been using inferior players. Perhaps because they've not had sufficient play from all their bigs - not named Duncan.

I think this is what's happening. I think the Spurs had the right idea, but they just didn't have the right pieces. If you can spread the floor, then you unclog the paint. When you play against the Lakers, everyone talks about size. If you are able to spread the bigs out, say using a 3 point shooting 4, then you diminish the size advantage because either Gasol or Bynum would have to cover the 3 point line. Instead of trying to match the Lakers big for big, I think the Spurs had the right idea.

IMO, I think that's why the Celtics played better when Rasheed was out there. He helped spread the floor, and he was able to play defense on either Gasol or Bynum. The Spurs had Matt Bonner, not even close to Sheed.

[manufan10]

You left us hangin', senor.

I guess that's what you call a thought that trailed off

Thanks Mr. Mel

I hate when I do that.

[EricB]

Your forget we have to defend them at the other end, Oh and rebound, and try to score in the paint against them........The shooting 4 only works when you have great slashers or great post up guys who are not stopped by one man.

We have niether.

The Spurs don't have great slashers?


WTF?

Are Parker and Ginobili chopped liver or am I missing something?

[LongtimeSpursFan]

GH3 is a slasher. RJ used to be.

[manufan10]

The Spurs don't have great slashers?


WTF?

Are Parker and Ginobili chopped liver or am I missing something?

If they're not slashers then I don't know what they are.

[rjv]

a solid 3, some more depth at 3 or the reincarnation of one richard jefferson would be a big boost on top of snagging splitter

[rayray2k8]

Really hope 'the savior' comes.

[benefactor]

Pray Spurstalk. Pray.

[spectator]

cant he get around $5 mil still?

[benefactor]

cant he get around $5 mil still?

It now becomes much easier to give him the full MLE with no tax to worry about.

[DPG21920]

cant he get around $5 mil still?

Yes. Spurs still have the same amount to work with.

[SpursTillTheEnd]

we dont need splitter we have richards, lmao naw but hes coming no way he turns it down

[TD 21]

The Spurs couldn't have seriously been stupid enough to not sign Splitter (even if it took the full MLE) even if Jefferson hadn't opted out. Now that he unexpectedly has, the odds of them signing Splitter only increase.

As an aside, if the Spurs end up going bargain basket cheap at SF, then I could see them re-signing Bonner, or at least trying to. He'd have to accept being a fifth big for a season, though I'm sure he'd play more than the typical fifth big (Spurs would probably sit Duncan and McDyess more), but still, he'd be relegated to that status until after next season when McDyess retires.

[benefactor]

[angelbelow]

Hoping for some wonderful news tonight..

[EricB]

@ praying cat

[Agloco]

The Spurs couldn't have seriously been stupid enough to not sign Splitter (even if it took the full MLE) even if Jefferson hadn't opted out. Now that he unexpectedly has, the odds of them signing Splitter only increase.

The hang-up isn't on this side of the pond. Splitter has to commit to coming over. Rest assured, the Spurs have a hard-on for this guy and are doing everything they can to get him in.