What Do We Know About Splitter?

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

I know splitter is about 7 feet tall. I know he's said to be an excellent defender and is largely thought to be the best big man in Europe. But that's where my knowledge ends.

What do we know about this guy? Anyone here followed his career? Seen him play?

Is he a shot blocker?

Can he shoot?

What kind of post game does he have?

I appreciate any info anyone can thrown out there on this guy. I'd like to know more about him and the impact he could have on this team.

[Mel_13]

34 pages of Splitter talk:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthre...124679&page=34

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

34 pages of Splitter talk:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthre...124679&page=34

Thanks! Didn't see it.

[ohmwrecker]

34 pages of Splitter talk:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthre...124679&page=34

Mel, separating fact from fiction on a Spurstalk thread is a Herculean task.

[Solid D]

He's not a great shot-blocker but he's decent at it. He can score from mid-range and in. Good footwork and adept at slipping screens and keeping his hands high to receive a pass. He's good in the pivot, fairly strong but not over-powering. He is a solid rebounder.

As a defender, he's decent but he wouldn't make an all-defensive NBA team. Against NBA players, he has shown well. In 2007, against team USA in the FIBA tournament, Brazil did not do very well, but Splitter did very well. He went for 13 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block in 26 minutes, against LeBron, Dwyane, Carmello, Dwight Howard, and company. It was clearly the best performance by any Brazillian player.

I think he can be a solid player in the NBA. He has a lot of saavy and knows the intricacies of the game better than he did a few years ago when the Spurs drafted him.

[Solid D]

Oops, sorry. Didn't see Mel's post.

[gospursgojas]

Hes a white mexican guy thats tall and mvp of spain

[tp2021]

Oops, sorry. Didn't see Mel's post.

Funny guy

[Mel_13]

Mel, separating fact from fiction on a Spurstalk thread is a Herculean task.

Ok, how about this. Full videos of Splitter earning the MVP award in the Spanish League Finals. Number 21 in white:

Game 1:

http://acb360.orange.es/diferidos/LACB/54/329

Game 2:

http://acb360.orange.es/diferidos/LACB/54/330

Game 3:

http://acb360.orange.es/diferidos/LACB/54/331

[EduRiker]

Ive seen him play since he was 17. He's very solid, just not a player to build around.
He's a very good one on one defender and he settles to altering shots instead of gambling for blocks.
Early in his career he used to have a very nice outside stroke but that's gone now since the spaniards did not stress that in his development. But Ive seen him hitting three pointers. He's a 60-70% FT shooter and gets fouled a lot in Europe. He's not very strong so I can he him suffering against Howard, Perkins, Nene, etc.
Most of all, he's a team player. He will sacrifice his stats for the good of the team. He's not the kind of player thats gonna fight with his teamate for a FT rebound. He will do everything for his team to win.
My prediction is that he will average 11/6 in his rookie year and maybe 16/8 in his prime with a declining Duncan.

[dbestpro]

Right now he is no better than Ian, but the moment he signs he is as good as Gasol.

[gospursgojas]

Ive seen him play since he was 17. He's very solid, just not a player to build around.
He's a very good one on one defender and he settles to altering shots instead of gambling for blocks.
Early in his career he used to have a very nice outside stroke but that's gone now since the spaniards did not stress that in his development. But Ive seen him hitting three pointers. He's a 60-70% FT shooter and gets fouled a lot in Europe. He's not very strong so I can he him suffering against Howard, Perkins, Nene, etc.
Most of all, he's a team player. He will sacrifice his stats for the good of the team. He's not the kind of player thats gonna fight with his teamate for a FT rebound. He will do everything for his team to win.
My prediction is that he will average 11/6 in his rookie year and maybe 16/8 in his prime with a declining Duncan.

16/8 wow. 11/6 next season Ill be ok with

[Spurs Brazil]

He's not a great shot-blocker but he's decent at it. He can score from mid-range and in. Good footwork and adept at slipping screens and keeping his hands high to receive a pass. He's good in the pivot, fairly strong but not over-powering. He is a solid rebounder.

As a defender, he's decent but he wouldn't make an all-defensive NBA team. Against NBA players, he has shown well. In 2007, against team USA in the FIBA tournament, Brazil did not do very well, but Splitter did very well. He went for 13 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block in 26 minutes, against LeBron, Dwyane, Carmello, Dwight Howard, and company. It was clearly the best performance by any Brazillian player.

I think he can be a solid player in the NBA. He has a lot of saavy and knows the intricacies of the game better than he did a few years ago when the Spurs drafted him.

great post Solid D

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

Good info, all. Thanks!

[Kent_in_Atlanta]

I just watched a few minutes of one of Splitters games, and I noticed he was wearing number 21.

Will he be wearing the same number in SA, or does anyone have that number already?

(yes, I am joking)

[Kindergarten Cop]

I just watched a few minutes of one of Splitters games, and I noticed he was wearing number 21.

Will he be wearing the same number in SA, or does anyone have that number already?

(yes, I am joking)

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155554

He said at his press conference after being drafted in '07 that he'd wear number 25.

[lurker23]

[spursballer21]

what number is he gona wear since james anderson is wearing number 25

[Cane]

what number is he gona wear since james anderson is wearing number 25

Imo thats whats been taking so long to get Splitter.

He's still thinking of a number and he's kinda pissed that both 21 and 25 are gone

[ducks]

duncan should change his number

spurs would make millions if he changed his number

[Seventyniner]

If multiple players can wear the same number in the All-Star game, why not normal games? Didn't the West have three #21s one year? (Duncan, Garnett, and I can't remember the third)

[MaNu4Tres]

Imo thats whats been taking so long to get Splitter.

He's still thinking of a number and he's kinda pissed that both 21 and 25 are gone

#15

Which would be a good thing...

Hopefully

[ducks]

6 would be perfect

[EricB]

Sign him and let him have 15 so the masses can celebrate.

[FromWayDowntown]

He should choose #12 to be the next South American to force the Spurs' hand on the retirement of a jersey.