Tiago interview

[Spurs Brazil]

Here's Tiago interview for big brazilian newspaper O Estado de São Paulo

How have been the last days?

Just running. It’s four, five days, which I don’t stop. I was in the middle of my honeymoon (he married with his Spanish fiancée Amaia) and received a call to go to San Antonio. Of course I knew they were trying to get a deal done but, man, we had never spoken anything concrete. We had a great meeting, I had dinner with coach Popovich and other teams officials. I’am very happy because things worked out and I got a good contract. All past few days were intense, but I'm very happy with this.

That change was not the only change in your life

It's true. A lot happened lately. I won the ACB League, against the current European Champion (Barcelona). Nobody believed in us. I was also the MVP of the finals and the championship. It was a very special le. I'm very excited. It was a great year.

What’s the feeling about leaving Victoria?

Everyone knew that I had the option to change team now. It was a very beautiful experience. I fulfilled many dreams in Victoria and they also gave me the opportunity to appear for the basketball world and have the chance to play in the NBA.

You saw Ginobili joke on Twitter?

Heard!

And what do you think?
(Laughs) Ginobili won everything in the NBA, Euroleague, in the NT so it was an honor that he did that joke. He is a very good person and I think I'll have no problem to get along with him both on and off the court.

Anyway, he made a comparison between you and LeBron James, who announced his FA decision on TV. Does it shows the level of anxiety for you arrive?

Look, I always think a lot about my decisions. I think I did everything correctly. In 2007, I still had a contract with Tau Ceramica (old name of the Caja Laboral) and did not feel sufficiently prepared to play in the NBA. Now it's different. I did everything in Europe, with all the les and I’m in a great moment in my career.

The situation you arrive in the NBA is quite different from the other Brazilians players. How to you want to deal with the high expectations?

Anderson, Nene, Leandro Barbosa and the Rafael arrived very young and grew up in the League. I’m in a different situation. But I look at the history of Ginobili and Scola, and those are good examples to follow. Now I’ll try to do everything that help the team win. If I do that every night it’s a guarantee of success. Being in the NBA, of course, is a dream come true and also a goal but I don’t want to stop there. I have a lot do.

What about playing with Tim Duncan, one of your idols?

I never thought I'd share the locker room with him. He’s a guy who I admire for his character and the player he is. I always tried to see videos to imitate him. I always try to learn from the best and he is one of those.

Some reporters in Texas questioned your committed to Brazil NT. Did the Spurs make some sort of demand about it?

No, it was not questioned at all. It's a personal decision and they can’t force me not to go. Playing for Brazil is something very special to me. I always wanted to play and hopefully continue for many years.

http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodeh...mp581467,0.php

[Sotongball21]

He's very frank. Sounds like tp.
Thanks for the share!

[MoSpur]

I know RC made a joke about him playing for his National Team in the press conference.

[xellos88330]

What was the joke Manu said?

[will_spurs]

What was the joke Manu said?

That Splitter's "decisao" would be broadcast on Brazilian TV or something to that effect.

[Lebowski Brickowski]

Some reporters in Texas questioned your committed to Brazil NT. Did the Spurs make some sort of demand about it?

No, it was not questioned at all. It's a personal decision and they can’t force me not to go. Playing for Brazil is something very special to me. I always wanted to play and hopefully continue for many years.

"We're gonna talk about that."

[LoneStarState'sPride]

That Splitter's "decisao" would be broadcast on Brazilian TV or something to that effect.

Oh, that Manu! *mockingly* lol

Seriously though, I really like Tiago--from all accounts he seems humble and genuine, and that will take him far in San Antonio. Hopefully his game translates well into the NBA. Hey, he's working with Timmeh, so that can't hurt, right?

[Mark in Austin]

As a Spurs fan, I really don't think he could have answered those questions any better than he did. Sounds like he's going to fit right in.

(He handled the questions about leaving his old team much more gracefully than LeBron did, and he probably didn't even pay the reporter...)

[TMTTRIO]

It'll be interesting to see how Manu and Tiago play together on court.

[ducks]

as a spur fan I would not want him to play for brazil


he said he wants to play for many years for that team

and said spurs can not force him not to

I think he could have answered those questions better
but I guess he is not from france so he gets a break

[Mel_13]

as a spur fan I would not want him to play for brazil


he said he wants to play for many years for that team

and said spurs can not force him not to

I think he could have answered those questions better
but I guess he is not from france so he gets a break

Yeah, the situations of TP and Tiago are comparable.

[DesignatedT]

Tiago

[rayray2k8]

Why can't TP go to nations?!

Don't worry, Tiago will realize that the spurs need him more than the national team does, so he'll be joining your lover soon.

[Spurs Brazil]

Jut running. It’s four, five days, which I don’t stop. I was in the middle of my honeymoon (he married with his Spanish fiancée Amaia) and received a call to go to San Antonio. Of course I knew they were trying to get a deal done but, man, we had never spoken anything concrete. We had a great meeting, I had dinner with coach Popovich and other teams officials. I’am very happy because things worked out and I got a good contract. All past few days were intense, but I'm very happy with this.

I was surprised by that. He said he and the Spurs didn't talk until last week. Very weird. Spurs were probably only talking with his agent and when things got close they called Tiago

[timvp]

Good find and thanks for the translation

I was surprised by that. He said he and the Spurs didn't talk until last week. Very weird. Spurs were probably only talking with his agent and when things got close they called Tiago

I think that was part of the Spurs playing hardball. By acting like they had other options (See: O'Neal, Shaquille) and pretending they didn't really, really need Splitter, they were able to get him for about 1/3rd of what some people predicted.

[Spurs Brazil]

JMcDonald_SAEN
More Pop on Tiago: “He’s kind of like Manu coming over. They both have that same type of fiber, that winning compe ive at ude.” #spurs
Pop from Vegas, on Splitter: "He’s a rebounder, defender passer kind of guy. He’s not there to score 20 or anything like that.” #spurs

[Muser]

I like Pops comments

[Russ]

Good find and thanks for the translation



I think that was part of the Spurs playing hardball. By acting like they had other options (See: O'Neal, Shaquille) and pretending they didn't really, really need Splitter, they were able to get him for about 1/3rd of what some people predicted.

Dealing that way with Int'l players generally works well for the Spurs. (Although it seems to have backfired with Scola.)

[Blackjack]

Jeff McDonald.

I guess he finally saw this video.

[TDMVPDPOY]

is his wife hot?

[Silver&Black]

Great post. Thanks Brazil..

[will_spurs]

is his wife hot?

This thread's first post has a link to a newspaper article with a tiny photo...

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157837

[spursfan1000]

Thanks for the feed.