Tiago v Team USA

[temujin]

marcelinho???

dude would suck in the NBA. too slow and nonathletic

Ask Billups.

[Russ]

It goes without saying that FIBA rules and court dimensions are different. Scola is an outstanding offensive player, in any league or venue.

Correct. But the reason that some great international players are less effective in the NBA is that defense is played completely differently in the two formats. Much more focus and athletic ability is required over here.

That is why Scola has not (and likely will not) be an effective piece in a championship level NBA team.

Pop's crocodile tears aside, I don't think the Spurs were all that sold on Scola as an NBA player when they basically gave him away.

[JustinJDW]

Tiago Splitter + Manu Ginobili = Unstoppable Pick-N-Rolls = Unstoppable Bench.

[Nathan89]

Splitter looked good. Not the type of player I was suspecting considering how he was hyped but a solid role player. He's not Scola, but he'll help the Spurs.

Offense - can score in the post but takes too long for him. That dribble, dribble, dribble approach (announcer called it accurately as a 'Charles Barkley') doesn't work in the NBA. And again, that was on a lighter opponent in LO (who he did abuse). Didn't do much against Chandler. He moved very well off the pick/roll.

He'll do the dirty work on O but he's not a scorer. Didn't show a jump shot either.

Defense - Solid post defense (although Team USA doesn't have any good post players) but he'll be attacked and pick up a lot of fouls next year. Good help defender but not NBA-elite size so he's not going to block a lot of shots. Not going to get a lot of steals like Nene either.

My guess on next year - an Udonis Haslem-like impact. 25 min, 9 pts, 7-8 boards, .5 blocks per game.

Impact - it helps SA in that they have another big defender so its not just Duncan. He's not great but solid, and that may keep Duncan's legs fresher. But he's far from a savior or championship piece. Just not the offensive threat. But considering the price paid, he wasn't expected to be.

This is a legitimate post by 2cleva. Haslem stats is great prediction for splitter.

[Solid D]

Correct. But the reason that some great international players are less effective in the NBA is that defense is played completely differently in the two formats. Much more focus and athletic ability is required over here.

That is why Scola has not (and likely will not) be an effective piece in a championship level NBA team.

Pop's crocodile tears aside, I don't think the Spurs were all that sold on Scola as an NBA player when they basically gave him away.

I agree that the Spurs were probably not sold on Scola, at least for their needs. I also believe that they now realize they made a mistake. That's why I think you and I will probably continue to disagree with each other on your assertion that Luis will not be an effective piece in a championship level NBA team. The only thing standing in the way of Luis being an effective piece in a championship level team is the current franchise with which he just re-upped.

[ezau]

As mentioned already, international game isn't the NBA.

Second - box score analyst is foolish. Splitter played well and LO had another spaceball game. No surprise there. Odom always has issues with post players more physical than him. Fortunately, he rarely will be guarding Splitter if the teams meet. But Odom can't guard Millsap or even Baby Davis in the post.

Haslem in terms of impact. Quality glue big man. But he's not a franchise player in the NBA. I wonder if he even is a starter for SA.

Haslem comparison is spot on. I'm already happy if Splitter contributes around 9 and 8 a game.

[EricB]

a 7 footer who can bring 9 and 8 in his rookie year?

Uh yeah thats not a bad thing last I checked.