Is Pop doing the Right Thing with Splitter?

[jjktkk]

Hate to be pessimistic, but it seems Splitter's been designated a garbage-time player by Pop's genius, and he'll not be a factor in the drive for 5.

Nothing Splitter can do about it, except showcase his talents for the few minutes that hes given. It sucks having him play only in garbage time, but Splitter needs to makes the most of those garbage time minutes.

[Hoops Czar]

Nothing Splitter can do about it, except showcase his talents for the few minutes that hes given. It sucks having him play only in garbage time, but Splitter needs to makes the most of those garbage time minutes.

The only thing he does well is take a charge. For that, he deserves garbage time.

[jag]

The only thing he does well is take a charge. For that, he deserves garbage time.

So that's the only thing?

[Hoops Czar]

So that's the only thing?

He's a giant flopper. He's in position to take a charge before his man receives the ball. That's his entire defensive arsenal. I'm not buying it's an extended preseason. He's getting dominated on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He's even struggling to score one on one in garbage time.

[SpursDynasty85]

I haven't read the other posts in this thread because I don't have time right now, so forgive me if someone else already made this point:

Splitter doesn't look good right now and I agree that it probably isn't a good idea he play too much right now. Splitter looks out of sync and very jumpy. The only way to work this through this is one-on-one coaching or just experience with NBA games. Because the Spurs need to win as many games as possible giving him a ton of experience in live games right now probably isn't a good idea.

I am a huge protestor of how Popovich handle's newcombers, especially Splitter this year. I will give Popovich the benefit of doubt for Splitter because of his injuries. That said, making splitter comfortable is still the best chance to win the championship, so I hope Popovich is finding time, whenever wherever he can, to tutor Splitter like he did RJ over the summer. He'll be short on time, but he should definitely invest as much of it as possible.

Go Spurs!

[duncan228]

From tonight's recap.

Spurs F Tiago Splitter scored five points in 18 minutes, continuing to play only sparingly since being the crown jewel of the club’s offseason moves. Coach Gregg Popovich said Splitter’s impact and minutes have been hurt by him being injured for nearly all of training camp.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2010120524

[ulosturedge]

He is still learning the system. Whatever he is doing on the offensive end is really a moot point because obviously what we need is a defensive presence down low. We have plenty of offensive weapons. He is not the second coming of Scola.

Why do people continue to hate on Pop? The old Pop would have never played a young Hill and Blair as much as he has, and this year Gary Neal is already getting minutes and the same could have been said for JA til he got hurt. Not to mention he got rid of the dreaded Finley, Mason, and Bogans.

I say again we have the best record in the NBA, and it's early as in the NBA season still. What more do you guys want? You guys are short sighted as , and panicking way to early. Have some patience.

[Man In Black]

I think this is the second thread I've seen you post this Nazr comparison and it is quite misleading.

Nazr wasn't unleashed by Pop. He was averaging about 14 minutes a game in 17 contests and 10 mpg in the last 5 of those until Rasho sprained his ankle and was sidelined into the first round of the playoffs. Furthermore, the back 11 of those 17 were without Duncan who was out with his anke injury (though really it was 10 and he played 2 minutes in what I'm counting as 11th). I do remember Nazr having a nagging injury when he arrived, but he just wasn't playing even with Duncan out.


Nazr was only starting and playing more than 14 minutes a contest for the last 6 games of the regular season. Actually Horry started one of the last 6 but Nazr averaged 29 the last 6 with Rasho out.
Before that, Rasho started every game he had played.

Nazr wasn't getting unleashed on anything without Rasho getting injured.

It's not misleading in this sense. Think of it in this light: Spurs need a bigger big to compete against teams with Big Frontcourts. RC & Pop engineer a trade to get a bigger big than the one they have now, not named Tim Duncan. The pundits would have us believe that Splitter needs to play as much as he can right now, when in actuality, if the Spurs could integrate Nazr from January05 & on, into a primary contributor, then when can't they do the same with Splitter but with a longer timeframe to allow his body the rest it needed from a full year of compe ive ACB, Euroleague, and World Championship play?
I didn't say Pop unleashed Nazr, if it came out that way, that wasn't my intent. I meant that Pop will unleash Splitter around that same time of the season that trade was...January and on. I could be wrong, but what if I'm right?
Besides, doing it the way that they've been doing it...if the Spurs are still winning 16 games for every 3 that they lose, they'd still be #1 and why would we still be going BAMA?

[Ice009]

From tonight's recap.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2010120524

Not this training camp again.

That was Pop's excuse for Nazr and why he didn't play him much and completely shut him down for the playoffs.

[rmt]

It didn't give him regular rotation minutes.

Tonight's game vs. NO was a huge chance for him to break into the rotation with a decent amount of minutes. It was ugly.

His performance tonight on the offensive end was in no way his fault. The guards need to stop running away from the screen and turn their man in order to get Splitter a GOOD pass on the roll. There was only one instance when Quinn played the roll correctly and got Tiago the ball in stride.

There are clearly chemistry issues with the newcomers and it is to be expected. If Splitter is to be effective, he needs to play with players who can turn their man and attack the basket and get Splitter the ball in stride. There were many instances when Quinn, Hill, Neal couldn't get the ball inside to Tiago when he was open under or very near the basket after he set the screen.

If the ball were to get in to Splitter by Manu, or TP, or anyone else able to get him the ball with a good pass, I would not have been surprised to see Tiago EASILY get 14 points.

GET HIM THE DAMN BALL PEOPLE!!!! Good things usually happen.

Ditto. None of the players (Udoka, Neal, Hill, Quinn[once]) could get him the ball. He needs to play pick and roll with Manu or TP.

Looks like Popovich has no intention of putting him in the rotation - only garbage minutes with the 3rd stringers