Tiago Splitter understandably a bit frustrated

[Capt Bringdown]

However, Pop will have to start giving more playing time to Tiago soon or it will be too late. If Splitter stays in the doghouse the whole year, Spurs last remote hope to win a championship will be gone.

Pop's stubbornly blockheaded "Hill isn't ready" comes to mind from a couple of years ago. We don't have the luxury of doing things as we've always done them. It's time to play jazz. Too bad Pop likes Lawrence Welk.

[mathbzh]

I wonder if and when, Splitter will consider moving back to Europe.

[BillMc]

1) Team with Complex System Acquires New Player
2) New Player Misses All of Training Camp
3) Message board Overreacts to His Limited Playing Time Early in the Season.

Shocking.

Fortunately, Tiago seems to be acting professionally about everything.

[KuntryDude]

I would like to think that Pop is working w/ Tiago behind the scenes and saving him as a secret weapon just in case we happen to meet up against L.A. during playoffs. I can't forsee Bonner nor Blair getting significant minutes having to guard Gasol/Bynum.

[silk]

You're dreaminn there's no secret weapon thing with pop

[KuntryDude]

Evidently, he thinks of Bonner as a secret weapon.....

[ElNono]

Or when posters pretend they know more than Pop.

How do you know Phil Jackson doesn't post here?

[ElNono]

Spurs won't go far in the playoffs without Splitter playing a significant role. I hope Spurs staff isn't fooled by the 17-3 record and all the weaknesses this team has, especially on the defensive end. Splitter, if he pans out, could solve a lot of these weaknesses. However, I don't see how he could help if he doesn't play...

Spurs still have 62 games to play before the playoffs. That's way enough time to work with Tiago so I'm not panicking for the moment. However, Pop will have to start giving more playing time to Tiago soon or it will be too late. If Splitter stays in the doghouse the whole year, Spurs last remote hope to win a championship will be gone.

FREE TIAGO.

It's just not fair to him or the group (whatever that's supposed to mean).

[Agloco]

He needs to play stronger at the rim.

[lefty]

Splitter is good on D, but he is an offensive liability

And since the Spurs are the new Suns, Splitter won't see much time unless he improves his O.

[Trill Clinton]

1) Team with Complex System Acquires New Player
2) New Player Misses All of Training Camp
3) Message board Overreacts to His Limited Playing Time Early in the Season.

Shocking.

Fortunately, Tiago seems to be acting professionally about everything.

powerful post

[Chomag]

Splitter should start, and Blair, and Bonner used on the bench for situations. It just seems very difficult to find time for Splitter once every other big has played. It does seem to be just like a pipe dream however.

[Agloco]

Splitter should start, and Blair, and Bonner used on the bench for situations. It just seems very difficult to find time for Splitter once every other big has played. It does seem to be just like a pipe dream however.

I think the issue is more about how many minutes he should be playing. I don't see Blair starting as a problem as long as Splitter is getting adequate time to develop.

[Mel_13]

1) Team with Complex System Acquires New Player
2) New Player Misses All of Training Camp
3) Message board Overreacts to His Limited Playing Time Early in the Season.

Shocking.

Fortunately, Tiago seems to be acting professionally about everything.

Brevity.

[DPG21920]

Brevity.

I think most are giving Pop the benefit of the doubt with regards to Tiago. We simply know the importance of his role if this team is to reach it's full potential.

[alucardthereaper]

he just needs to be more aggressive and his teammates in the second lineup should give him the ball more often that would raise his confidence...he will get through he kicked serious in europe trust me i've seen him plenty...

[Mel_13]

I think most are giving Pop the benefit of the doubt with regards to Tiago. We simply know the importance of his role if this team is to reach it's full potential.

Count me very much in the pro-Tiago camp. I just find some of the near-hysterical whining and moaning over his playing time to be amusing.

Now there are plenty of people making a well-reasoned case for increased playing time, but neither I nor the poster I commended are commenting on those posters.

[rjv]

one has to still wonder how much of this is talent when it comes to rookies. tim obviously never had to wait...or manu..or parker

but even at the talent level splitter is at..blair got more minutes as a rookie and anderson was getting more minutes (perhaps that is how much pop regards andersons talent though)

still, splitter is good enough and big enough to eventually get into the rotation on a regular basis. and i am sure pop knows he will need him against the bigger lineups of the league if we are to stand any chance at all.

[Chomag]

Meh, maybe it's just going to take the spurs getting beaten to death by a healthy lakers or Celtics before Pop decides he needs Splitter in the rotation to beat those type of big teams. Hopefully that will happen by the regular season and not in the playoffs when it's to late.

However I think i'm leaning towards the realization that Pop's plan for Splitter for this season is for him to just be Tim's back up.

[it's me]

He just needs to start shooting 3s…. he can go 0-6 and Pop will be just fine with it right????..... as long as he “spread the floor” he’ll get playing time lol

[ohmwrecker]

I think most are giving Pop the benefit of the doubt with regards to Tiago. We simply know the importance of his role if this team is to reach it's full potential.

I think Pop knows it too. It seems like he wants to give Splitter some time, they just haven't reached that comfort level yet.

Why he has it with Bonner? . . . I have no idea.

[it's me]

I think Pop knows it too. It seems like he wants to give Splitter some time, they just haven't reached that comfort level yet.

Why he has it with Bonner? . . . I have no idea.

He’s probably building a house for his grandchildren with all Bonner’s crunch time bricks.

[jjktkk]

How do you know Phil Jackson doesn't post here?

Tjastal?

[ploto]

The Spurs record does not mean that Pop is handling the situation correctly. They could have just as well won those games AND given Tiago time to play.

[dbreiden83080]

“He’s used to playing a lot of minutes and being a big part of what’s going on,” Popovich said. “That’s not happening for him right now, and I’m not in a position to give him 30 minutes to get him going. That’s not fair to him or to the whole group.”

Well how the is he supposed to grow into a valuable asset to you Pop if you don't go through some growing pains with him? Tony was out there as a 19 year old kid screwing up left and right but he kept getting the minutes..