Could Tiago Splitter become this season's George Hill?
Written by Trevor Zickgraf | 12 June 2012
The San Antonio Spurs have a slight problem. It's a problem that didn't completely rear its head until the Western Conference Finals, but once we saw it we couldn't get rid of it. When Tim Duncan wasn't in the basketball game, the San Antonio Spurs couldn't protect the paint and their overall defense went to in a hand basket. Don't believe me? Check out the Thunder's offensive rating when Duncan is on the court and when Duncan is off the court. We've heard the Spurs want Boris Diaw back and that they want Erazem Lorbek to come over from Europe. That's a fantastic way to keep the offense flowing, but it's not going to improve their interior defense.
The Spurs faced a similar problem last season, just in a different position. They were undersized at shooting guard and small forward and were able to turn George Hill in to Kawhi Leonard, a cornerstone for the Spurs' future. The same thing might need to happen this season. George Hill was a great Spurs and a good fit for the franchise, but trading him was the only way to improve and keep the core of the team together. This year's draft has some guys in this year's NBA Draft that could help the Spurs some defensive issues, but it might mean they have to part with Tiago Splitter in the process.
Make no mistake, I write being a big Tiago Splitter fan. His work as the role man in pick and roll situations is some of the best in the league and he's almost too willing of a passer (people who aren't fans of Splitter will see he's weak around the basket). He's a decent defender and the only other guy on the team besides Duncan we can consider a true center. When Duncan sat out games due to rest Splitter almost always did a fantastic job filling in. He is the San Antonio Spurs second best big man.
Two questions must be asked moving forward. The first is why trade Splitter and second is what is his value. The first question is easier to answer because it involves less of a guessing game. The reason you trade Splitter is because despite his talents, trading him will help fill a need that will make the Spurs more complete. As for his trade value, that's more difficult to determine. At face value Splitter's numbers are decent but not overwhelming. But look at his Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and Per 36 Minutes numbers. 17 points and nearly ten rebounds per 36 minutes are very good numbers and one could argue, though they'd be using a small sample size, that Splitter could be an all-star if he's giving starter's minutes in the right system.
I would argue Splitter is worth a late lottery pick. Late lottery teams (teams picking from spots 10-14) are teams that are most likely a piece or two away from making the playoffs. This year is no exception. The Portland Trailblazers (picking 11) will no doubt be angling to return to the playoffs next season, the Milwaukee Bucks (picking 12th) nearly made the playoffs this season and the Houston Rockets... well, let's not discuss the Rockets and a prized Spurs big man. I would even argue that New Orleans, not wanting to overpay Chris Kaman, would be willing to trade the tenth pick in the draft if it got them some low post scoring. Let's remember, Splitter only costs three million dollars this season and is a restricted free agent the following year. That's a cheap price for a starting center.
Let's assume the Spurs were able to trade Splitter for anywhere from pick ten to 14. What kind of player are we talking about? Here's a quick rundown of some big guys that are projected to go in that range:
Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky: Versatile, athletic and excellent on defense. Jones is Josh Smith 2.0 right down to the occasional ill advised jumper. But given Chip Engelland and Chad Forcier's ability to work with guys on their jumper, those 20 footers may not be so ill advised. Oh, and did I mention this guy is a tough, athletic defender? He's all over the place on mock drafts. ESPN has him at number seven, Draft Express has him at 17.
Perry Jones III, F, Baylor: He's more of a small forward or stretch power forward then a traditional big man despite his 6'11" frame, but an athletic face up power forward might be the perfect person to put right next to Duncan. He's the ultimate boom or bust prospect, but if he's a boom he could San Antonio's next All-Star.
Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio State: More of an offensive weapon than a defensive one, but Sullinger can score from several different spots on the court and he's a beast of a rebounder. Paul Milsap is a good comparison, so is David West. Kevin Love is what you want him to become.
Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois: Leonard was one of the darlings of last week's NBA Draft Combine. He's a legit 7'1", is super athletic and has nice touch for a guy his size. It's entirely possible he could move in to the top ten if his individual workouts go as well as the Combine did.
John Henson, F, UNC: Long, athletic, rebounds incredibly well and would be an ideal pick and roll defender. There's a decent chance he's going number nine to Detroit, but if he gains some weight he's going to an amazing defender at the four spot.
Tyler Zeller, C, UNC: Zeller is one of the safest picks in the draft. There's not a lot of ways for him to fail, but unless he really, really works on his offensive game, he's probably never going to be a good team's best big guy. Still, he's athletic, can finish around the rim and his turn around baby hook from the block is damn near impossible to defend. Someone's going to get a solid player with his kid.
There's nothing that says Splitter is a goner. Despite his Game Six blow up, Coach Popovich spoke very highly of Splitter throughout the season. We should also remember Splitter hasn't been through a full Spurs training camp which will make it easier for him to adjust to the Spurs' defense and will also make it easier for the Spurs to work him and Duncan together. That's the risk you face when you trade a known commodity for a draft pick. But it's what the Spurs did last year and that seemed to work out well.
http://projectspurs.com/2012-article...orge-hill.html
I am also a Splitter fan but let's call a spade a spade.
Splitter won't help the Spurs or his career by staying. Getting a decent defender like you mentioned will help the spurs so I hope he gets traded.
Two years and for anyone who can take their Spurs glasses off and cares to see reality-the coach tried his best to not develop Splitter. Let him go.
Don't force it and pretend you like him.
I fully agree. Based on how Tiago is used by Pop, he will leave Spurs for sure when his contract expires. It is worthwhile to trade him for a centre at 10-16 pick (where some teams at this range need immediate help) but the new guy need to have the ability to pair with TD
We were able to trade Hill because we were going to get similar (emphasis on similar) value from Neal and had the opportunity to bolster a position of need @ SF. We don't have that luxury with Splitter, and given his overall skill set, experience, and maturity, I wouldn't gamble on a rook.
This article makes some good points. Although I like tiago, if Pop isn't going to play him, then we might as well replace him with a young talent that can make an impact now and help build for the future.
We could then replace Splitter with Lorbek, and resign Diaw. I could maybe see the kings taking Splitter and maybe neal or blair for the #5 ,just for some veteran leadership and talent(cousins and blair are also supposed to be good friends). Splitters stats are pretty damn good per minutes based on the season. After the #5 although, Im not sure there would be any takers until that 10-15 range, and im not sure there's anyone there that could help the spurs more than splitter. I would love to see what the kind of talent the Spurs could uncover with that 5th pick.
IMO barring some crazy offer these are the guys off the table.
Parker Manu Kawhi Duncan jackson neal, Other than that they are all expendable.
delete every other sentence to make it more readable..unless you get paid by word
Neal is a guy who has value if the opportunity to trade up in the draft using him I would do it.
Neal being untouchable is laughable.
I don't see Splitter's value being that high. If it is? Then yes if you can find a Kawhi Leonard like power forward or center then yeah you do it.
Any chance they have to move high into the draft, they have to take it. If we don't enter next season with an athletic post presence, OKC will still run all over us.
The thing is I'd take splitter over any of the guys just listed above. The article is all about needing a shot blocking, paint protecting big man and none of those guys fit the bill. Zeller is the closest but I think of him as a Gasol type player, very finesse.
John Henson could be great, but not what we need
Splitter is a better player than most c/pf in nba...the point is that for several reasons (one of these being the fact that sometimes he looks a little "fragile") he didn't play a lot this year. But when given minutes he produced a lot, and the more he played the more he produced.
Blair has been our starting pf most of the season.
Neal has some wonderful offensive skills.
Their trade value is high, 'cause all of the three have just one last year of contract at a small price, all of them have potential to improve with more playing time and all three had some play off experience with a good organization.
All three for n° 5 ?
No. MLE won't be enough for both. it's either or.
unfortunately you are the only person in the whole universe who can see this.
Splitter plus crap for a #5 pick in a pretty deep draft. yeah, sure. jezzz. why stop there? let's get Davis.
Why would a head coach try NOT to develop one of his players. That is just a ludicrous statement people who have no part of basketball other than being a fan make. As a coach I try to get the most out of my players. A coach spends a lot more time with his players than what you fans see on the tube. There is no better judge of talent than your head coach.
I love Splitter but he has a limited skill set. He is ineffective outside of 10 feet. Can't shoot a jumper to save his life nor does he have a post game. Defensively, he is active but not a shot blocker nor a great low post defender. Lets call a spade a spade.
Good players on small contracts with one year on their contracts aren't valuable because they are one season away from cashing in and potentially leaving you. I can't imagine trading a #5 pick for three instances of this problem.
Even if someone were to go for it... on the Spurs end, it isn't that great an idea either, because it means they'd have to luck out and find 2 capable players around the same price point as the players they'd be shipping out, along with the trouble of training a rookie (who 95% of the time would not have the skills and intelligence of Splitter anyway).
Splitter isn't exactly a scrub. He was close to Duncan in PER the whole year. His per minute #s were up there with some of the best bigs in the league. Blair would play for a majority of teams in the league. The kings have good building blocks building blocks in Evans, Cousins, and Thomas. Adding some depth and veteran leadership in Neal, Blair, and Splitter doesn't seem that far-fetched to me.
What player that is going at 5 has the same potential as Davis?
keep in mind that the kings were using Evans as a SF by the end of the year.
He overvalues Splitter. No way we could get a late lottery--unless someone wants to pick up his cheap contract to save money.
Sullinger would be a dream pickup, to me. With the right coaching, he will be an elite big guy.
People forget: Splitter is not young. He is a raw 27 year-old....that is not a good thing.
Tiago is a really good player but in the playoffs he got exposed, he's soft. Plus Pop doesn't seem to trust him. If you get a good offer, I say trade him.
Ok, I'll humor you;
If I am right-then trade him he is of no value to this team if the coach won't play him.
If you are right-trade him because someone who knows a whole of a lot more about talent than the both of us has coached him for two years and decided it wasn't worth his time to play him over other players.
Either way;
Trade him.
I'm confident Pop and RC will make a decent move.
oh well.
thanks for reveal Splitter's PER. none here followed him this season.
ever thought that playing exclusively against the 2nd unit of the other team might influence a players PER or per40 numbers?
Splitter is decent. he might in fact bring back the #16 pick.
if Splitter brings back #16, Splitter plus Blair brings back the #16 pick.
Splitter plus Neal brings back the #16 pick.
Splitter plus Blair plus Neal brings back the #16 pick.
forget this Blair and Neal nonsense. they might land you a 2nd rounder. and it is not a high one.
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