I'd like to see a tandem Splitter-Scola with those kids instead of Bonner.
They have great chemistry, both are experienced and have natural leadeship. Would be an interesting thing to see in NBA.
Pop's obtuse reluctance and stubbornness to pair TD & Splitter is well-known and commented on. As is Pop's panicky record of inserting Splitter into playoff series only after the repeated failings of the turd towers.
Pop is a great coach. But even great coaches make colossal mistakes. There's no "agenda" behind such an assessment.
I think we can put to bed the "Splitter has an outside shot" talk, no? That airball was ugly..he needs to stay in the painted area or he'll get put back in the dog house:-(
I think Pop has to do this. Can't wait till game 5 again and then try to figure it out. That's not saying DG will choke again but there's no need to put that pressure on him.
They are trying their damndest though... even soliciting help from the master popsuckers (and when that happens you know pop effed up bad)
Well thats just categorically untrue. How often do you see Stephen Jackson playing that leader card and getting in people's ?
He didn't choke the vs OKC. He went through a shooting slump. He's had them from time to time. He still lead the team in defensive points per 100.
Yeah.Only thing he improved is minutes per game.
No change in FT shooting. Just pretend we did not have to pull him against OKC last year.
WTF do people watch? A big man who is going to get plenty of chances around the rim AND is a good FT shooter WILL get more minutes. Honest to God...
Similar to Manu because they both had Euro experience. Manu is your prototypical Euro find. They are all over the league. All those Greek God PG's we passed up...
oh the irony of a spin... Ridiculous post.
He shot 69% last season, 74%this season.
He had that wrist injury in the playoffs, do u watch the games?
Whether he took the series off or choked doesn't matter. What matters is Pop was forced to change his rotations at the last minute and we got the disaster in game 5 where Pop threw out some crazy rotations that hurt the team.
Timvp, you can tell the people on here who dont remember day before yesterday. Tiago should have been this, Pop should have done that with Tiago etc. What they forget is Tiago Splitter was hurt on the 1st day of preseason as a rookie and did not get back to full strenght for quite sometime. Was never pushed to do something he was not able. In year 2, the league lockout happened. No training camp then no available practice time during season to gain knowledge. Pop do what he did because of tightened schedule. This season Tiago has become the player Pop saw in Europe. What I would like to see more of is Tiago, Kawhi, Green, DeColo and Mills. That to me is the best small ball lineup we have. Neal and Blair are liabilities to the team. Bonner is a servicable big to come off the bench when needed. We cant play the starters 48 mins. a game, so having a solid little 3 to back up the big 3 would be nice.
Yes, it matters a lot. If Green is a choker, Pop needs to preemptively remove him from the lineup so the Spurs don't get dependent on his production (like with Bonner). If Green just had an unlucky streak (which is much more likely than him just taking the series off), the Pop just has to roll with it. If Green had had one of his 60-percent stretches, the Spurs may have been able to overcome all of their other issues and beaten OKC.
What Green has to do is find ways to be helpful even when he's not shooting well. He pretty much went into a s against the Thunder after he couldn't buy a bucket. This season, he's shown good signs of that. He's had some bad shooting stretches so far, but in all but one game, he's found another way to contribute (big rebounding games, games in which he's scored well from two, great defensive games, etc.). If he can do that, then he'll get his minutes and be an asset.
Not all that often, though it's happened on some notable occasions.. Also I suspect you and I have very different definitions of what leadership entails.
Thanks for making me not have to type all this. People should listen to this man since unlike the rest of you he has a memory longer than a roach.
This... Green's a streaky shooter. People forget about his great performances against Utah and the Clippers because IcyHot went cold in the WCF.
Probably not. Jackson's is just a more aggressive and demonstrative style. However, leadership can be much more subtle than that...which is where I would categorize Splitter. Hes a quiet professional that does the right thing (on and off the court), and he garners respect through that professionalism and his intelligence in the system. And when things are unclear on the court, Splitter quietly steps up and instructs.
What I really wish we had was a backup PG that showed some moxy, poise and leadership. We need that floor general.
As a "leader", he needs to be a lot more assertive on offense and much more aggressive on the defensive boards.
So if we got Dwight Howard next year and he was injured during training camp. Do we avoid playing him over our current players for two years? If Pop really wanted to get Tiago in the lineup he would have found a way to get it done. Your selective memory also forgets when he said it wouldn't be fair to the team to play him.
Do you watch the games?
Tell me with a straight face he has done nothing to his FT's this year vs. last year?
Your comment about the lack of leadership among the backup point guards gets to the heart of why I don't consider Splitter a team leader yet. Given the revolving door at the backup PG position, Splitter has more floor experience with the starters than any of the backup PGs, and so it would be surprising if he didn't offer instruction. But I don't see leadership as just a willingness to instruct--ideally that kind of communication could exist between any members of a cohesive team. To me, a team leader is a player willing to take personal responsibility for the collective's success or failure. The ones that always want to run the floor, read the defense, be involved in possessions as the clock winds down. The ones who always put themselves in positions where, sometimes, they have to say, "This loss was on me." While other players may exhibit moments of leadership, those are the players I would consider the team leaders. And I still haven't seen that from anyone other than Tim, Tony, and Manu.
Good job OP!
But I don't get it on some poster here saying about his percentage, he choked, etc. when Spurs being #1. I think the reason why the Spurs being #1 right now when Pop inserted Splitter to the starting line-up. C'mon people, learn to appreciate. Stop expecting too much, it was a good start/sign.
I'm starting to see Mr. Splitter developing into the future of the Spurs franchise, along with Mr. Leonard.
Leaders are those who empower others. Tiago helps to empower others.
I'm starting to see the same thing happen in tonights game, Tiago is running the floor with confidence, he's using post moves and controlling the boards. I am loving this evolution and he's still very young for his position.
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