+1
It would motivate Splitter's more to work hard for that starting slot.
And a loaded frontline - great problem to have
Splitter and Blair is a decent combination defensively - Splitter's weakness is rebounding and Blair has plenty of it and his mobility, length and quickness can make up for some of Blair's deficiencies - but I don't like it from an offensive standpoint - none of them has any kind of range.
edit: meh... what mountainballer said some posts above.
hey, nice rebounding by Tiago.
15 reb. this weekend against Fuenlabrada.
as far as I can tell, this is his career high!
If Splitter comes next year, I see him paired with Tim in the starting line up or with Mc Dyess in the reserve line up...(I prefer the first option; in the second option, the starting bigs would be Duncan-Bonner or Duncan-Blair...and Bonner already show that's better plaiyg in a reserve role, while Blair at the moment - also if I trust the player's potential to improve a lot in the comng months - doesn't look like starting material).
That's 'cause in offense Splitter needs at the some time an outside shooter and a good rebounder to compliment him (Timmy and Mac D, as for now, have an absolutely better outside shot than Blair, and Bonner is not a good enough rebounder).
I write Bonner too 'cause if Bonner go on playing like this he will be obviously re-signed...
after some quite games in the 2 weeks before, Tiago had some pretty decent games this week, either in the Spanish league (14-8-4) and last night in the Euroleague (15-8-3).
his numbers are similar to his last seasons, but there are still some interesting (positive) tendencies to notice.
rebounding numbers (also per minute) are improved, this is a result of a higher workload he has to shoulder on the boards, after the departure of McDonald and Mickael. (especially the offensive rebound was McDonald's job) he still isn't a monster on the boards, but what looked like a weakness in previous seasons in fact isn't a big issue.
he less help in the front court allows the defense to focus more on Tiago, result is lower FG% (still good at 52 and 56%), but he goes to the line more frequently and hit's his FTs on a much improved rate (75%). also his assist numbers improved significantly over the last two seasons.
overall Tiago is more or less the same player like last season, but with an improved overall game.
Nice to hear that his FT's are improving.
I have been seeing the numbers, guys, but what about those things numbers can't see? Like defense for example. Is his defense good, average, below average, excellent, great, elite in his league and the Euroleague? How does he usually play defense?
I would say that he is excellent defender. He plays physical defens, it isn`t easy to score on him. He has great footwork. He can block some shot. He is moving his opponets to mid range jump shots.
Fouls are still a problem for him, but he is still improving, so now he moreoften stays in match endings.
I`m sure he will be a great improvment to Spurs roster. He is a great fit to Duncan and McDyess.
Not sure if anyone saw this, but the other night on NBAtv before the Spus-Clips game, the studio hosts (one of them was Steve Smith) interviewed Sean Elliott.
They mentioned that Tim has been looking for a legit 7-foot sidekick ever since D-Rob retired, and they asked Sean who on this current roster is gonna try and fill that role this year.
Sean, without hesitation, said something along the lines of: "We already have that guy, but unfortunately he plays in Europe. Tiago Splitter is the guy who we hope to team with Duncan starting next year. He's the best big man in Europe right now...."
Anyways, I thought it was interesting to hear Sean talk about Tiago. Hopefully he comes over next year.
Give a Ian a ing chance he's the only other player besides duncan over 6'10 on the roster.
I think I already posted it on this thread, but I think it still holds . . .
I don't think Splitter would come as long as there's the threat of a work stoppage, which just about everyone is certain will happen.
Work stoppage = lost money. And Splitter has proven that despite how he feels about the NBA, and he once felt so good about it he travelled to SA for a press conference, that money is probably the biggest factor in his decisions.
He's not going to pay his own buyout only to risk sitting out without a paycheck for up to an entire season when he can make more money in Spain or Greece.
I'm hoping a 3 year 12 million dollar deal will be enough to bring him over. But may take up to the MLE but I hope he comes over next year.
Splitter is currently the leading scorer for Caja Laboral and the team is second in the standings.
After 16 games his stats look like this.
28.5 Min, 15.4 pts, 54% FGs, 82% FTs, 7.3 Rbs
I expect the spurs to bring splitter over next year and that he will be able start at center from day 1. The guy plays above average defense and has above average passing ability for a big man as well.
Splitter's last game 10/01/2010
http://acb360.orange.es/matches/LACB/54/151
highlights euroleague CSKA Moscow - Caja Laboral
http://acbtv.acb.com/video/2434
Thanks for Scola4!
Welcome btw
The Spurs will be offering Splitter the starting 5 spot and a good chunk, if not all, of the MLE.
Maybe I'm wrong, but the Spurs seem certain he'll be joining the team in the summer. You'd be so nonchalant with a Mahinmi if Splitter was a lock, IMO.
Thanks. Didn't see many plays that involved Splitter - too bad.
Yeah, that would explain what the Spurs have done with Mahinmi. "If we can't re-sign him and he's more of a project player, why play him?" Makes sense, I guess .... as long as Splitter actually signs.
They're definitely planning on him coming here next year. At least, their actions and Lindsey's words during that season-ticket holders meeting earlier in the year would have you believe so.
Looking at the frontcourt rotation moving forward, it's fairly predictable what they're planning and what we should expect to see:
-Duncan
-'Dyess
-Blair
-Bonner
-Splitter
-Vet. free-agent/ draft pick with D-League eligibility
They obviously didn't think he'd warrant minutes above their two younger bigs (Blair and Splitter) and when you throw in Tim and 'Dyess, the minutes just aren't there; with no D-League eligibility or minutes available with the Spurs, Mahinmmi would be left to ride the bench.
A lose-lose for the Spurs and Mahinmi..
they planned on him coming in 08, that didn't work out so well. RC was left stuttering and fumbling for an explanation and had to go to the "he'll be in a good program" card.
Banking on Splitter signing, when Splitter has bailed on the Spurs before and people around the league are swearing that there will be a lockout in summer 2011 is incredibly risky.
It is what it is. Can't say I'm in full agreement with it, but it clearly looks to be their plan moving forward..
Someone is going to get squeezed for minutes if this is in fact how the front court shakes down next season. All of these guys figure to be 16-32 mpg players, but you can't have a five man big rotation, which is why I'm wondering if Splitter signs, if that then leaves Bonner on the outs.
Maybe this was the logic behind the Haislip signing? Looking ahead a year to when Splitter will likely come over (and despite Holt's willingness to pay the tax, you know he wouldn't be against slashing payroll, particularly for a player like Bonner, who's not vital and on talent alone would clearly be fifth on the depth chart).
Haislip, while not the shooter Bonner is, has (albeit this is an extremely small sample size) shown the proclivity to make the three, he's far more athletic and best of all, he's cheap.
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