Former Spur: Tiago Splitter

[Blackjack]

The way I look at it, 'Dyess' minutes will be cut and monitored to keep him fresh and healthy for the long run, and the vet. min./draft pick will be manning the bench or Toros. Bonner will have much the same role he's had to start this year (which is to say, as their best floor-spacer and even situational) while Blair and Splitter will fight for their respective minutes; Duncan is Duncan, we can expect much the same as we're seeing this year (minutes-wise).

Haislip, imo, was nothing more than a flier; ironically enough for his defensive potential. He was their attempt at finding an answer to the 3/4 conundrum, as he had the tools and athleticism, and the hunger to find his way back to the league; taking a flier on a guy who seemingly had all the tools and want-to to be in the league made sense.

Haislip just seems to be one of those zebras whose stripes won't change; this doesn't seem to have the characteristics of S. Jackson-like trajectory (in terms of riding the bench one year and finding the rotation the following).

[TD 21]

The way I look at it, 'Dyess' minutes will be cut and monitored to keep him fresh and healthy for the long run, and the vet. min./draft pick will be manning the bench or Toros. Bonner will have much the same role he's had to start this year (which is to say, as their best floor-spacer and even situational) while Blair and Splitter will fight for their respective minutes; Duncan is Duncan, we can expect much the same as we're seeing this year (minutes-wise).

Haislip, imo, was nothing more than a flier; ironically enough for his defensive potential. He was their attempt at finding an answer to the 3/4 conundrum, as he had the tools and athleticism, and the hunger to find his way back to the league; taking a flier on a guy who seemingly had all the tools and want-to to be in the league made sense.

Haislip just seems to be one of those zebras whose stripes won't change; this doesn't seem to have the characteristics of S. Jackson-like trajectory (in terms of riding the bench one year and finding the rotation the following).

That would be my guess too, but how much more can they be cut? Are the Spurs going to pay McDyess the full mid-level exception next season to possibly sit out one game of each back to back set and only average, say, fifteen minutes per game?

Probably. Maybe, though, the Spurs were looking ahead and felt Haislip could be a cheaper, more athletic Bonner replacement. We can talk about limiting McDyess' minutes to keep him from and healthy for the long run, etc., but at the end of the day the Spurs will face this predicament: five rotation bigs all likely expecting to play at least around twenty minutes per game. If one is gone and Haislip is kept as a cheaper alternative (I'm not advocating this, though), then it clears the minutes breakdown up.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Bourousis just destroyed Splitter.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

http://www.euroleague.net/main/resul...asetypecode=TS

Splitter:

31 minutes

4/10 FG
0/0 3 PT FG
2/4 FT

10 points
6 rebounds
1 assist

1 steal
0 blocks

10 player ranking

Bourousis:

23 minutes

7/12 FG
2/5 3 PT FG
2/2 FT

18 points
11 rebounds
1 assist

1 steal
0 blocks

24 player ranking


Like I say here many times, Bourousis is much better center than Splitter no matter what Spurs managers say.

[will_spurs]

Splitter sidelined by ankle injury

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/show...36#post4047236

[Bruno]

Splitter came back from his injury one week ago. Caja Laboral lost in Euroleague last Thursday and isn't in a good situation in this compe ion. They won their ACB game Sunday against Valencia. Tiago was great, Nando sucked.

Tursday is the start of the "Copa del Rey" tournament. Spurs will have Buford, Lindsey and Crippa in Spain to watch this tournament.

[8FOR!3]

So is there a chance this guy will be playing for the Spurs anytime soon? I don't know much about him, but there's a lot of hype around these boards surrounding him.

[Bruno]

Splitter doesn't play the "Copa del Rey" because he aggravate his ankle injury. He is out for 2-3 weeks. Without him, Caja laboral lost by 28 points against Real Madrid. Caja Laboral has also some troubles in Euroleague and could be eliminated this week.

The bad news about Splitter is that Real Madrid is said to be very interested in him and, unlike Caja Laboral, they have a lot of money:
http://www.noticiasdealava.com/2010/...a-por-splitter

[Brazil]

Splitter doesn't play the "Copa del Rey" because he aggravate his ankle injury. He is out for 2-3 weeks. Without him, Caja laboral lost by 28 points against Real Madrid. Caja Laboral has also some troubles in Euroleague and could be eliminated this week.

The bad news about Splitter is that Real Madrid is said to be very interested in him and, unlike Caja Laboral, they have a lot of money:
http://www.noticiasdealava.com/2010/...a-por-splitter

This splitter story is going to be very difficult, if Real Madrid wants him they will offer a bunch of money ! IMO the SA splitter landing isn't going to be an easy road at all. IMO the SA chances are below 50%

[mountainballer]

no surprise that some European top clubs want him.
no problem either if: Spurs in fact can offer more than the rookie scale (I guess this one has been confirmed) and in fact do it. yes, it might cost the whole MLE.
I really can't see Real match any offer. not because they didn't have the money. but at some point a coach will prefer to get 3 or 4 good players for the money they would trow at one.
however, if the Spurs try to lowball and just offer something in the 2 million region, he will go to Madrid.
the good news: if a coach like Messina wants him badly, it's the best commendation a player can get out of Europe and an indication that he might be in fact worth the money.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

no surprise that some European top clubs want him.
no problem either if: Spurs in fact can offer more than the rookie scale (I guess this one has been confirmed) and in fact do it. yes, it might cost the whole MLE.
I really can't see Real match any offer. not because they didn't have the money. but at some point a coach will prefer to get 3 or 4 good players for the money they would trow at one.
however, if the Spurs try to lowball and just offer something in the 2 million region, he will go to Madrid.
the good news: if a coach like Messina wants him badly, it's the best commendation a player can get out of Europe and an indication that he might be in fact worth the money.

You're spot on about Messina, it's a good indication of where Tiago sits as a player right now.IMO his game will translate easily to the NBA.

Doesn't Tiago have an outrageous buyout for European teams, much higher than his buyout if he's going to the NBA , though? Surely that'd swing the chances in the Spurs favor, unless they lowball him with a ridiculous offer. Besides, it'd be better for him to get an NBA contract before the 2011 new CBA, if he intends to have a long NBA career. Of course he might just be happy in Europe and wouldn't bother too much about the NBA, but this is something that's impossible for us to know, so I'll stick to the facts. And the facts are that his best chance to maximize his earnings is by sighning a 3 year up-to-the-MLE offer from the Spurs now in 2010, with the 3rd year as an option, so by 2012 he'd be in his prime and could sign a pretty hefty long term contract if he plays well.

Sounds logical to me, might be just my wishful thinking though.

[Mel_13]

You're spot on about Messina, it's a good indication of where Tiago sits as a player right now.IMO his game will translate easily to the NBA.

Doesn't Tiago have an outrageous buyout for European teams, much higher than his buyout if he's going to the NBA , though? Surely that'd swing the chances in the Spurs favor, unless they lowball him with a ridiculous offer. Besides, it'd be better for him to get an NBA contract before the 2011 new CBA, if he intends to have a long NBA career. Of course he might just be happy in Europe and wouldn't bother too much about the NBA, but this is something that's impossible for us to know, so I'll stick to the facts. And the facts are that his best chance to maximize his earnings is by sighning a 3 year up-to-the-MLE offer from the Spurs now in 2010, with the 3rd year as an option, so by 2012 he'd be in his prime and could sign a pretty hefty long term contract if he plays well.

Sounds logical to me, might be just my wishful thinking though.

I had the same thought back in October, but Bruno splashed a little cold water on it. From this thread:

One or two more questions. My understanding is that Splitter has an NBA buyout clause. In other words, he pays the specified price and he is free to sign with an NBA team.

Is the same true for a Spanish or Greek team? Is there a fixed number or must the price be negotiated? Is Caja Laboral obligated to release him if a certain price is offered? It seems as if the price would be very steep to let him go to another ACB team.

What was said when he signed his new contract is that he haw two buyouts: one for the NBA and one significantly bigger for another European team.

If Splitter buyout works like the other European buyouts, the buyout number is fixed and Caja Laboral can't keep him if the buyout is paid. There can always have some negotiations to lower the buyout.

Caja Laboral is a small team that made some of its money from selling its players. This summer they sold Prigioni and Vidal to Madrid. Getting the most money with Splitter is maybe more important than not seeing with a rival.

You can imagine a scenario like:
Splitter buyout for the NBA is €1M and is €5M for Europe.
Spurs made an offer to Splitter and so does a top team in Europe.
Splitter then said to Caja Laboral: "Either I go to the NBA and you get €1M or you accept to lower the buyout to another European team at €3M, I sign with them and you get €3M"
IMO, Caja Laboral will make the money choice.

Even if in his contract Splitter's buyout for Europe is ten times higher than for the NBA, it doesn't really matter.

[Bruno]

Caja Laboral has a big win in Russia against Khimki. Their odds to advance to the quarter final stage are now basically 50/50. Javtokas scored 17 points. Former Spur Keith Langford score 27 points for Khimki.

A little interview with Claudio Crippa about Splitter and De Colo:

[yavozerb]

Bruno, who is the guy being interviewed and is he tiago's coach?

[Bruno]

Bruno, who is the guy being interviewed and is he tiago's coach?

Crippa is Spurs' scout for the Europe.

[Ocotillo]

Javtokas scored 17 points.

Ah, message board fodder for the summer.

[Bruno]

End of the Euroleague for Caja Laboral.
They strangely advance to the top 8 where they have been easily dominated by CSKA Moscow. They clearly lack of toughness and experience. Their guards were also really bad.

Splitter has had a difficult series against CSKA. It can be explained by the fact that he just came form an injury and that his teammates sucked.

What's next for Caja Laboral is the Spanish league. I expect them to lose in semi final against Real Madrid. The end of the season for Splitter should be between June 1st and June 4th. His choice for next year should come quickly after that. I'm cautionary optimistic he will choose SA and the NBA.

[benefactor]

Thanks for the update.

[mountainballer]

the good days of Vitoria seem to be over. they still got some nice talent (Teletovic, Eliyahu, Barac), but it doesn't look as if there is enough upside left to keep them in the top tire of Europe and reportedly they won't have the money for big new signings.
so Tiago will leave and it will be between Spurs and likely Real. (can't see Pana or Olympiacos pay the money considering they have young centers on expensive contracts). maybe also Barca.

I'm also pretty optimistic he chooses the Spurs. (in fact I'm more afraid about them lowballing him, than about Real to open a bidding war)

btw. Sasha Kaun played a big game for CSKA. he developed tremendously this season. could turn out that getting his rights from the Thunder for some bucks was a steal for the Cavs.
(he has a contract with CSKA till 2011, with a buyout 2010, worth 900K Euro per, that's something about 1.2 million $)

[Blackjack]

Tiago Splitter’s Adjusted Plus/Minus
by Timothy Varner

European basketball site In the Game is running a long list of APM observations regarding some of Europe’s best players. Regarding San Antonio Spurs draftee Tiago Splitter, they write:

Keep reading →

[Bruno]

26 points and 7 rebounds today for Splitter.

An interesting article about Splitter's future:
http://www.noticiasdealava.com/2010/...-laboral-o-nba

After all what has happened with Splitter, I'm still careful but it looked good.

[Blackjack]

So, from what I gather, they believe he'll either remain with the team or come to the Spurs; the probability he goes to another European team is very unlikely (ITO) and the ball is in the Spurs' court (although the $5M salary might be something they can match or it's not necessarily incentive enough to have him leave -- it gives them hope).

The chances he could be dealt to another team is something they believe to be against them, a la Scola, which does have them concerned.

The fact that I heard the ball's in the Spurs' court and that it will be one of two options (Spurs or Caja), that's at least a little promising; I'll be glad to know when this whole thing is resolved . . .

[angelbelow]

So, from what I gather, they believe he'll either remain with the team or come to the Spurs; the probability he goes to another European team is very unlikely (ITO) and the ball is in the Spurs' court (although the $5M salary might be something they can match or it's not necessarily incentive enough to have him leave -- it gives them hope).

The chances he could be dealt to another team is something they believe to be against them, a la Scola, which does have them concerned.

The fact that I heard the ball's in the Spurs' court and that it will be one of two options (Spurs or Caja), that's at least a little promising; I'll be glad to know when this whole thing is resolved . . .

thanks for the summary and i hope so too.

[Bruno]

The main point of this article is Querejeta (Caja Laboral's boss) saying that they aren't interesting in selling Splitter to another top team in Europe like Madrid.

Splitter is under contract with Caja Laboral until 2012. This summer he has a $1M opt out clause for the NBA and an opt out clause for other European teams that is crazy high (around $10M). What Querejeta is basically saying is that they won't let Splitter goes to another team in Europe for less than huge buyout even if it allowed them to make more money (like $3M).

Saying that, Querejeta is smart like a fox and it could be a trick to get more money from Real. It's also possible that Splitter still told them that he would go in the NBA and it's a PR move to tell that that BB is their first priority and that they will never sell their best player to their main rival for some money.

[Blackjack]

So, basically, it's a whole bunch of nothin' . . .

Well, it might be somethin' but it could very well mean nothin'.

Like I said before, I'll be glad when the whole Splitter situation is resolved.