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Tiago is in the all Euroleague second team:
http://www.euroleague.net/final-four...e-team-2009-10
He is the only one among the 10 players in an all Euroleague team whose team hasn't reached the final 4. Props to him.
Hope Splitter cames, that's probably the last time he could effectively contribute to a contender SA team...
An intersting part of that article was Minnesota signing Pekovic...
Next year, if they have a good off season, they could be scary just like OKC : Pekovic is a beast
Tiago is in the all Euroleague second team:
http://www.euroleague.net/final-four...e-team-2009-10
He is the only one among the 10 players in an all Euroleague team whose team hasn't reached the final 4. Props to him.
http://acbtv.acb.com/video/2869
Tiago: 32 minutes, 13 pts (6-11), 7 rbs, 4 assists
he has the strangest looking hook shot....
Yeah, it's not the typical hook shot. I'm not sure how to explain it but it looks like a half hook shot.
But it worksI love his post moves. Definately potentially looks like someone who could be good enough down low to carry the spurs against bad teams and let Duncan sit out.
So why did Tiago get 2nd place because of a rookie?
His length and mobility would make him a great option on Gasol and player of his ilk. He should be the no. 1 priority this off-season if the team really wants to continue being a contender.
Would it be an overstatement to suggest Tiago Splitter would be Tim Duncan's best frontcourt mate since David Robinson? At only 25 years old, he's already regarded as the best big man in Europe, and bringing him over would seem to address a lot of the Spurs' weaknesses.
For one, he's 7 feet tall and his wingspan at 7"2 is just an inch shy of Tim Duncan's. His size and length contribute to his phenomenal shot blocking prowess which has him among the league leaders in the Euroleague and it would give us that "twin towers" combination we haven't had since 2003, consequently greatly improving how well we match-up with other potent frontcourts in the league like that of the Los Angeles Lakers'.
DraftExpress also seems at least somewhat impressed with his mobility, which would theoretically give us another option on the Dirk Nowitzkis of the world and would render Matt Bonner, currently our most mobile big, expendable in this department. This is especially worth noting when one considers that Bonner, though widely regarded as one of the worst individual defenders on the team, is usually placed on a lot of opposing teams' top scoring options (including the aforementioned Nowitzki) because of otherwise prevalent match-up issues.
Offensively, his size, strength, length, nimble feet, high basketball IQ, and effective, if unorthodox jump hook all assimilate to give the Spurs one incredible low post scorer, an aspect of the offense that the team has sorely lacked outside of our franchise big man. Oh, and he can also put the ball on the floor and finish strong at the rim. How many of our big men can do that?
Granted, as R.C. has reiterated time and again, he has yet to play a single minute against NBA compe ion so it remains to be seen if his game can translate into the NBA level. As such, it would be highly preposterous to view him as some franchise savior that'll eventually replace Tim Duncan.
All in all though, I'm pretty high on Splitter and I remain cautiously optimistic that by next season, we'll be seeing him donning the silver and black.
Last edited by Uriel; 05-13-2010 at 12:03 AM.
Yet, something the Spurs front-office doesn't mention is how well Tiago plays with and against NBA-level compe ion in international tournaments. Splitter is arguably the best player on the Brazilian national team and has played extremely well against team U.S.A. I remember how well he battled Dwight and Amar'e in the tournament of Americas in '07 tournament three years ago.
Last edited by J_Paco; 05-13-2010 at 12:20 AM.
I haven't really seen much of Splitter against Team USA, but that is how I made my judgment on Scola during the World Championships 02. He was awesome in the post against Team USA with those up and under moves, and I was like "the Spurs have another great player from the draft"
I wasn't a big fan before 06, so I have no clue how great Rasho or Nazr really were. From what I've read in this forum, Nazr seemed to be the bees knees overall, besides having butter fingers. And Rasho seemed solid, only showing his true skills when Duncan was not on the court too.
Can others confirm he is great at blocks? I believe you Uriel, I'm just paranoid that he might be a "Camby stat padder" (meaning he goes for blocks even if he leaves his man alone at the rim)? Or if the guards on his team can't defend for , so he has an unusually high number of chances to reject shots? That 2nd one isn't so bad, after I typed it out. I have read here he is superb on D, I just never here anything about his blocks. Hope they’re supposed to be higher in the NBA like rebounds.For one, he's 7 feet tall and his wingspan at 7"2 is just an inch shy of Tim Duncan's. His size and length contribute to his phenomenal shot blocking prowess which has him among the league leaders in the Euroleague and it would give us that "twin towers" combination we haven't had since 2003, consequently greatly improving how well we match-up with other potent frontcourts in the league like that of the Los Angeles Lakers'.
Bonner being the most mobile big is a questionable asset, can drive (only drives and scores in the reg season), considering he can’t block, rebound, spread the floor when it counts, or anything else for that matter. I’d take Dice at 35 over Bonner at 28, because he has a feel for D. People who try to defend by sticking their hand up don’t have that “feel”.DraftExpress also seems at least somewhat impressed with his mobility, which would theoretically give us another option on the Dirk Nowitzkis of the world and would render Matt Bonner, currently our most mobile big, expendable in this department. This is especially worth noting when one considers that Bonner, though widely regarded as one of the worst individual defenders on the team, is usually placed on a lot of opposing teams' top scoring options (including the aforementioned Nowitzki) because of otherwise prevalent match-up issues.
Mahinmi? Jk, he needs the French connection to get to the rim, or a fast break. Does he have variety in his O game? Besides half hooks and drives.Offensively, his size, strength, length, nimble feet, high basketball IQ, and effective, if unorthodox jump hook all assimilate to give the Spurs one incredible low post scorer, an aspect of the offense that the team has sorely lacked outside our franchise big man. Oh, and he can also put the ball on the floor and finish strong at the rim. How many of our big men can do that?
If he comes over and fails miserably to compensate for the different rules and his reduced role, then timvp will have to changeGranted, as R.C. has reiterated time and again, he has yet to play a single minute against NBA compe ion so it remains to be seen if his game can translate into the NBA level. As such, it would be preposterous to view him as some franchise savior that'll eventually replace Tim Duncan. All in all though, I'm pretty high on :Tiago: and I remain cautiously optimistic that by next season, we'll be seeing him donning the silver and black.to a smiley where someone fails horribly.
And can anyone answer why a rookie was considered a better center? I don’t get it, Tiago is supposedly the best non-NBA player on the planet, he shouldn’t be 2nd. Unless the fans voted.
Last edited by Manufan909; 05-13-2010 at 02:05 AM.
Great to hear. Hope he is up to battling bigs of that quality 30-40x a year (prob closer to 50 if the Spurs go deep in the POs).
First, Tiago has had a difficult Euroleague season. He missed a lot of big games because of a foot injury and had few bad games either because he wasn't 100% healthy or because it was just bad games.
Second, team success is very important when they decide who will be in the all Euroleague team. This year, Splitter is the only player on an Euroleague team whose team hasn't reach the final 4. Caja Laboral not reaching the final 4 has hurt Splitter chances to make the first team.
It was logical that Maric was in the first Euroleague team ahead of Tiago but Splitter is a better player than him. I don't know if he is the best non-NBA player on the planet. Comparing a PF/C with a PG or a SG is almost impossible to do but I think Splitter is the best at his spot outside the NBA.
Bruno one of these days I'd love to see you do a complete breakdown of splitter his game weaknesses and strengths and what his cieling is and at best who he compares to and who realisticly he will or can be compared to.
Damn Ericb, who do you think you are giving out hw???
But that would be awesome if you could do all that though, Bruno.
Damn Ericb, who do you think you are giving out hw???
But that would be awesome if you could do all that though, Bruno.
Here we go:
Offense:
The bulk of Tiago offense is in the post. He isn't some kind of physical beast or a player with awesome low post skills but he is very effective in that area. He is very aggressive but is still patient and plays under control. Add to that a good combination of length/quickness with some very solid post moves and you have one of the best low post scorer outside the NBA.
Another big part of his offense is the pick and roll. He is a very active at setting screens. He rolls well to the basket and has good hands to catch the ball. He is good finisher around the basket with a surprisingly good body control for a player that big. He isn't a that great finisher at the rim because he lacks of explosiveness and strength but he can compensate that with some hesitation moves.
Given his aggressive game, he often goes to the line. He has improved his FT shooting these past years to be a decent FT shooter. I can see him being a 70% FT shooter in the NBA. For a player of his size, there is nothing to complain about.
IMO, the key of his success in the NBA on the offensive end will be his mid range jump-shoot. In Europe, he rarely shoot them but is will be different in he NBA: scoring in the post won't be as easy and there will be there a certain Tim Duncan. He will need to work a lot on it but there are some hopes since he still has a good form. A reliable mid range jump shoot could be what separate Splitter from being good to being great.
The rest of his offensive game isn't really noteworthy. He is an adequate passer, he runs well the floor, facing up the basket is a very marginal and undeveloped part of his game.
Defense:
The biggest quality of Splitter in that end is his versatility. He can be matched up against a low post scorer or against a more perimeter oriented player. In the post he isn't afraid of the contact and isn't a soft player. He surely won't be able to defend behemoth because of his lack of weight but he should do a good job against a lot of players. On the perimeter, he has a good lateral quickness for a 7 footer. He also doesn't look like lost when he is away from the basket. I had no problems seeing him defending players like Nowiztki.
Splitter also plays smart defense. He plays a lot under control and doesn't bite a lot at fakes. With Caja Laboral, he is the anchor of both the defense and the offense. He does a great job at playing defense without grabbing fouls. He will surely need some times to adjust to NBA refs but he should be a quick adaptation.
Splitter is a solid rebounder. There isn't really more to say about him in that area. When I look him playing in Europe, I rarely said to myself "he should have grabbed that rebound" or "what an amazing rebound by Tiago". I don't think rebounding will a strength or a weakness for him. He will do his part of his job in that area.
Tiago's help defense shouldn't also be a problem. He isn't a player who will block tons of shoot but he should do the right rotations and be at the right spot on the defensive end.
I fully expect Tiago to be a very solid defensive player. He won't be a dominant player, who can be the anchor of a NBA paint defense, but he should be a very good complimentary player. A Duncan/Splitter frontcourt should works damn well on the defensive end.
Conclusion:
After 2008 and Splitter ing Spurs, you had to be careful with him but it's hard not to be excited by what he could bring to Spurs. He is 25 years old, he is the best bigman outside the NBA, the NBA transition shouldn't be too complicate for him and he has played more than 400 games at a high level (Spanish league + Euroleague + Brazilian NT). If he doesn't sign with Spurs this summer, it will be a disaster and the end of the last ray of hope to see Spurs being relevant again in the near future.
It's always difficult to compare players to other. Every player is different. On the offensive end, I would say Nick Collison as worst case and Brook Lopez as best case. On the defensive end, maybe Jeff Foster (the young version).
Splitter is on the Spanish league first team:
http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=67348
He also deserves to be the MVP. We will see if Spanish guys go with him or make a homer pick with Navarro.
Thanks for your insight, Bruno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1NM8vXWOdE
This video is a week old...and it has me drooling. Pay attention to the number Splitter wears, because in these clips Splitter reminds me of the prime years of another player who also wears that number...
thanks for the breakdown. very good work.
I like to add a point about his offense. his ballhandling and dribble should be far above the average NBA big man. he doesn't have good range, but he certainly can take his defender of the dribble when operating outside the paint. combine this with nice passing skills and he will cause problems to any defense, even if they don't have to fear his jumper.
What, no KBP?
Nice video. He seems to be pretty comfortable in the post. That is a real good sign.
Someone compared him to David Andersen of the Rockets. I haven't seen a lot of Andersen but I don't see the comparison. Splitter spends most of his time in the paint and Andersen likes to step outside and shoot the 3.
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