The Kori Ellis Show - Today (Jan. 27) @ 10:30 PM CST

[Blackjack]

I like Splitter a lot more than Pachulia. I think Splitter is a legit starting center in the NBA, and would be one of the better ones. That's much better than ZaZa. Pachulia isn't as smart on the court either and contests shots imo clearly less effectively than Splitter.

I like him more than Pachulia, but as far as NBA comparisons go, I view Zaza as a poor man's Splitter.

At best, I view Tiago as a number-two big and an important cog for a front line (a bit like a PJ Brown in his stature in the league but not mirroring in skill set). I do like him, but given his lack of overall physicality and ability to block or rebound shots at a very high rate, I just don't see him as being all that imposing defensively.

Offensively, he's got nice hands and touch around the basket and he's an overall intelligent ball player; pretty nice passer with the ability to facilitate some. He's got good mobility that would serve the Spurs well in the screen and roll game and he's pretty decent at putting the ball on the floor for a straight-line drive. But I don't see him translating as well as Gasol. I know they've often been compared, but Marc is just a bigger, more physical hombre. Tiago will no doubt have success in the league, but unless he ends up playing in an uptempo system with a Nash-like point-guard, I can't see him averaging 17 and 10 (or whatever the numbers are that I've seen posted). I just see him as being a really solid player and contributor; there's been nothing he's shown or great progression I've been able to glean, that tells me he'll be some kind of star or franchise cornerstone.

My bit about the money isn't a variable really. Sister or not . . . the money was a big factor in his decision, if not the factor. Because Tau came to him with the big offer, that was the turning point that had everyone concerned when the news first started to leak out.

I don't know why you feel the need to stress it; I agree. But it wasn't the sole factor and given the cir stances surrounding him, can you honestly say you wouldn't have done or advised someone in the same position to do the same? Family's family and a financial incentive like the one he was presented, well, it seems a no-brainer.

And the lockout concern isn't exclusive to Splitter. Any foreigner whose rights are held will have to factor a stoppage into their decision about coming to the NBA.

I'm fully aware. But if the guy was offered a good chunk of the MLE to come over for a year and had the opportunity to opt-out, as to not lose cash in the process, you've got to believe that'd be enough incentive, right?

Playing in the NBA did seem to be a goal of his and he genuinely seemed excited at the prospect when he was brought over a while back. So, maybe, even if it's just for a year or two, he's looking to come over and scratch that itch? Again, I'm not holding my breath, but there seems to be more reason for optimism, imo, than there has been at any other point.

Maybe it comes down to not spending the MLE, and they haven't always spent all of it. Maybe the Spurs choose to spend that money to re-up Bonner instead like they did in 07 instead of Scola. After all, maybe they talk themselves out of Splitter, and start hyping that Splitter doesn't spread the floor, he doesn't rebound, he demands to start, or any other of the anti-Scola screed people believed. Or maybe they have to use that money on Roger Mason. Maybe the MLE will be so reduced from the cap projections for next year it won't be enough for Splitter regardless.

If that happened to be the case, I think you'd hear the biggest collective headslap in the history of the world from the Spurs' fanbase..

There's so many things going on that I can't reason how anyone could be more than 50/50 on the Spurs chances to sign him other than faith.

So I'm pessimistic. Do I give zero chance that he signs? No, of course not. He could be a Spur next season, and I would be thrilled if he was, provided Pop would play him. I hope he's a Spur. But I'm not counting on it.

Fair take and perfectly reasonable; can't say I differ all that much in the grand scheme of things.

[objective]

I don't know why you feel the need to stress it; I agree. But it wasn't the sole factor and given the cir stances surrounding him, can you honestly say you wouldn't have done or advised someone in the same position to do the same? Family's family and a financial incentive like the one he was presented, well, it seems a no-brainer.

The reason I stress it is that based on publicly available information, the tide turned when Tau came to him with the big offer. His sister had been sick for a long period before that and was even known to posters due to articles. I don't see any way to underplay it, but everything was a-okay until the big offer.

I'm fully aware. But if the guy was offered a good chunk of the MLE to come over for a year and had the opportunity to opt-out, as to not lose cash in the process, you've got to believe that'd be enough incentive, right?

I don't think that's seems plausible as an incentive. One I don't think there would be an opt-out after only a year, that would be bad for the Spurs, so it would be a minimum of a two-year deal unless he would be asking for a release . . . but the Spurs wouldn't do it if he played well in 2011.

So the way I see it . . . Splitter has 2 guaranteed years with Caja if he doesn't come to the NBA. He could be presented by his agent and by Caja with the scenario that :

Stay here for two more years. Let the NBA settle their contract dispute. Make a lot of money and stay in the same place you've called home since you were 15 years old. The NBA will still be there in 2012, you'll still only be 27 that summer. The same age Luis Scola was as a rookie, and he's had a great career!

That honestly sounds like a reasonable course of action; Caja could extend him past 2012 but still give him an NBA opt out in 2012.

[Blackjack]

The reason I stress it is that based on publicly available information, the tide turned when Tau came to him with the big offer. His sister had been sick for a long period before that and was even known to posters due to articles. I don't see any way to underplay it, but everything was a-okay until the big offer.

You may be right, I have no way of knowing for sure. But given the cir stance, I put myself in his shoes and gave him the benefit of a doubt; whether that was foolish, remains to be seen. I have no idea if something changed in him or his sister that happened to coincide around the same time of the Tau offer, or if Tau's offer was the sole and/or driving-force that prevented him from coming over.

I don't think that's seems plausible as an incentive. One I don't think there would be an opt-out after only a year, that would be bad for the Spurs, so it would be a minimum of a two-year deal unless he would be asking for a release . . . but the Spurs wouldn't do it if he played well in 2011.

I'm not sure the Spurs would feel they had a choice, given the immediacy of the times; getting him here with Tim, as soon as possible, would seem to provide an impetus like never before. I agree this would be a departure from the norm and something the Spurs would never venture to do, but them acquiescing, in these current times, might be in their best interests (if getting another ring for Tim is really the goal and driving-force in the front office).

So the way I see it . . . Splitter has 2 guaranteed years with Caja if he doesn't come to the NBA. He could be presented by his agent and by Caja with the scenario that :

Stay here for two more years. Let the NBA settle their contract dispute. Make a lot of money and stay in the same place you've called home since you were 15 years old. The NBA will still be there in 2012, you'll still only be 27 that summer. The same age Luis Scola was as a rookie, and he's had a great career!

That honestly sounds like a reasonable course of action; Caja could extend him past 2012 but still give him an NBA opt out in 2012.

Logical. The question I have is, what would be the discrepancy in pay if he were to get an offer for the bulk of the MLE? How much is he making yearly? If the Spurs did go against the grain (in a short-sighted, win-now effort) and gave him a one or two-year deal with an opt-out, what would be the harm in coming over, getting paid better or comparably and heading back over should he feel the need to; Surely there'd be another lucrative deal waiting upon his return from a club..

Again, I know the guy's skill set and make-up on the court, but I know little-to-nothing about the type of person he is; the idea of playing with Tim and having a chance to win an NBA Championship would seem to be a carrot for most. But maybe he's interested in nothing but cash and playing time, so coming over when there's little-to-know compe ion is something that's more appealing to him; not exactly Spurs material if that's the case..

I can't say the scenario you present doesn't make sense or isn't even the one I'd bet on if forced to choose, but, as a Spurs fan, I'm hoping the guy has the type of character and want-to to make the decision to come over.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Bourousis just destroyed Splitter in Euroleague game. I will like to talk about this in show. When will this be on in earlier time?

[polandprzem]

You can listen live to the show here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/spursta...s-show--jan-27

To call in: (347) 637-3015

Post questions and/or comments in this thread after the game and Kwoww will respond on air. Best question/comment gets a prize

Anybody got a prize?

[Allanon]

I listened to the previous broadcast recording...tlong was actually pretty good

[mouse]

Still waiting for the prepaid cell phone!