Splitter hopes to play Saturday

[SenorSpur]

When Splitter returns from his injury, I hope that he stays in the starting lineup. Pop needs to stop fooling around with the lineup as he did last year and stick to one lineup that matches up with playoff teams and develop the bench's chemistry (like Phoenix's bench did).

Blair is not a long-term solution as a starter as he can't match up with the big front lines (LAL). Start Duncan (30mins) and Splitter (30) with Blair rotating in (30 mins. a night playing mostly with Manu). Dice should get spot minutes and Bonner should be glued to the bench as insurance for injury or play only on back to backs.

Yeah, I mentioned the Blair concern in another thread. That is what worries me about him. Even though he been arguably the Spurs best player in the preseason, he's not going to grow any taller - which will be a concern versus the likes of the taller frontlines (Fakers, Blazers and possibly Mavs).

Even if Blair starts alongside Tim to begin the season, it could very well be temporary. However if Pop decides to change the starting lineup and elect to insert Splitter in place of Blair, look for that to happen prior to a regular season matchup with the Fakers - especially if the Spurs are on a losing streak.

[Obstructed_View]

I'm curious how much a world class training staff will help with that as well...

I don't know. Maybe the Spurs will get one soon.

[duncan228]

On Splitter's injury
by Jeff Garcia
Project Spurs

After suffering a strained plantaris muscle in his right calf, San Antonio Spurs' rookie Tiago Splitter will be out of action for up to two weeks. He missed the Spurs' road preseason game in Mexico City against the Los Angeles Clippers and will miss the preseason game in Pittsburgh against the Cleveland Cavaliers as he continues to recover:

Though the initial prognosis for Splitter indicated he would be re-evaluated seven to 10 days after straining the muscle on the third day of training camp, it may be another 10 days to two weeks before he is cleared to play. In all likelihood, he won't be ready to suit up against Caja Laboral, the team he led to the Spanish League le last season. (source Express News)

The immediate health of Splitter should be something the Spurs need to watch closely. Prior to joining the team he was already dealing with a litany of injuries.

During the summer Splitter was injured at the Super Four Basketball tournament in Brazil suffering a left thigh contusion where he sat out the rest of the tournament. Also, days before the 2010 FIBA World Championship he sat out of a tune-up game in France also due to injury. Let's not forget he played in the Spanish Finals this summer with his former team Caja Laboral.

He then joined the Brazilian national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship where he averaged 25 minutes per game and there was a report the Brazilian national team was hiding a leg injury he suffered while in Turkey.

Granted Splitter is young and will be able to bounce back but leading up to joining the Spurs he has had a long offseason and might not be coming in fresh.

However, it is quite possible with little rest in the summer, Spurs fans could hear more news regarding Splitter suffering from nagging injuries once the regular season is underway.

Seems Splitter is the one in need of time to rest more than anyone on the team.

[crc21209]

Damn this guy better be ready to go on Day 1 of the regular season...

[duncan228]

Under-the-radar injuries to watch
Zach Lowe
The Point Forward
SI.com

• Tiago Splitter, San Antonio.

Splitter is a hugely important player this season. The 7-footer, just 25, represents true relief for Tim Duncan. He’s an honest-to-goodness center (unlike DeJuan Blair and Antonio McDyess) capable of spelling Duncan for significant minutes and guarding the true bigs of the league, leaving Duncan to deal with slightly less arduous defensive assignments.

But Splitter’s return date remains unclear as he recovers from an injury to his plantaris muscle. That’s a muscle in your calf that humans no longer use, according to Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News. Splitter may be inactive through the regular-season opener and possibly beyond, officials told Monroe.

The Spurs need their aging core in top condition in May in order to contend. Any prolonged absence from their young rotation players — starting now — hurts the case.

[ShoogarBear]

What a terrible way to refer to coach Pop.

[Solid D]

On Splitter's injury
by Jeff Garcia
Project Spurs

After suffering a strained plantaris muscle in his right calf, San Antonio Spurs' rookie Tiago Splitter will be out of action for up to two weeks. He missed the Spurs' road preseason game in Mexico City against the Los Angeles Clippers and will miss the preseason game in Pittsburgh against the Cleveland Cavaliers as he continues to recover:

Though the initial prognosis for Splitter indicated he would be re-evaluated seven to 10 days after straining the muscle on the third day of training camp, it may be another 10 days to two weeks before he is cleared to play. In all likelihood, he won't be ready to suit up against Caja Laboral, the team he led to the Spanish League le last season. (source Express News)

The immediate health of Splitter should be something the Spurs need to watch closely. Prior to joining the team he was already dealing with a litany of injuries.

During the summer Splitter was injured at the Super Four Basketball tournament in Brazil suffering a left thigh contusion where he sat out the rest of the tournament. Also, days before the 2010 FIBA World Championship he sat out of a tune-up game in France also due to injury. Let's not forget he played in the Spanish Finals this summer with his former team Caja Laboral.

He then joined the Brazilian national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship where he averaged 25 minutes per game and there was a report the Brazilian national team was hiding a leg injury he suffered while in Turkey.

Granted Splitter is young and will be able to bounce back but leading up to joining the Spurs he has had a long offseason and might not be coming in fresh.

However, it is quite possible with little rest in the summer, Spurs fans could hear more news regarding Splitter suffering from nagging injuries once the regular season is underway.

Seems Splitter is the one in need of time to rest more than anyone on the team.

[DAF86]

Same way Manu does every year.

Sevening and Brungy get paid for a reason.

Manu wasn't seen as "injury prone" in Europe.

[Ditty]

let him rest championships aren't won in ocotober and november like we spurs fans should already know that they can already beat alot of teams even without splitter

[crc21209]

Under-the-radar injuries to watch
Zach Lowe
The Point Forward
SI.com

• Tiago Splitter, San Antonio.

Splitter is a hugely important player this season. The 7-footer, just 25, represents true relief for Tim Duncan. He’s an honest-to-goodness center (unlike DeJuan Blair and Antonio McDyess) capable of spelling Duncan for significant minutes and guarding the true bigs of the league, leaving Duncan to deal with slightly less arduous defensive assignments.

But Splitter’s return date remains unclear as he recovers from an injury to his plantaris muscle. That’s a muscle in your calf that humans no longer use, according to Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News. Splitter may be inactive through the regular-season opener and possibly beyond, officials told Monroe.

The Spurs need their aging core in top condition in May in order to contend. Any prolonged absence from their young rotation players — starting now — hurts the case.

WTF?!?! I thought he was only going to be out a week to 2 tops.

[angelbelow]

Awesome news, cant wait!

[ace3g]

JMcDonald_SAEN Jeff McDonald
Pop says Splitter probably physically able to play but, "Popovich is probably going to hold him back." #spurs

[ace3g]

JMcDonald_SAEN Jeff McDonald
Splitter won't play tonight or Sat vs his old mates at Caja Laboral.

JMcDonald_SAEN Jeff McDonald
Splitter's been playing year-round for past decade. Pop: "His body's been talking to him all summer. We're going to make him listen."

[Dex]

JMcDonald_SAEN Jeff McDonald
Pop says Splitter probably physically able to play but, "Popovich is probably going to hold him back." #spurs

Confusing quote by JMac. Is Pop talking in the third person, or is this a quote from somebody else (or McDonald quoting himself?) As a writer, he would be better off not falling into the habit of treating Twitter like the bone yard of the English language.

[jjktkk]

Yeah, I mentioned the Blair concern in another thread. That is what worries me about him. Even though he been arguably the Spurs best player in the preseason, he's not going to grow any taller - which will be a concern versus the likes of the taller frontlines (Fakers, Blazers and possibly Mavs).

Even if Blair starts alongside Tim to begin the season, it could very well be temporary. However if Pop decides to change the starting lineup and elect to insert Splitter in place of Blair, look for that to happen prior to a regular season matchup with the Fakers - especially if the Spurs are on a losing streak.

It wasn't too long ago, that the Spurs had a undersized, energy guy, who gave the Spurs some good toughness off the Bench. Malik Rose anyone? Don't really know if Blair and Rose are all that similar, but they both do have the same pedigree, with Blair posessing a higher ceiling, in terms of overall talent imo.