Quick Grades: Spurs vs. Hornets - Dec. 5

[biskvito]

I'd give Splitter a B easily. I thought he did nice out there, considering his situation. He was never a great rebounder, though he's better at offensive rebound. His thing is good defense, good reading of the game, nice passer, efficient finishing at offense, P&R, he also developed some nice post moves and used a lot in brazilian NT. He's capable of finishing at offense, and he also draws many fouls at the post, as well as take a lot of charges in defense, he doesn't back down from contact and he knows how to make a scene at that, once he gets ref's respect he'll cause some trouble to other teams. But yeah, he's a bit jumpy with his minutes, he's nervous and afraid of making mistakes.

[ManuTastic]

I don't know if just giving him the ball is the right approach. I would like to see more minutes of Splitter because of his defense. If he scores additionally thats great, but not necessary. He will score more efficiently if he plays alonside Tim, Tony and Manu, but we need him on defense first.

Good idea. His defensive abilities, combined with Duncan's loss of same and Blair being an undersized so-so defender, call for Splitter to start next to Duncan. Blair can come off the bench as an energizer. Of course starting Splitter would be situational, and only when the other team has a heavyweight big man to guard and keep off the glass.

I hope that's the long-term plan, anyway.

[polandprzem]

I was expecting to see a B- for Manu (at most)

My thinking exactly

But I'm gonna sit quiet, although I think this years grades

[carina_gino20]

Splitter just needs more minutes with Manu and more consistent playing time to get comfortable with his role. Like many of you, I'm liking what he's showing on the defensive end.

[Fireball]

His defense is okay. Tonight was a great opportunity to see what Splitter can bring to the table should the offense be run through him. Considering the 3rd stringers sans Blair were in there, I would have liked to see what it could look like in a Splitter run offense.

For me, I haven't seen enough of this guy, and I want to see what Splitter is capable of. I am hoping for the best, but putting him out there with the end of the bench players, isn't a good way to figure how he could fit later on in the year.

I totally agree with your last argument, but my point is that there should be no "Splitter run offense" at this point. He just does not have the skill set yet or the experience in the NBA to do that. He needs PnR PGs like Tony and Manu to be involved on offense. To be honest, with TP, Manu, Timmy and RJ on the floor there is no need for big scoring by Tiago. Thats why I would really like him to start instead of Dejuan. But we are 17-3, therefore this will not happen anytime soon. But if we want to compete with the Lakers (Bynum healthy or not), Tiago has a better chance of defending Odom than Blair (see World Championships). In a nuts : Let Tiago play because of his defense !!!

[rjv]

i have no confidence that the hobbit could ever really play any significant time at PG. hopefully all he ever gets is garbage time minutes.

[biskvito]

People saying Tiago doesn't have an offense will be gladly surprised some time in the future. I've seen plenty of refined post moves by Splitter in FIBA besides the P&R, things he couldn't show in NBA yet. I predict in a year or so, when he's consistent and comfortable with NBA he will play a big role in offense too.