Splitter Watch (DraftExpress Blog)

[objective]

Spurs brass needs to fly over to Spain prior to 2010 and have a heart to heart with this guy.

...

All I am saying is just don't sit here in San Antonio crossing your fingers hoping he comes over. Get Manu, Tim and Tony on a plane with Pop and R.C. and go sell this guy.

Won't happen, ever.

Spurs didn't send any of their big brass to Spain last year when basically the future of the franchise (legit starting center at 1 million a year!) was hanging in the balance. RC didn't go. Pop didn't go. Lindsey didn't go. Pop sort of has an excuse, the Spurs were eliminated I believe 2-3 days before Splitter re-signing news broke, and there's things to do.

Portland according to accounts at the time sent over all their big brass to get on their knees and court Rudy Fernandez . . . it worked.

Spurs and Splitter? Only account I remember was that while Splitter was getting worked on 24-7 by Tau the Spurs had some low-level intern/semi-scout representative there on the side. When Splitter needed to be given attention as reasonable for a star athlete being asked to take a large paycut, the Spurs treated him the way they do crusty old broken down veterans: we want you, but we don't need you, no promises. That works great with twilighters chasing a ring like Finley, not so much with young studs.

Why RC was sitting around watching the Spurs get slapped about by the Lakers instead of marching in basque country pleading with Splitter and massaging his ego and telling him that if he plays as a Spur the way he did with Tau then he's a starter no doubt . . . I don't know.

Pop can go out of his way from a coach-clinic tour to find Rasho Nesterovic in the Slovenian mists and give him the face-to-face (which worked unfortunately), but a gem like Splitter gets nothing.

[Ocotillo]

That's my point. I personally am in sales and you don't get squat unless you ask for it.

[Agloco]

with the dollar rebounding against the euro, he likely would have made more a lot more money in the long run if he had come over this year and gotten through his rookie deal ASAP.

of course, if he's happy there, he's got the bird in the hand money + that situation with his family, so it's not necessarily apples and apples.

Short term gains to be sure. Our new "conjure a trillion dollars out of thin air" stimulus package and the current rate of government spending tell me that this might have been a serendipitous event for Splitter, much to the agony of Spurs fans.

Judging from his last comment, I don't expect to see him until Timmys career is well into it's twilight.

[temujin]

Europe has entire freaking countries defaulting.

Ireland?

It'll be given back to the brits.

Austria?

Taken up by the germans for good.

what else?
Greece?
What's that?

Dollar is relative strong, will suck but Euro will suck more. EU countries are already squabbling and per usual will look to cover their own asses. By the time this is over the EU will likely be a footnote in history. And like moutainballer said, I'm sure Germany can't wait to bail Greek basketball out.

Wishful thinking.

[intlspurshk]

the recession has already arrived here in Europe and we will struggle as much as the states. there is kind of a hit list, which countries will fold first and many predictions go like Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain....
however, either Greece and Spain will be hit badly and rather sooner than later.
how much this effects the teams will be seen and depends also much on the business of the owners.
look at Tau, the team of Splitter. the company of Tau ceramica is one of the largest producers of all kinds of ceramic products for bathrooms and kitchens and ceramic tiles for floors. the break down of the real estate market in Spain will very likely hit them hard. for sure this will affect the team. point is, even if they still could somehow afford to run the team, it is almost impossible to see the management fire hundreds or thousands of employees and still run one of the most expensive basketball teams in Europe.

and we must not forget that the self-financing rate (don't know if this is the right term) of European basketball teams are much lower than for example the case with soccer teams. (talking about tickets and TV payments). there has to be much more money coming from owners and sponsors. and this pool will dry out quickly in times of recession.

That's good news if TAU "will" be in financial troubles. But NBA also needs urgent financing and making me worries that SPURS is one of the 15 teams that requires financing to survive.

BTW, Spain and Greece will certainly be hard hit by the financial crisis but eastern europe will be the first group of victim. The breakdown of EU is a real threat. I hope SPURS can take advantage of the financial crisis but I seriously doubt SA is in relatively good financial position. I really doubt SPURS can sign any MLE contracts in the offseason and hence signing Rasheed may be a pipe dream.

SPURS may just sign James Gist or other D league players and see how the CBA and 2010 plan works out. I do wish SPURS can sign Ariza or the backup center in Magic for a contract like Mason.

Could SPURS steal a Europe top player? I say forget it unless some teams in Europe just go bankrupt. SPURS cannot afford any compensation to players' club to allow its player to opt out and match the player's expectation on salary at the same time. And Europe players will not take the risk given US is in a such terrible economy.

I do hope some teams will steal Ariza from Lakers though.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Splitter is primarily a low post player, showing an excellent assortment of footwork and spin-moves with his back to the basket, and a very effective jump-hook he can shoot with either hand. He is a little bit old school in that aspect, really putting pressure on his defender to hold his ground as he backs him down aggressively, which draws him quite a few fouls.

Sounds like my post game!

After a few years on the shelf due to bad ankles, I've started playing 'ball again at age 34. In the intervening period, I've been working out, and have gone from 93kg to 100kg without losing any quickness, while I've also improved my midrange jumper.

Basically, right now, I'm unstoppable (playing guys at a similar level). If you are smaller than me I will take you into the post and score over you with a variety of drop-steps, hooks (both hands) and spin moves, and if you are bigger I'll step outside and drain 15fters until you have to come out on me, then I'll drive it down your throat.

Yesterday I player a guy who was my height (6'7"), but about 20kgs heavier (all muscle). I took him outside and knocked down 2 Js, then drove on his arse until he begged for mercy. In 3 games to 11 I scored 14pts on him, and he didn't score one on me.

Feels good to be back kickin arse and takin' names again!

Talking to Splitter after the final, he seemed non-committal at best when the topic was broached, although it’s pretty clear that he would love to play in the NBA. “Right now it’s the middle of the season and I’m only thinking about Tau. The Spurs have some good players and we’ll have to see what happens.” In response to my question about whether his slot on the Rookie scale might impact his decision, Splitter obviously didn’t seem too happy with his predicament, jokingly asking me if I could “talk to David Stern about that.” He reiterated that “it’s a dream to play in the NBA,” stating “I’m still young, and for sure I want to play there”, but said that “we’ll see what happens when my contract is up in two years.”

Splitter to "replace" Duncan in 2012? Maybe by then the NBA will have worked out something with the rookie pay scales for internationals like Splitter caught in this bind.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

I have my friend make video clip for him in youtube since all idiots here keep say he is a joke and a scrub and cannot play in NBA. I keep try tell everyone here he is free agent and he is one Spurs need to get.

Forget Splitter. Bourousis is available and is even more talented player.

Click on bottom right corner of video on icon where it says HQ for the better quality version

[mystargtr34]

Sounds like my post game!

After a few years on the shelf due to bad ankles, I've started playing 'ball again at age 34. In the intervening period, I've been working out, and have gone from 93kg to 100kg without losing any quickness, while I've also improved my midrange jumper.

Basically, right now, I'm unstoppable (playing guys at a similar level). If you are smaller than me I will take you into the post and score over you with a variety of drop-steps, hooks (both hands) and spin moves, and if you are bigger I'll step outside and drain 15fters until you have to come out on me, then I'll drive it down your throat.

Yesterday I player a guy who was my height (6'7"), but about 20kgs heavier (all muscle). I took him outside and knocked down 2 Js, then drove on his arse until he begged for mercy. In 3 games to 11 I scored 14pts on him, and he didn't score one on me.

Feels good to be back kickin arse and takin' names again!

2K9 or Live?