Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Body
I wish he kept those in play instead of volleyball ing them, but they're still blocks.
That has been one of my pet peeves about shot blocking in today's NBA. A block is a block but if you control it rather than send it into the 3rd row then you have an extra possession you wouldn't have had otherwise. I'll always remember Bill Russell's admonishment towards current NBA players about that. He thought it foolish to be a "man" by volleyballing it into the cheap seats when you could be a better player and teammate by gaining possession of the rock. I remember him blocking shots by tipping the ball softly, gaining possession and starting the famous Boston fast break when I was a kid back in the '60s. Makes sense to me.

Quote Originally Posted by yavozerb
My assesment of tiago splitter:

Offense- above average with back to the basket and does not seem to have much of face up game. He has very quick feet and seems to always be in control. Does not mind the body contact and is shooting his free throws pretty good this season (65-70%).

Defense- excellent at staying in between his man and the basket thanks to his quick feet. From the games I have seen he does not seem to go for most pump fakes and simply bodies up his opponent with hands up making them shoot over his 7ft frame. Average shot blocker at best.

Passing- above average passer and has very good hands to recieve passes down low in tight spaces. Does very well in pick and roll plays since he is very quick for his size. Solid at setting screens all over the court.

Overall- I believe his game well translate very well to the NBA. I am very excited see him in the pick and roll with manu and think those 2 will drive some teams crazy if they get the opportunity. I believe his defense will be his main contribution in his first season and most of his offense coming from broken plays and put backs. Not sure how he and TD will work on the offensive end since both like to play down low and back their oppenents back to the basket. The best player I have heard him compared to is Verajao with both having the quickness at the 5 with limited offense to work with (although tiago is much better down low with the ball than verajao and not as good outside).
Nice assessment. Thanks for your input!

Offensively: So what's your opinion about his ability to play high/low like TD and Drob/Rasho did?

And from your assessment it seems that he could use Chip's help in hitting the 10-15 ft J. That would help spread the paint for TD IMHO. AMybe this is contingent with the above issue? If he can't then maybe no H/L until he can?

Defensively: Do you think the Spurs can get back to the twin towers concept on D which we had with Drob/ Rasho/Nazr? I've missed that kind of D since our last ring in '07. This also would give TD less contact at the 4 rather than when he plays predominately at the 5.

Passsing: Agreed. I remember watching him play in Vegas during the FIBA tournament back in '08 and saw some slick passes from him. Was impressed with his ability to hit the player on the move with precision. And with that ability you are correct in saying the P/R will be a bread and butter play for him and Manu. That play is going to drive opposing coaches crazy since from what I've been able to see from Tiago he isn't careless with the ball and has a high BBIQ.