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duncan was foul prone in FIBA play too.
duncan was foul prone in FIBA play too.
But the fact is the Americans didn't fold. Led by Bryant, the U.S. completely shut down Brazil's attack, holding FIBA's 17th-ranked team to 39.1 percent shooting. Nene finished with eight points while botching a layup attempt and finding himself totally out of position on several plays. One of Brazil's few bright spots was the continued solid play of Tiago Splitter, who scored 12 points (on 60 percent shooting) and seemed unfazed by the size and skill of his American counterparts.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html
Tiago Splitter!
Duncan got a foul during warmups for an illegal pick. Not exactly the same thing.
I've been reading that Splitter has been fairly injury prone during his career thus far. Can anybody with a longer history of following the Brazilian give us some more info on that aspect of his career? Is he a guy that we're going to have to be worried about missing games every year?
Tiago quotes about the game with the USA
http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas...s_quotDay.html
-------------TIAGO SPLITTER, BRAZIL
Do you think that your efforts today serve as a credential for your selection in the NBA draft?
I think that my performance today was not anything out of this world. I simply did my job. Some of our plays today depended on me and I tried to simply do my best either making shoots or defending. I think the most important thing is the team as coach said. Today we could not win as the other team played a better game, but we will continue to work towards our overall goal.
What was your biggest challenge for today against team USA?
They have very talented players. Their defense is very complicated as they often make changes, which it became a challenge for us. In a way we were able to balance the game at first, but their offensive strategy with the three-pointers was the problem.
I was asleep and missed the game, but tonight Brazil lost to Puerto Rico 97-75
Splitter had
34 minutes
15 points (6-11 fg, 3-4 ft)
11 rebounds (5 off)
2 assists
1 block
1 steal
2 fouls
4 turnovers
Watching the replay now online
Damn, I knew Barbosa was selfish, but this is ridiculous. End of the 1st quarter he had a two on one with Splitter for an easy dumpoff or alley oop for a Splitter dunk, refused to pass, and went in for a contested layup which he missed and the quarter ended while Splitter was fighting for the rebound.
Notice that the Brazil coach has Splitter way out beyond the 3 pt arc most of the time, presumably for a high pick and roll--but the Brazil guards, especially Barbosa simply won't give him the ball and run that play like they did successfully early in the game .
That's true. every time he went for a high pick and roll he didn't have the ball.
Brazil team is terrible coached. Leandro is a selfish player, Nene is fat. I fell bad for good guys like Tiago and Alex but they deserve to lose in this tournament.
Brazil need major changes in their basketball system
That type of poor decision-making is likely the reason the Suns have never completely trusted him (Barbosa) as their exclusive backup PG. Recall that he made many a poor decision with shot selection during the playoff series versus the Spurs.
I do agree with others who have suggested his play in this tournament is the result of poor coaching.
Last edited by SenorSpur; 08-28-2007 at 05:59 PM.
Tiago fumbles ball too much when Brazil play Pick-and-Roll. Bad hands. So the guards hesitate to pass. And he have a bad, flat jumper so Pick-and-Pop is a sorry option, too. For now, Tiago is a garbage/clean up man.
Set screens, go get the rebounds for his points.
I guess you have not seen any games during the tourney cause he is constantly taking his man off the dribble as far as the 3 pt line..Tiago's hands are not great, but the passes that have beem made to him have mostly been horrible (look who is PG for Brazil). He is a good player now, but I agree with you on his shooting, but this can be worked on since heis only 22 years of age.
He's a great guy and seems to be a pretty good potential role player. He's young but has some mileage since he's been playing professionally since he was 15. Down here in Brazil I'm disappointed in Brazil's loss to Puerto Rico last night, which might prove very costly, but am enjoying following Splitter and my good buddies Valtinho and Alex.
Since you know Alex, how is he physically>I heard he'd been injured, but he looked very fast on a couple of drives to the hoop.
Splitter: “We need to pass the ball”
After yesterday loss Tiago Splitter said the offensive system is the team main concern in the tournament:
“We need to pass the ball. That’s what’s missing in our offense. We need to help each other more”
Splitter also said that a team meeting happened after the game to players tell each other face what they’re thinking.
http://esporte.uol.com.br/basquete/u...t4356u857.jhtm
The beauty of Splitter's game is he is accomplishing so much without the ball. The Brazil guards are the foulest passers in the tournament. I have watched all of Brazil's games and Tiago has shown great court vision and when given a pass that is within reach has closed well to the basket.
This guy is much more than a garbage clean up man. I will admit that cleaning up is a lost art in the NBA and his lust for offensive rebounds makes Tiago very production. However, garbage emplies that he gets on the floor for garbage minutes when the game is out of hand. Splitter is by no means a garbage player.
I expect when our shooting coach gets hold of Splitter's shot, his shot will vastly improve. Remember how we use to cringe every time Tony took a jump shot?
Barbosa may have the highest ratio of talent to brains in the league, and that ain't because of his talent. It's amazing to me that the Suns have gone so long without a real backup point guard for Nash.
The ideal situation would be to refine Splitter's high post skills. A high post/low post combo of Splitter/Duncan would be formidable. If a respectable 3 point shot could be added to his repertoire (he has shown the beginnings of one in the past with the Brazilian NT) then he would be perfect.
This is an excellent observation and it reminds me of the Drob/TD days when we had that very comboination. Combine that with Splitter's passing skills and his willingness to crash the boards would just make us even more difficult to beat. But I would first want him to develop that mid range shot rather than the 3 point one IMO.
Splitter's passing skills are remarkable for a big man.
I'm not saying he's Vlade, but with his passing skills he might be the best passer (certainly most willing) on the Brazillian national team. He's really sharp and aware on the offensive end.
Sounds like Splitter is a better passer than even Barbosa is.
He certainly isn't as selfish as Barbosa.
-----------
Brazil plays Mexico tonight at 7:30 central.
I don't know how much Splitter plays, after playing 4 days in a row already and lodging 34 minutes last night.
...and the whiny Suns fans wonder why they've not won a le. They've got talent - no doubt. However aside from Nash, they've got a fairly large contingent of selfish ball players who always seem to think "me" first. I'm talking about Stoudamire, Marion and Barbosa. No doubt that Nash has probably one of the toughest jobs in basketball - keeping these whiny mouths fed night after night.
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