Tiago Splitter to pick between Tau and Spurs soon

[jcrod]

Thanks for the translations



Hopefully this isn't the deciding factor. Pop never guarantees minutes or roles so if that's what Splitter wants, he's not going to get it in SA.

He seems genuinely torn. The quotes read as if he's leaning toward Tau but you the Spurs at least still have a chance.

I believe i read it wrong and leaning towards wht JPB put down.

They tell me their Coach, Pop, is usually very selective with Rookies.

It can mean either he's very high on certain rookies and likes you if he wants you now, or that he doesn't play them many minutes.

[timvp]

My guess at the Splitter time line:

Last Summer - Splitter was truthfully happy that the Spurs picked him. He also thought he'd spend one more year at Tau and then cross the pond. At Tau, Splitter's contract at the time was peanuts and he was in Scola's shadowed.

Earlier this year - Tau offers Splitter a bigger contract. Splitter turns it down. This was around the time Splitter reiterated his future as a Spur.

A week ago - Tau offers Splitter more money, less years and gives him easier outs to the NBA. They sell Splitter on how much more he can make compared to the NBA and how it'd be easy to make the jump after year one or year two due to the lowered buyout. Also by now, Splitter was viewed as a hero and the team's best player. He became a team leader and basically took over all the spotlight Scola used to get. After contemplating everything, Splitter decided to stay with Tau.

Five days ago - The Spurs get wind of Splitter's decision and then up their pressure in trying to get him to come over. They tell him it's now or never. Maybe they e up the offer as best they could (promise to pick up or decline option years). Splitter, now faced with a now or never proposition, has to re-think everything.

Now here we are. Splitter has a tough decision on his hands. What will the next move be? I'm sure Tau will try to up their offer even more. Will the Spurs respond by promising him a chance to start or play extended minutes? Doubtful ... then again, the Spurs really can't let Splitter get away so they may venture into unchartered territory and promise him something.

[milkyway21]

Ian Mahinmi & Tiago Splitter + TP

led by Duncan & Manu

Bowen & Ime on defense

wow

[JPB]

Thanks for the translations



Hopefully this isn't the deciding factor. Pop never guarantees minutes or roles so if that's what Splitter wants, he's not going to get it in SA.

He seems genuinely torn. The quotes read as if he's leaning toward Tau but you the Spurs at least still have a chance.

-¿Qué le dice la otra parte, San Antonio?
-San Antonio me quiere ya ahí. Tampoco me pueden describir mi rol, pero sí me dicen que su entrenador, Popovich, suele tener muy apartados a los novatos. Eso es algo que debo tener en cuenta.

The important thing in that quote is that Tiago is clearly reffering to Pop keeping new guys out of things.

[jcrod]

Did anybody notice the date of the article. 5/6/08. A month ago.

[timvp]

Did anybody notice the date of the article. 5/6/08. A month ago.

Naw that's the crazy Euros putting the day before the month

[Brutalis]

Tiago Splitter is one of a name..

I bet the Spurs simply said look, now or we trade/dump you. You know what happened with Scola, and with Manu and Parker. You have the talent as they did at their age and you need to be here now or enjoy yourself.

[temujin]

Perhaps.

I was just musing to myself that Manu had torn up the Italian league and Euroleague, yet was able to join the Spurs without much drama. These kids...

1) Virtus had financial problems and couldn't offer anything (went bankrupt after Manu left).
2) The Euro/USD rate was 1.1
3) The oil was $20, and russians were not investing in euroleague basketball.
4) Manu was drafted in 99 and joined the Spurs 3 years later. That's exactly what could happen with Splitter, drafted in 2007 and potentially joining in 2010. Same age by the way.
5) Ginobili has no real ties in Italy (other than an italian passport).

[jcrod]

Naw that's the crazy Euros putting the day before the month

Ah, cool..i was going to lose it after getting my hopes up again.

[JPB]

My guess at the Splitter time line:

Last Summer - Splitter was truthfully happy that the Spurs picked him. He also thought he'd spend one more year at Tau and then cross the pond. At Tau, Splitter's contract at the time was peanuts and he was in Scola's shadowed.

Earlier this year - Tau offers Splitter a bigger contract. Splitter turns it down. This was around the time Splitter reiterated his future as a Spur.

A week ago - Tau offers Splitter more money, less years and gives him easier outs to the NBA. They sell Splitter on how much more he can make compared to the NBA and how it'd be easy to make the jump after year one or year two due to the lowered buyout. Also by now, Splitter was viewed as a hero and the team's best player. He became a team leader and basically took over all the spotlight Scola used to get. After contemplating everything, Splitter decided to stay with Tau.

Five days ago - The Spurs get wind of Splitter's decision and then up their pressure in trying to get him to come over. They tell him it's now or never. Maybe they e up the offer as best they could (promise to pick up or decline option years). Splitter, now faced with a now or never proposition, has to re-think everything.

Now here we are. Splitter has a tough decision on his hands. What will the next move be? I'm sure Tau will try to up their offer even more. Will the Spurs respond by promising him a chance to start or play extended minutes? Doubtful ... then again, the Spurs really can't let Splitter get away so they may venture into unchartered territory and promise him something.

True.

I wouldn't say Spurs are desperate but the loss against LA brought some questions and issues. And Tiago could be an answer to that.

Spurs realize that and they may get a bit away from their usual habbits to try to get Tiago.

Even if I don't think they'll "pros ute" themselves. Tiago also has to show he wants to play for them.

[timvp]

-¿Qué le dice la otra parte, San Antonio?
-San Antonio me quiere ya ahí. Tampoco me pueden describir mi rol, pero sí me dicen que su entrenador, Popovich, suele tener muy apartados a los novatos. Eso es algo que debo tener en cuenta.

The important thing in that quote is that Tiago is clearly reffering to Pop keeping new guys out of things.

Yeah, that's a worrisome line. But that has to be one of Tau's selling points. They are telling him that Pop doesn't play young players and he's mean to them. And how big, bad Pop will stunt his growth and he won't be able to get a large second contract because Pop doesn't play you until you're 30.

If I'm Tau, that's what I tell Splitter, too. Point to Beno and Mahinmi as examples of how Pop handles young foreigners.

Hopefully the Spurs can explain the differences in this situation and not let the Tau brainwashing win.

[BigZak]

Pop should be on his knees, not playing hardball...

[Joe Schmoogins]

is there any word on if Pop actually made it out to see him? I'm hoping he did. If so, I'd feel a whole lot better about this thing. Pop, more then anyone understands the importance of having Splitter on the team. I trust him more than anyone to know the right things to say.

[angelbelow]

any any confirmation on whether pop has personally talked to tiago or not would be great.

[Borosai]

Splitter is a lurker here. He knows what's up.

Get your ass over here!

[Slomo]

I think what everybody is failing to see is the situation with his sister battling whatever heath problems she is. Apparently she has a killer illness from what I have heard.

I also read he has his family there in Europe, for his sister to have medical attention.

Him coming to the USA isn't exactly the best bet option for his family, and apparently that means a lot to him.

I don't see him here for any other reasons I can think of. I just don't.

I'm surprised you're the only picking up on this.

Just to add to your post. A big € contract will go a long way to secure top notch medical treatment for his sister and probably finance the family while in Europe. All of this becomes very difficult on a NBA rookie salary. If he had to throw caution to the wind for only himself the decision would be a lot easier.

Maybe there's a creative way of addressing his family situation?

[Guajalote]

-¿Qué le dice la otra parte, San Antonio?
-San Antonio me quiere ya ahí. Tampoco me pueden describir mi rol, pero sí me dicen que su entrenador, Popovich, suele tener muy apartados a los novatos. Eso es algo que debo tener en cuenta.

Since this part seems to be so interesting and critical, here's my best translation (I'll be as literal and give any options/nuances possible and let the reader decide).

-- What do they/it tell you the other part/side, San Antonio?

-- San Antonio wants me already there. (Tampoco is the opposite of tambien which means "as well" or "also") Neither can they describe me my role, but (he's either saying yes they do, or possibly if they do) they (not sure who "they" is Tau or someone else) tell me that their coach, Popovich, (solerse means to be accustomed to or in the habit of) is in the habit of to have very (apartados can be translated separated from, removed, or put aside) put aside the rookies. This is something that I should take into account.

This is my best translation. Awesome job to all the others for the translation. I am always in awe of the sheer talent here. Just my two cents worth.

[Supergirl]

I still don't quite understand why money is an issue in this case

it is almost a guarantee that a NBA big men can easily earn 7/8 mill a year after their rookie scale. Even Darko who sucked during his first few years got a similar contract.

Plus there are more endorsement/commercials he could earn if he comes

why hesitate?

But the rookie contract is 3 years, 4th year at team option. So the choice is get paid big money now, risk never playing in the NBA (who knows what the landscape will look like in 3-4 years) or take a relatively paltry rookie contract ("paltry"in NBA terms is "only" 300K, let's be real about this) and have a chance to help the Spurs win another le or two.

It comes down to whether he values money or winning more. Manu would certainly have chosen winning. Manu DID choose winning. Duncan chose winning. Both those guys turned down slightly less money to stay with the Spurs and help them win championships. But not everyone has the same priorities.

[CubanMustGo]

I still don't quite understand why money is an issue in this case

it is almost a guarantee that a NBA big men can easily earn 7/8 mill a year after their rookie scale. Even Darko who sucked during his first few years got a similar contract.

Plus there are more endorsement/commercials he could earn if he comes

why hesitate?

If Timothy F Duncan can't score endorsement deals in SA there's no way that Splitter's gonna get anything playing here. I don't think HEB pays all that well.

I hope he'll come but unless someone is going to sign him to a $5M/year "personal services contract" he ain't comin'.

[1Parker1]

I'm surprised you're the only picking up on this.

Just to add to your post. A big € contract will go a long way to secure top notch medical treatment for his sister and probably finance the family while in Europe. All of this becomes very difficult on a NBA rookie salary. If he had to throw caution to the wind for only himself the decision would be a lot easier.

Maybe there's a creative way of addressing his family situation?

I thought about that too as soon as I heard about his sister's illness. I'm pretty sure anybody else in that situation would not take a big career risk at that point and do what's best for his family. Him being so far away from his sister and making less $$ factors in to his decision.

[tav1]

I'm surprised you're the only picking up on this.

Just to add to your post. A big € contract will go a long way to secure top notch medical treatment for his sister and probably finance the family while in Europe. All of this becomes very difficult on a NBA rookie salary. If he had to throw caution to the wind for only himself the decision would be a lot easier.

Maybe there's a creative way of addressing his family situation?

Charity Foundation is the way to go. I'd contribute, and so would the rest of the team. Maybe Holt could kick things off with a proper contribution.

[ForeignFan]

Did anybody notice the date of the article. 5/6/08. A month ago.

Well that is basically the rule everywhere (as using the metric system rather than inches/foot, and kilos rather than pounds) except in former England provinces & dominions

[picnroll]

Yeah, that's a worrisome line. But that has to be one of Tau's selling points. They are telling him that Pop doesn't play young players and he's mean to them. And how big, bad Pop will stunt his growth and he won't be able to get a large second contract because Pop doesn't play you until you're 30.

If I'm Tau, that's what I tell Splitter, too. Point to Beno and Mahinmi as examples of how Pop handles young foreigners.

Hopefully the Spurs can explain the differences in this situation and not let the Tau brainwashing win.

If Splitter can't figure out the gaping hole existing at the big man position with Horry, and likely Thomas gone, a useless Bonner and in bents of Oberto and a raw Mahinmi to play beside Duncan, the minutes available, coupled with the need to spend any available cash at the swing position, then he not only lacks confidence but he's not very bright either.

[1Parker1]

Look at those YouTube videos...man the SPurs would be good if they landed him. Duncan's job would be about 10 times easier with that guy in the middle. And I can just imagine him running the break with Parker and Ginobili.

[1Parker1]

You could also look at them winning a championship with Tau this year as a good thing or a bad thing. He may see it as he has an opportunity to win a lot more there with Tau and come back and defend his le. Or he could look at it as, well he's accomplished his international goal, now he can try and accomplish his NBA goal and win a championship there.

I just want to know one way or another. I'm tired of getting my hopes up.