Spurs Sign DerMarr Johnson

[T Park]

I will put cash money, on Tiago Splitter not spending minute one in the D league.

You've got to stop thinking of the D-League as a pure minor league

When Loren Woods makes the all star team, its a minor league.

[hardwoodparoxysm]

I'm not saying it's not a minor league, I'm saying that's not what it does. It's not built for entertainment. It's built to develop players. So you think Splitter can just jump in and immediately contribute?

Interesting. Could be. There are a lot of first year guys that CAN come in and play, but the D-league lets you develop and coach them until they're at the best possible point.

It's definitely a sub-league, less than Europe in a lot of respects, but it's better for integration. You're going to see it used a lot more in the next ten years.

[ChuckD]

Splitter's a more finished product that Mahinmi. He was playing in the WCs at 17, and has been playing professionally in Europe since then. I think if you have a young player who needs serious development like Ian, the DLeague is the perfect place for him, and I agree that he may see time there next year. I don't believe that Tiago is in that same situation. With oldsters Horry and maybe Thomas rolling off next year, he'll ing play minutes in the Big League, IMHO. If both of the oldtimers roll off, your choice is him or Bonner for the #3 big. I'll take Tiago any day for 20-25 minutes.

[T Park]

So you think Splitter can just jump in and immediately contribute?

With his skill set and international experience? Yes sir I do.

[hardwoodparoxysm]

Well, I guess if the Spanish ACB is the same level as the NBA, he should be ready for the jump. Regardless, from what I hear, Ian's definitely going to at least start next year in Austin, unless he takes a huge jump over the summer.

[ChumpDumper]

Toros have acquired Jamar Smith.

Oh, yeah!

I don't know why it took so long to sign him, but he should be an excellent complement to Ian as he has decent range but can easily move to the post to score when Ian is out. Much more offensively skilled than Ham or Angounou, and a better perimeter defender as well. Grabbed about 8 boards a game last year, too. If he's in game shape -- I have no reason to think not since the Japan Superleague just ended a couple of weeks ago -- this move puts the Toros on even footing with any other team in the playoffs.

[T Park]

Well, I guess if the Spanish ACB is the same level as the NBA, he should be ready for the jump

Its better than the NBDL.

Plus hes also in euroleague compe ion, not just Spanish ACB.

[hardwoodparoxysm]

I don't know about that. LA with Karl, Wendell White, Jelani McCoy, and especially Sean Banks, who's first on two coaches I talked to for callups, that's pretty rough. And then Utah, with Almond (who is a nightmare matchup for the Toros, by the way), Utah's damn good, too. But I really like Andre, Ian, Gross, Smith, Ham. That's a solid core. Now if Colorado can just get to the Finals, so Austin gets homecourt in the Finals, assuming we can take care of business against Dakota/Sioux Falls.

[T Park]

Jelani McCoy

Guys like Gasol, Pekovic would eat and crap NBDL stiffs like that 20 times a day.

So yeah the euroleague and ACB league is tougher..

[ChumpDumper]

Overall the ACB is a much higher level than the D-League. The D-League is closer to the 2nd leagues in the strong basketball countries like the LEB in Spain or Lega Due in Italy, although the best D-League players routinely find roster spots in the 1st leagues in Europe like the ACB and Serie A. Some of the board Euros could argue for days about the relative levels of each Euro league (I intentionally left out the Greek leagues for this very reason), but I'll stick with this as a rough guide for now.

[T Park]

Agreed.

Splitter's time in europe, along with his years of play with the Brazilian national team will be sufficient to make the club.

[hardwoodparoxysm]

Again, you're confusing. I'm not saying the D-League is that level (yet). I'm saying that getting him into the system will improve him to a point where the shock won't be as hard. Working in what is essentially a stripped Spurs system will make it easier on him. My argument isn't that the D-League is equal to the ACB. It's clearly not. But there's a reason that more and more teams are investing in D-League teams, because they know they can control the development of their younger players. But hey, throw Tiago in there. Can't hurt. There have been a ton of guys that have made the jump from Europe immediately and excelled right off the bat (Scola).

[T Park]

There have been a ton of guys that have made the jump from Europe immediately and excelled right off the bat (Scola

ginobili, gasol........

The list is endless.

[ChumpDumper]

Sure, in Tiago's case it just depends on whether the Spurs can use him immediately or not. Given his experience in the highest levels of play in the ACB, Euroleague and FIBA, I think the Spurs will be able to use him as soon as he gets off the plane.

[T Park]

There will be 2 big man openings for next year so i think Tiago takes one of em.

[hardwoodparoxysm]

Bear in mind that I'm the guy that thinks Brandan Wright, Julian Wright and Acie Law should have spent the first three months in the D-League. I think just getting playing time and spending time getting feedback from coaches and scouts in their respective front offices will help. Tiago could come in and light it on fire. It really depends on how willing Pop is to play a first year guy. I can tell you that being on the bench and not playing, even in the NBA, does NOTHING for your career, and can hurt your game because of the lack of practicing.

[Bruno]

I think that both Splitter and Mahinmi will have a fair chance to crack Spurs rotation at the start of next year.
After it will be up to them to make it or not.
If one or both struggle next year, he could be send (with his agreement) in D-League.

[Quasar]

Hey Hardwood, thanks for your insightful comments. Interesting take about sending Tiago to the DLeague first, to get acclimated.

Well... I guess it all depends on how well he'd accept a 'demotion'.

I can tell you that being on the bench and not playing, even in the NBA, does NOTHING for your career, and can hurt your game because of the lack of practicing.

All NBA teams do hold practice sessions, with main team vs subs, etc. But it is indeed true it would make some sense to allow Tiago to destroy D-Leaguers for a few weeks just to get more confidence about playing against athletically gifted Americans, as well as getting to know the Spurs plays. Practice is good, but is far from the real thing - nerves and hostile environments greatly affect the outcome of games!