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It'd make much more sense to let Mahinmi play and see what he can do. He's just as athletic as Thomas, and he's bigger. And it wouldn't require trading away valuable assets, like Splitter.
I agree. This is a deal that looks to be tailor-made for the Spurs. However, I'd much rather have Salmons than Pargo. We have enough smallish scoring PGs already. And I'd rather dump Finley's expiring deal into the mix and retain Ian for the time being. Finley's contract is worth more and would be a better salary match if Salmons is the other target.
It'd make much more sense to let Mahinmi play and see what he can do. He's just as athletic as Thomas, and he's bigger. And it wouldn't require trading away valuable assets, like Splitter.
Like I said, I'd be just as happy if the FO made no trades and just let Mahinmi and Hairston get on the court instead of these dead bodies they throw out there..it's obvious that Pop isn't going to play Ian though, probably so the FO isn't embarrassed in case he's good..
Tyrus Thomas would be in the top 5% of athletically gifted players in the NBA. Ian Mahinmi, who I actually quite like, is not as athletic as Thomas.
Let's just say that Gasol is at the peak of his game right now. He wasn't near as good four to six years ago. I dont think Splitter will come over playing Gasol 2010 well, but he has a knack to put the ball in the hole from close range, and if I remember correctly he had a little hook shot that caught my attention. He has touch, and will produce on offense.
He probably would never be as good as Gasol now, but maybe a young Gasol. Maybe more along the lines of Ilguaskas on offense. As for D, he is as mobile as most seven footers in the league, moreso because of his age. He's not going to compare with a Beidrins, but how many bigs will? If your holding your breath on getting a 7 footer that is beidrins mobile, you may never get your hands on one. Besides, Lamar is comparable, and I wouldnt have beidrins or lamar starting for us without timmy too.
Nevertheless, I dont see him as an all star, but I do see him as a starter and a solid one at that. that will just be one more position that the spurs wont be starting from scratch when the post-TD era begins IMO.
Last edited by Parker2112; 02-10-2010 at 03:17 AM.
Wow, really? He sucks?
The fact of the matter is the only reason the bulls are shopping Thomas is because of the emergence of Taj Gibson, who is fairly athletic himself and whom Del Negro likes more and they want to clear cap room for next year's free agency.
Otherwise, stat-wise Thomas matches offensively everything Gibson has done this year, plus averages more assists, blocks and steals than Gibson by a good margin. And this he has done while coming off the bench and being upset most of the time. Last year his numbers were much better.
He is one of the best athletes in the NBA which is something the spurs desperately need, especially on the frontline. Trust me, they are much better off with Thomas playing the 4 than Jefferson.
And lets not forget what he did in last year's playoff run against the celtics. He was a huge part of their success. I think all he needs is a new situation and I bet he would thrive.
Itsoweezee, if Thomas doesn't defend the rim, then how the did he average in last year's playoff series vs the celtics (in a mere 28 minutes a game) 3 blocks? I can't wait to hear your answer btw, this should be good.
I'd never give up Splitter for TT and/or Salmons. Anyone who has watched him play at least a couple of times would probably have the same opinion. The problem is, how likely is it that he comes to the NBA in the summer. And this is something RC and Pop should be quite familiar with by now, while obviously not a certainty. If he's coming, then no way would I want to see the Spurs trading him, if he's not then his value wouldn't be significant enough to throw in any deal.
Either way, I'd much rather the chance to sign Splitter in the summer than the chance to eventually re-sign TT.
I'm in the camp that would not give up Splitter for Thomas but that's not because I have lofty expectations for him.
If Splitter can be a more mobile version of Rasho, force players to alter their shots, make smart rotations, and clog the paint then that would be a huge success in my mind.
As for Thomas I don't see a point in not taking a flyer on him. The guy's we'd hypothetically be giving up don't have much, if any future with the Spurs. If he falls flat on his face then oh well, at least they tried.
I'm not sure whom the others were talking about, but the comparison was Marc Gasol; Tiago's actually older. (28 whole days)
He's a really solid 6-11 big that should have a nice career in the league. He's mobile and athletic, even if not elite or explosive; he's intelligent and a nice passer; he has nice hands and touch around the basket; he does well in the screen-and-roll; and he uses he size well when it comes to playing position D.
On the negative, he's not a great rebounder or very good shot blocker; his offense is limited and a bit rudimentary; his finishing in traffic and at the rim has been accused of being soft from time-to-time; and he's a bit of what I call a white-collar player: talented and skilled, not gritty or high-energy.
At best, imo, he's a very solid number two. There's not one player I can really point to as being a great comparison, but I guess Gortat and Biedrins are somewhat similar offensively in the half-court; a lot of screen-and-roll and they're best closest to the basket. (Tiago's a better all-around offensive player than both, however) But I'd give a significant edge to Biedrins and Gortat when it comes to the defensive end. They're better, more physical and disruptive players on that end, and their rebounding is superior.
Still, he's a 25yr. old quality big that's going to be on a modest contract should he come over. If it's an either-or with Thomas and Splitter, and they believe in their hearts he's going to be here next year, I can't see the Spurs going with Thomas.
The only way I see it being an either-or, though, is if Tiago believes there's a logjam he doesn't want to compete with and forces a trade. (whether it be for him or someone else)
I'm sure it's possible, but if I'm the Spurs, I'd just assume have the assets to weigh those options.
With or without Splitter in a Thomas deal . . . come on guys. You think Pop would develop Thomas into a real NBA player? This is Pop of the year 2010.
You know he'd screw it up somehow. As much as everyone hates and jokes about smallball I never in my life thought he'd trot out Finley at the 4 with Blair at the 5 to take on Pau Gasol. I mean, that's just through the looking glass.
Pop would doghouse Thomas. You know it. I know it. Pop knows it. Tyrus knows it. Everybody knows it.
Even though I don't think Splitter is likely to come over, the reason I would favor keeping him rather than dumping him even for Tyrus Thomas is because Splitter is very close to a finished product.
That's what Pop likes. That's what he brags about with Blair, that he doesn't have to coach him, he just does his thing. Manu came in, just did his thing. Parker came in after being a starter in France, just did his thing. Oberto had been around a hundred years, he just did his thing. Mason came in, did his thing. Finley came in, did his thing. Horry came in, did his thing.
Splitter is someone Pop would be comfortable with.
Guys who needed some faith and/or coaching get buried until injuries free them (Stephen Jackson), imprisoned and labeled 'not ready' until the fight was already lost (George Hill), or lured into a jungle deathtrap to fall into a deep hole covered over with leaves and left for dead (Ian Mahinmi).
And about Splitter, where the do all these "You morons think Splitter will be an all-star!" posts come from? Who has ever pegged him as an all-star? There are guys in the NBA average who 20-10 (Big Al in the past, some others) and currently 16, 10 & 2 (Bogut) and those guys don't make the all-star game. I don't think I've ever seen anyone post that he would be more than a legit starter for the Spurs, and that isn't to hard to envision considering all the refuse that Pop has started the last few years, like Elson, Oberto, or Bonner.
That bolded part is sig-worthy. Great quote!
If Splitter does decide to come to San Antonio next year (which is doubtful really) I highly doubt he's going to be an impact player for the spurs. The guy has very little athleticism, and is basically stapled to the floor much like Tim Duncan, yet he's shorter and has no post game to speak of. He is not going to compliment Duncan well at all, unless he based his game around being a knockdown perimeter shooter like Nowitski, which he is clearly NOT.
In a league that's getting faster and more athletic by the minute do you guys really think Tiago Splitter is the answer? I'm betting he won't be. At all.
There is now way I would give up Splitter or a first round pick for a Thomas/Salmons package.
Thomas is a wild gamble with tons of red flags and Salmons is a very average player with a quite unfriendly contract.
A couple of second round picks or the rights to De Colo is the most Spurs should offer. A first or Splitter would be overpaying like they did with the Kurt Thomas trade.
Splitter isn't ever coming. Just stop it.
Still laughing about that quote ... esp the part about Ian. :rofl
We can't trade Splitter or draft picks. Who is going to be on this team in two years?
And Splitter is this "sure thing" I suppose huh? He's the "safe" route I suppose. The safe route has done what for us lately? Besides mire us in mediocrity?
thank you, thank you, I also invented the "It isn't the last blow that shatters a dynasty, but all those that came before it." twist that was such a hit yesterday. I'll be here all night folks! *rimshotThat bolded part is sig-worthy. Great quote!
If Splitter does decide to come to San Antonio next year (which is doubtful really) I highly doubt he's going to be an impact player for the spurs. The guy has very little athleticism, and is basically stapled to the floor much like Tim Duncan, yet he's shorter and has no post game to speak of. He is not going to compliment Duncan well at all, unless he based his game around being a knockdown perimeter shooter like Nowitski, which he is clearly NOT.
In a league that's getting faster and more athletic by the minute do you guys really think Tiago Splitter is the answer? I'm betting he won't be. At all.
Back to Splitter, I've seen him enough to be confident that he can play just fine in the NBA, particularly from how he played against team USA. He's not slow. At least not now while he's young. He sets good picks, plays good fundamental defense, is nimble on his feet, is a useful passer. Brazil was only close to the USA back in 07 because of Splitter, once he left the game their offense fell apart without him to set picks and their defense went to crap as well.
He's not a monster rebounder, then again everyone said Luis Scola was a crap rebounder who was too small for the NBA but all he does is grab double doubles in playoff basketball. I know he was better stat wise with rebounding than Splitter, but you get my point.
You know nothing about Splitter.
Completely agree; well said.
I'm guessing that's some kind of shot at me, even if I never inferred someone was a moron for believing it (although there are the unavoidables), but to say there hasn't been a good amount of wishful thinking in regards to Splitter would have me believe you're being disingenuous or you've been under a rock; it's what fans do.
It's not as ridiculous as it was early on, as he's more of a known quan y these days, but there's still some stragglers here and callers to the local sports talk shows that still believe him to be capable of taking the reins from Tim the way he did with Dave.
I've got nothing against the guy or his ability, I just don't see him being and All-Star type (if that makes it clearer; not Jefferson, Bogut or anyone of that ilk). I'm hoping to see him next year and I don't think the acquiring of Thomas would cost the Spurs his rights.
We'll see . . .
Okay, fair enough,.. I still think Duncan needs an athlete that can block shots to compliment his weakness of being stapled to the floor.. even if Splitter becomes a solid player (16/10 type or whatever) in the nba I don't think he will fit in w/ Duncan, but I suppose if the spurs are throwing in the towel now they are looking into the future beyond Tim Duncan. I just think its silly to do that when there is still another 2-3 years left in the window and who knows what will happen maybe Jefferson eventually turns it on if he's not forced to play power forward with Thomas on board.
I would still without a doubt give up his rights to get Salmons/Thomas in here.
I suppose I knew nothing about Pietrus either, huh? How'd that turn out?
It wasn't a shot at you, I didn't remember who was posting 'savior' or 'all-star' about Splitter with their mocking, but it's been more than one poster over the last few months. No offense.Completely agree; well said.
I'm guessing that's some kind of shot at me, even if I never inferred someone was a moron for believing it (although there are the unavoidables), but to say there hasn't been a good amount of wishful thinking in regards to Splitter would have me believe you're being disingenuous or you've been under a rock; it's what fans do.
It's not as ridiculous as it was early on, as he's more of a known quan y these days, but there's still some stragglers here and callers to the local sports talk shows that still believe him to be capable of taking the reins from Tim the way he did with Dave.
I've got nothing against the guy or his ability, I just don't see him being and All-Star type (if that makes it clearer; not Jefferson, Bogut or anyone of that ilk). I'm hoping to see him next year and I don't think the acquiring of Thomas would cost the Spurs his rights.
We'll see . . .
As far as him taking the reins from Tim as from David . . . well, I'll say this: Even though Splitter isn't and never will be Tim or David, or close to it, he would be a lot closer to that impossible goal than Francisco Elson, Fabricio Oberto, Matt Bonner, or Antonio McDyess.
It's not great, but a guy who I think should be a legit starting center and possibly squeak his way into the top 10 is a good piece to have. Now don't get too riled up about me believing he could be the 10th best center in the NBA, there aren't too many great ones and Marc Gasol is one of the better ones. Splitter was in many scouts opinions better than him for the NBA, and good solid defense, good screens, and solid b-ball IQ combined with good footspeed and size get you places.
As long as Splitter is good enough to be a legit starter, our frontcourt will be fine for next year, hopefully he actually comes though..while I don't expect him to be an all-star or anything near an all-star, I expect him to be good enough to start for the team, and that will help the Spurs out tremendously when it comes to keeping the le hopes alive for 1 more season(of course other moves will have to be made, like moving RJ)..
Has he gotten bigger or something? Are we talking about Tiago Splitter, a beanpole like 6'11" 245 with no hops? Marc Gasol is an actual physical specimen at 7'1 265.
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