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what was that about?
what was that about?
So one more year and he's a Spur.
He speaks good english
Just to get familiar with the Spurs org.
Probably met a few of the players....ala.....Elson and Parker.
Spurs more than likley gave him an overview of what they expect him to work on in Tau, a weight-training program, and possibly a quick tour of the city and facilities.
Spurs have high hopes for Splitter's future
ELIZABETH WHITE
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Spurs introduced the latest addition to their cadre of international players on Friday, Brazilian forward Tiago Splitter, whom they took in the first round of the draft.
The 6-foot-11 Splitter, 22, has a year left to play with Tau Ceramica in Spain, but hopes to join the NBA champions for the 2008-09 season.
"Very seldom does an organization have an opportunity to add a player of the quality of person, the quality of character and the quality of basketball talent through the draft after a championship season that we were able to do this year," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "Although the time isn't right for Tiago to join our team, we're really looking forward to that day coming soon."
Splitter has played for Tau Ceramica the last four seasons after signing with them in 2000. Splitter played 20 games in the 2006-07 Euroleague and averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. The Spurs took him with the 28th overall selection.
"I'm really glad to be here. And I think it's a great opportunity for me to be part of this team, this club, this city," Splitter said. "I always thought that San Antonio had a different game than the NBA. ... They don't have just one guy who is going to score 40 points every night, but they have a team."
Buford said "we have every indication that we'll be able to bring him into our program" after next season.
The Spurs already boast several international players, highlighted by Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto, both of Argentina, and finals MVP Tony Parker, who was born in Belgium and raised in France. Also playing for San Antonio last season for their fourth championship in nine seasons were Francisco Elson of the Netherlands and Beno Udrih of Slovenia.
Splitter said he'll use next season to improve his game and continue to watch the Spurs.
"Tim Duncan was one of my heroes," Splitter said. "I was always looking at him, and trying to learn a little bit."
Splitter has played on Tau Ceramica with Luis Scola, who was chosen by the Spurs in the 2002 draft but never played for the them. The Spurs held Scola's rights while he continued to play for Tau Ceramica.
The Houston Rockets obtained the draft rights to the Argentinian forward and acquired Jackie Butler in exchange for Vassilis Spanoulis in a trade last week with the Spurs. Houston also gave up a second-round pick in the 2009 draft for Scola.
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/17521344.htm
You can already tell that the Spurs like Splitter a lot more than they ever liked Scola. Scola was pissed that the Spurs picked him. Splitter seems genuinely excited to be drafted by the Spurs.
It's going to rather nice to plug Splitter into the Elson role in the 2008-09 season and let him grow. I see no reason why he can't be the Spurs' starting center for a long beginning in the 2009-10 season.
I wouldn't be surprised if Pop starts him in the middle of the season right around the Rodeo Road trip.
Never a bad thing to find a long-term starting center (with tons of professional experience already no less) so deep in the draft. I wasn't so high on this draft pick at first. But I'm really excited about getting him now.
Yup yup.
It depends on how well he adapts to the NBA game. If he picks it up early I could see that happening. Otherwise, I could see him playing a reserve role most of the season and then sneaking into the starting lineup sometime during the playoffs because of "better matchups" and never giving the spot back.
I expect Tiago to help the Spurs far more than Scola ever would of been able to.
Scola being here would have only cause a log-jam at the 4 spot and could of possibly hindered his ability to play his best.
Splitter is a great fit. He will come in two seasons and fill a void. He can work with Duncan and possibly Ian to become good big men.
LMAO @ us already plugging a dude into the starting 5 who averages 10 and 6 in a second rate league.
i like this kid already...he's going to do well as a spur
I did not mention such a thing.
I said fill a "void."
But, does he have the potential to get thrown into the starting 5? Yes.
Has it been done? Yes.....ala....Tony Parker....5 games into his rookie season, and now the 2007 Finals MVP.....and he came from a team Paris Basket Racing....that is not even close to the compe ion Tiago plays against with Tau.
I didn't say it would be a good move. Just saying I wouldn't be surprised if Pop were to pull something off like that.
Exactly. Pop flipped flopped between Oberto and Elson. He has flipped flopped with Barry, Finley, and Manu. So it wouldn't be a surprise.
Would he able to play for the Spurs this coming season starting in '08, or will he have to wait until the '08-'09 season starts?
This question seems redundant since people keep saying he won't be able to join us until next season, but then someone mentioned him playing after the RRT.
It becomes a lot less funny when you realize both Elson and Oberto played in the same league and Splitter has had much more team success. Elson put up worse numbers at an older age. Oberto put up similar numbers at an older age.
Out of the press conference....it was good to hear that Elson and Parker are already back to work at the facility.
Parker could be working on his 3pt shot, as he said he would start shooting three's next season.
Elson, hopefully studying defensive rotations and somewhat of a low-post game.
Mahinmi not Parker.
If true, that would be even better.
Tiago who??
How was your draft this year?
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