Splitter's Confidence Coming From Unlikely Source

Written by Jose Grijalva on Wednesday, 21 November 2012 09:00.

After the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs on November 15 in San Antonio, Gregg Popovich said the following of his oft struggling third year Brazilian big man.

"It is huge because he was shooting 80 percent for most of the season. This is great for his confidence to shoot the ball like that (versus Knicks). Hopefully he can keep it going."

This season we've seen a different Tiago Splitter with more aggression on the defensive end, better position for rebounding, and looking to score more often around the basket compared to prior seasons. Before the Spurs play the Boston Celtics for the first time this season on November 21, Splitter's free throw average is on par with last year's percentage so far (2011-2012: 0.691%, 2012:2013: 0.692%) and is on pace to surpass his career high attempts in his NBA career from last year with 26 attempts so far (2011-2012: 181 attempted free throws).

Coach Pop is definitely hitting on the main reason for Tiago's success so far. He isn't an overly aggressive player like a Dwight Howard or Amar'e Stoudemire where you can pick and roll or hand him the ball in the paint for a strong move to punish the other team by forcing them to foul. He's one dimensional on offense so far with a finesse mentality under the rim for the majority of the time. On defense, he gets pushed around a bit by stronger or heavier players and isn't the shot blocker he should be with his height and athleticism.

His overall worst quality is (or was) his free throw shooting and, even if he's currently at 69% he knows he can hit at least 80% of his free throws. That allows him to be more confident streaking to the basket or being aggressive on the ball because he knows he can make free throws if he's fouled.

This should be great news for Spurs fans seeing as Tiago has largely disappointed since he had high expectations of playing closer to how he played as Most Valuable Player of the Spanish League Finals back in 2010 than how he has. This is definitely a step in the right direction. If Splitter is being more aggressive on both ends because of free throw making confidence, one can only wonder what will happen if he gets confidence from his overall offense or defense next. For Spurs fans, it can't come soon enough. Luckily for Tiago, he has some extra time bought for him by the Spurs' Big 3 and role players who are currently playing in a system where every player on the court can show their skills on the court individually and as a team.

6 comments

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Titletown99030507

The reason he's starting to show what was expected of him early on is because he's actually playing more than 10 minutes in a frickin game! Right Pop? Finally you get it Pop. and stop experimenting with undersized centers and PF that disappear in the playoffs. Let's keep it coming. Hey Pop is that too much to ask for. GHEEESH!

dannyholloway

I'm really tired of people that keep citing Tiago's success in Europe. Like that matters. It's inferior competition over there. That's why he was the man. He was a big fish in a small pond. The best basketball players in the world are in the NBA...where we've only seen flashes from him. Love my Spurs, but Tiago ain't the answer guys.

Titletown99030507

@dannyholloway Excuse me, That's where the Gasols played in the Liga. Sorry to tell you they may not be the most athletic but they get the game really good. They seem to grasp the fundamental aspects of the game much sooner and much better than american kids. american kids tend to be more athletic and use that to their advantage but so many of these college kids that have high hopes just don't get it and it hurts them when they try to get an NBA career going. Those are called busts. Wonder why? European ballers start their pro careers at such a young age because they are taught the fundamentals at such a young age. Case in point Manu Ginobili.

dannyholloway

@Titletown99030507

Um...yeah. Please do us all a favor and NEVER compare Tiago freakin Splitter to Manu Ginobili ever again. Case in point? If you think Manu is a typical example of ANY player in ANY league EVER...you're crazy.

And American kids that turn into busts don't prove your point in the least. The NBA is a league of attrition. Which is why if you are in the NBA, you're one of the best in the world. And if you aren't in the NBA, you aren't as good. There's certainly exceptions to the rule, but as a general statement, NBA players ARE the best in the world. Which is why it's the goal of basketballers world wide to make the NBA, not the other way around.

And there's a reason why the Gasols play in the NBA and not Spain. Your examples only prove my point if you think about it.

So, yes. Euroleague is inferior to the NBA. All I have to say to your twisted logic is wow. Just wow.

Boo-J

Interesting article. Tiago cannot and should not be compared to Amare and Dwight. He is a complete team player and his role is different from theirs too. They are not as of yet. He is not one dimensional, though Manu seems to bring out the best in him in pick and roll. It is good to see him more aggressive for sure. He does appear to be improving some. Pop nor I would agree that he has largely been a disappointment. Maybe expectations were misguided. He was a winner and leader in Europe and we should expect some more from him its true, but to dominate physically? Nope! Win and produce? YES!!. Thanks for article. Go Spurs!!!

SivanJohn

I've followed and read a lot about him in Europe. Being a huge Argentina fan, I kept a close eye on Tau Ceramica because that's where Luis Scola.Please bear in mind, at that time he was still a Spurs draftee. They were consider the biggest basketball club in Spain and Europe. And so happen Splitter was in that team too. So I knew there's something about him and that it's only a matter of time before NBA team will start scouting on him.

During the time when Scola's right was given to the Rockets, Spurs drafted him Splitter in 2007. I was over the top about this and was keen to see him coming over soon to join the Spurs. Of course like Scola, there was the contract buy out issue that's needs to be resolve.

I was extremely happy when he finally chooses to come over to the NBA and join the Spurs. Mind you, it's not often that a fan of Argentina can be happy about a Brazilian provided there's something special about him.

Of course "Special" could be a big word to some with regards to Tiago but I'm sure you can see the potential is there. My hope is that, he can replicate the kind of game that another famous Argentine, ex-Tau Ceramica & Spurs legend did before; Fabricio Oberto.

Hope to see more outstanding contribution from him when we take on the Celtics.

Go Spurs Go!!!!

Vamos Tiago!!!!

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