Tiago "the Tease" Splitter

[panfolk]

Anybody willing to draft him if he does good in workouts? I was just thinking he is a highly regarded, defensive minded 7 footer.

 

[Gaddabout]

He'll go lower in this draft than he would have gone last year. He'll pull out again.

 

[Diawsome]

It depends on where the Cleveland picks lands as they could still go either way. If it ends up being a top 20 pick I would pass as there will be better options. It it is somewhere between 20-25 nothing wrong with using it on him.

 

[panfolk]

He'll go lower in this draft than he would have gone last year. He'll pull out again.

I'm guessing you're right, but I still don't understand it. You'd think aside from going top 5 and getting beaucoup endorsements, a player would be willing to be drafted lower and get on a quality team. The difference in pay can't really be a factor as long as they're in their rookie contract.

 

[Chaplin]

I thought I read somewhere that Splitter can't pull out of the draft anymore--something about some statute of limitations or something.

 

[HooverDam]

It depends on where the Cleveland picks lands as they could still go either way. If it ends up being a top 20 pick I would pass as there will be better options. It it is somewhere between 20-25 nothing wrong with using it on him.

What about the Suns own pick? I certainly think its likely he could slide that low. If he's on the board at Clevelands pick, and there is someone better (or that the Suns like more) also available, I say don't pick him and hope he slips to #30 or so.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

I thought I read somewhere that Splitter can't pull out of the draft anymore--something about some statute of limitations or something.

Does that mean Splitter is going to impregnate the league?

 

[Chaplin]

Does that mean Splitter is going to impregnate the league?

What an unexpected response.

 

[Mainstreet]

Does that mean Splitter is going to impregnate the league?

I think that the NBA has a policy that if a player is not drafted by age 22 (???), he becomes a FA and can sign anywhere (because he is no longer restricted by the draft). I'm not sure of Splitter's age, but this may be what Chaplin is saying.

 

[sunsfn]

Splitter put his name in the draft two times and pulled out. He is automatically in this year and can not pull out. Whoever drafts him will have to work a large buyout with his current team. That is probably not going to happen, so whoever drafts him will have to wait another year or two for him. He signed a four year contract and has one or two years left.

I do not remember the year he signed the four year contract and do not want to check right now.

 

[Louis]

Bring him in. He'd definitely be worth a low 1st round selection.

Considering he was a definite top pick a few years ago until his constant in and out of the draft status.

He's projected to go 21 to the Suns at nbadraft.net. He's 6'11 240 lbs.

With KT leaving and the Suns' need for a big. He could be it.

NBA Comparison: PJ Brown

Strengths: Few players his size run the court as well as he does … Because of this he regularly beats opposing forwards down the court for quick scores … Possesses refined post footwork … Combine that with Splitter’s body control and you have someone who has no trouble getting his shot off in the post … An above average rebounder … Uses his quickness to obtain most rebounds in and out of his position … Double teams rarely effect him due to his above average court vision … Excels in the high post as he can use his quick first step to drive past most defenders … Possess a very good basketball IQ, understands the game … His superb mobility enables him to run the fast break with no problems and finish … Moves well without the ball and will work to get open … Defensively he is blessed with above average lateral movement and long arms … Possesses excellent hands that are both quick and soft which helps him on both sides of the ball … Shows soft touch around the basket where he can make a good amount of shots via drop-ins, hooks, or put backs …

Weaknesses: Not a prolific offensive player … Despite his height and quickness, Splitter is not much of a shot blocker … Tends to get frustrated when played physically in the low post … This has led some to question his mental toughness … Throughout his career he has had health trouble so there’s the concern that he could be an injury prone player in the NBA’s 82 game schedule … Must improve on his upper body strength. How big he can actually get is questionable … This impacts him offensively when he fails to finish after contact occurs … Despite being one of the most talented players on the court, he tends to defer to teammates and lacks aggressiveness … Surprisingly he shows mediocre consistency shooting from mid-range … Not a great free throw shooter … Still prone to fundamental lapses as he doesn’t always secure rebounds which enable easy steals for opposing teams … Tends to get out-muscled for rebounding position by stronger opposing forwards …
Matthew Maurer - 12/2/2006
Strengths: Athletic forward with good size. Runs the floor well, good agility ... Plays hard with toughness around the basket ... Has nice moves around the basket where he usually finishes with power plays. He has excellent mobility and great foot work for a player his size. He has a lot of international experience playing for a top European team (Tau Ceramica) ...

Weaknesses: Lacks a great offensive game, not much of a shooter and lacks range ... His body still very weak to play the PF position. He has problems defending stronger guys and playing post up on offense, has to improve his timing on rebounds and his patience on defense. His defense can improve a lot playing in Europe and his body will certainly develop.

Notes: Made the Brazilian National team as a 17 years old and competed in the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis. Very athletic player. Prefers to play on the outside. Shies away from contact. A bigtime scorer. Somewhat similar to Kirilenko with his rangy frame. Has a ways to go skill-wise.

http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/tiagosplitter.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlrqMS7tp-A

21 years old.

 

[Diawsome]

What about the Suns own pick? I certainly think its likely he could slide that low. If he's on the board at Clevelands pick, and there is someone better (or that the Suns like more) also available, I say don't pick him and hope he slips to #30 or so.

For me it a lot of it depends on what they do with Cleveland's pick (My best case scenario is either drafting Corey Brewer or trading up) but right now I am looking at 2 players with the Suns pick, Arron Affalo and Nick Fazekas.

 

[Mainstreet]

Splitter put his name in the draft two times and pulled out. He is automatically in this year and can not pull out. Whoever drafts him will have to work a large buyout with his current team. That is probably not going to happen, so whoever drafts him will have to wait another year or two for him. He signed a four year contract and has one or two years left.

I do not remember the year he signed the four year contract and do not want to check right now.

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds right to me.

However, isn't there also an age rule that says if a player is not drafted in the year when he turns 22 he becomes a FA???

 

[SactownSunsFan]

What an unexpected response.

Sorry. It was just too corny to let it go.

 

[sunsfn]

From Draft express.

It appears he is there for another year, but someone will draft him this year.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Most NBA fans are probably tired of seeing Tiago Splitter declaring and withdrawing from the draft every year seemingly. The fact is that the lack of a buyout in his contract and the wealthy status of his European team Tau Vitoria haven’t allowed him to stay in without risking a plummet in his draft stock due to those contract issues. A favorable buyout had actually been negotiated for the 2003 draft (see links: Chicago pre-draft camp), and Splitter came over for a workout, but no team in the top 20 was wise enough to see his potential and take advantage of the situation.

For 2006, there’s apparently no difference on the horizon. As DraftExpress recently reported, there’s no buyout set, and his team is openly and unequivocally stating that the player will continue in Vitoria for another season. Without contract complications, the Brazilian would be a lock for the lottery and, most likely, a top-10 pick.

 

[tobiazz]

For 2006, there’s apparently no difference on the horizon. As DraftExpress recently reported, there’s no buyout set, and his team is openly and unequivocally stating that the player will continue in Vitoria for another season. Without contract complications, the Brazilian would be a lock for the lottery and, most likely, a top-10 pick.

The only teams that I feel would not mind waiting a year for a player--that have a pick ahead of the CLE pick--are Miami at ~12 (If Haslem is not in a final yr) and Detroit at ~19. I bet Detroit would take him if he's truly a defensive force. However, he could "slip" to the Suns, though they could use a more immediate replacement for the very useful Kurt Thomas.

I'm really hoping they can end up with that #4 draft spot so that they can basically get their 1st or 2nd choice of PF in this PF-heavy draft. The fact that ATL just beat ORL makes me think a 5-7 spot is more likely.

 

[panfolk]

Anybody up for getting him despite the fact he wouldn't join til 08? I for one would like to see him and another big be our picks (Noah or Hill) so we could have a hefty rotation after KT plays out his contract (my guess).

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I personally want Horford. I like NBADraft.net's projections for us right now:

Horford-Splitter-Hill

I would take that all day, every day. Let Splitter stay in Europe for the year and put Hill at about the 10th-11th spot and run a top 9 of:

Nash-Bell-Marion-Amare-Diaw-Barbosa-Thomas-Jones-Horford-FA-Hill

Fill FA (or trade) with a PG like maybe Brevin Knight to replace Banks somehow and we're geared up for yet anotehr run....

 

[panfolk]

I personally want Horford. I like NBADraft.net's projections for us right now:

Horford-Splitter-Hill

I would take that all day, every day. Let Splitter stay in Europe for the year and put Hill at about the 10th-11th spot and run a top 9 of:

Nash-Bell-Marion-Amare-Diaw-Barbosa-Thomas-Jones-Horford-FA-Hill

Fill FA (or trade) with a PG like maybe Brevin Knight to replace Banks somehow and we're geared up for yet anotehr run....

I was also marvelling at that particular draft projection as being joy-spasm inducing. Horford could learn under KT for a year, Hill would no doubt be a bench upgrade, and Tiago could come in later as our 7 footer defensive specialist that wouldn't make Hunter-like mistakes to take him out of the game.

For that to happen though I imagine JR will have to show up in the playoffs to solidify our SF spot.

If only our gossip were true:
Nash Diener
Bell Barbosa
Marion Posey JR
Diaw Horford
Amare KT Hill

helluva payroll though

 

[Griffin]

I don't think the Suns will add three rookies next season, so my guess is they either trade up (like they tried last year) or trade (give) the last pick away. However, if we can pick up a player that does not have to come over right away, like Splitter, then we could very well draft three guys. I would of course prefer that Splitter slides all the way to our last first round pick, but our last two picks could be relatively close. Now if we don't get a lottery pick from Atlanta, then I don't think we can waste a pick on Splitter.

 

[F-Dog]

Splitter is this year's Fran Vasquez--he's in the draft because of the age limit, not because he's so keen to play in the U.S., and unless he's drafted in the top 5, he's looking at a gigantic pay cut to come over and play on a four-year rookie contract.

That's in addition to the usual buyout issues he'll face.



The place to draft Splitter is early in the second round: not only will there be less risk in picking him, his team will be able to negotiate a (more) competitive starting salary for him.

 

[HooverDam]

As nice as a Horford-Splitter-Hill draft would be, I doubt the Suns keep all 3 picks. Even if they do, I doubt they draft 3 Power Forwards. Obviously one could slide over to center, but with the Suns needs in the back court, it just seems unlikely. That being said, I don't want the Suns to reach for a PG if there are better players available, but what I'm thinking is that the Suns could move one of their picks (theirs or Cleveland's) for a PG already in the league.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I just have to point out that nbadraft.net is complete trash. Draftexpress is really the only draft site worth paying attention to.

Especially when it comes to international players. Their network overseas is pretty much ridiculous. And I can tell you that the amount of tape they watch on draft prospects blows the average NBA team scouting department out of the water. And actually their college network is even better - I can't even begin to explain just how hard these guys work. Their dedication is amazing, and I know for a fact that at least 4-5 NBA teams invite Jonathan into their draft war room for his take on players.

I talked to them about Splitter today. Splitter will be in the draft this season, and he cannot pull out. Also, Tau is going to let him leave. He is NOT another Fran Vasquez. Fran Vasquez is basically Tiago Splitter 3 years ago, except he didn't pull out.

Right now he has some back issues, and no one really knows how bad they are. It hasn't been anything chronic, and it just started - still scary though.

With that said, if the back isn't bad - he is without a doubt a top 10 lock. I've heard from some of their guys that he is the most NBA ready player (this does not mean the best player) in this draft. 7-feet tall, athletic and a great a defender.

For those who haven't read his profile the have, I posted the link.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=25

You all are joking if you think we would get Splitter without using the Atlanta pick on him.

 

[panfolk]

I just have to point out that nbadraft.net is complete trash. Draftexpress is really the only draft site worth paying attention to.
You all are joking if you think we would get Splitter without using the Atlanta pick on him.

Thanks for sharing. That's pretty exciting news about his coming over next year.

 

[elindholm]

You all are joking if you think we would get Splitter without using the Atlanta pick on him.

Well then F him. From what I've seen, he's not worth a top-ten pick if this draft is close to as strong as everyone keeps saying it's going to be.