BRA - Splitter grows in stature

SAN ANTONIO (Olympics/NBA) – Brazil’s men have not played at an Olympic Games for 16 years yet they have cause for a lot of optimism ahead of the London Games.

There is the steady hand at point guard of Marcelo Huertas, and the explosive scoring of Leandro Barbosa.

That’s right, Barbosa.

He may have made himself unavailable for the FIBA Americas Championship last summer but Barbosa is such an explosive scorer as he’s been showing with Toronto of late that it seems unimaginable coach Ruben Magnano will not select him.

The biggest cause for hope, though, both literally and figuratively, is Tiago Splitter, a player growing into a solid, top-flight NBA center.

After being used sparingly as a rookie with San Antonio, Splitter has returned to the league following the NBA Lockout and given the Spurs a solid back-up to veteran Tim Duncan.

Sunday's effort against Phoenix was the latest evidence that Splitter, who turned 27 on January 1, has a solid future in the NBA.

He came off the bench and had nine points and five rebounds.

“Well, Splitter has played good for them in the past," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said.

"I have watched four or five of their games and actually what has happened is that when the second unit is in, the offense really goes through him.

"He’s played pro basketball half his life so it’s not anything unusual as he did a good job of creating post space and post moves with a couple of big plays."

Splitter spent his usual summer with Brazil and while the team didn’t win gold as they did at the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship, by reaching the Final in the same competition Mar del Plata this year, the national team was able to celebrate even more.

The Brazilians assured themselves of a spot in the Olympics.

They will end a 16-year drought at the opening tip of their first game in London.

In an Olympic year, it was crucial for Splitter to have a good club season so he faced a real dilemma when the lockout was still in place.

Should he try to wait it out and hope for a resolution like many of the players, or return to Europe and play games to not only have match fitness once the NBA season did get underway, but to continue his improvement.

He chose the latter, moving to Valencia Basket to compete in the Liga Endesa and the Eurocup.

Splitter immediately became La Taronja’s most important player, averaging 15.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in the Liga Endesa while in three Eurocup games, he averaged 14 points and 7.7 boards.

When he returned to San Antonio, Splitter was fit, and confident.

“He’s got some time under his belt now, so we’re expecting him to step up,” Duncan said.

“Now that you’ve seen him play a little bit, you understand what he can do.

“I’m excited to see him out on the floor helping us.”

Duncan was a player that Splitter looked up to when the Brazilian was just breaking into the professional game in Spain.

While Ricky Rubio has hit the ground running as a 21-year-old rookie with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, many first-year players aren’t that lucky.

Splitter needed a year to become acclimatized to NBA life, and the game, while also dealing with some injuries.

He looks as happy as he’s ever been on the basketball court.

“I feel like at home here,” Splitter said.

“It’s different when you’re the new guy, and you have to learn everything. Now, you know almost everything.”

And while the NBA game does have some differences to what one finds in Spain and Europe, Splitter doesn't believe he needs to make that many adjustments.

“I think I can help the team in a lot of ways — passing from the post, playing in the post, drawing fouls,” he said.

“That’s what my game was in Europe.

“I think I can do the same here.”

And that, rest assured, is what he will also do at the Olympics.

FIBA