Could we see Tiago Splitter tonight? “There’s a chance.”

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Fingers crossed. Everyone rub your lucky rabbit’s feet. Don’t step on the cracks on the sidewalk. Whatever you do for good luck, do it.

We mentioned it last week, and it’s still in the cards. According to the Express-News, Tiago Splitter traveled with the team to Los Angeles — well, he would’ve done that anyway — and could play tonight against the Clippers.

[Update: Jeff McDonald tweeted it just a few minutes ago, Tiago will play: “Tiago Splitter will make NBA debut tonight, Pop says. Limited minutes, though.”

But he has been working diligently and appears nearing form where he could help  a team needing inside depth after losing Matt Bonner for the next several games with a sprained ankle.

“He’ll make the trip and there’s a chance,” Popovich said about the possibility of Splitter playing Monday night.

It was painfully obvious how much the Spurs needed Splitter during San Antonio’s 99-90 loss to the New Orleans Hornets, when NOLA got layup after layup against the silver and black.

The Spurs needed someone to step in and provide a road block for the Hornets’ guards on their way to the basket. And from everything that we’ve heard about / seen of Splitter, he’s that dude.

The Spurs are currently 16th in the NBA in defensive efficiency, with a 103.1 rating. Even worse? The Spurs are dead last in opponent’s field goal percentage, allowing the Pacers and Hornets to shoot a combined 51.6% against San Antonio in two games. The Spurs are the only team in the league allowing more than 50% shooting.

In the words of Charles Barkley, Gregg Popovich is spinning in his grave right now.

  • Jacques

    The FO should have brought up another big man when the team lost Bonner. Now we only have three healthy big men, with McDyess and Duncan only used in limited minutes and Blair sitting out when he is paired up with much taller opponents. I would have liked to a shot to Marcus Cousin, but hopefully Tiago will resolve the issue w/ defense. Go Spurs.

  • Jacob

    I still think we should trade for another big, or maybe we wait and see if one clears over a waiver wire later on in the year.

  • SAJKinBigD

    Pleaseohpleaseohplease!
    My Halloween Wish was to see Tiago play tonight!
    ;-P

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  • BlaseE

    We definitely could use him against Kaman/Griffin/Jordan tonight.

  • quincyscott

    Well, we’ve only played two games, so that’s really not a big enough sample size to make these stats meaningful. But the two stats I will be keeping my eye on as the season progresses are the defensive field goal percentage, and the scoring margin. I think these will tell us if we’re a quality team or not. A more complicated set of stats is the Hollinger rating over at ESPN, and it’s usually pretty accurate as far as predicting which teams will go far in the playoffs. But, as I said, I think it’s too early for stats to matter yet.

    I hope Splitter suits up and sees at least a few minutes tonight.

  • bduran

    I don’t care so much about defensive FG%, although being last is certainly disturbing. Obviously it’s only two games. I’ll be watching the Def Eff, since ultimately, points per possession are the key. This should be an excellent rebounding team, and you can afford to let the opponent shoot a little better if you dont’ give up second chances.

    For example, I don’t think Blair will ever be great for our defensive FG%, but he is disruptive. So I think he can be a decent defender by getting the rebounds and forcing TOs.

    Still, I’m really excited to have a guy on the team who can reduce FG% in the paint. I can’t wait to how Splitter fits in.

  • Espoon

    I hope Splitter finally plays, but what I want to see is Blair have a good game. Blair is the only one of the Spurs bigs who can run with Griffin. He is struggling shooting and isn’t rebounding like he should. The Spurs really need to start playing defense and rebounding or they won’t get off to that good start Manu talked about.

  • Bushka

    Too early to freak out. Way too early. People are still averaging 100% from the free throw line. It’s all going to work out to the mean eventually give it at least a few more weeks.

  • http://www.twitter.com/jjtyler jt in austin

    agreed with Bushka, let the numbers ride a bit, hopefully things will start looking a little bit more Spurs-like.

  • rob

    I think the limitations to minutes should directly correlate to the production he might be having.

    If it looks as though he can play effectively for 24 minutes…let him play.

    This team needs that kind of post presense if it is hoping to secure wins early in the season.

  • rob

    BlaseE

    “We definitely could use him against Kaman/Griffin/Jordan tonight.”

    Clips need some perimeter players to be better and the Spurs need another defensive big. I wouldn’t mind a deal that sent Jordan this way.

  • Hobson13

    Spurs need this game tonight. Fortunately it’s against the Clippers so that means we’ve got a 90% chance of scoring this one a win. In all seriousness, I agree with several other posters who say we are thin up front. We really need Splitter to come in and play for at least a quarter in order to spare Duncan and McDyess. Blair is going to have to step up, relax, and play well tonight. We simply didn’t get enough offensive production from our bigs against NO. I expect to see Pop give serious minutes to the young guys (Blair, Anderson, and perhaps even Neal). Perhaps the NO loss will help us in the longer run. If our young guys learned valuable lessons and our outside shooting improves, an early season loss won’t be a big deal over an 82 game schedule. Come on Spurs, let’s blow these Clipper Clowns out tonight!!

  • Jim Henderson

    Hobson13
    November 1st, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    Spurs need this game tonight. Fortunately it’s against the Clippers so that means we’ve got a 90% chance of scoring this one a win.

    Not if we don’t come more prepared and bring 48 minutes of effort. No team in the NBA is a walk-over, and we’re certainly not good enough to skate by anybody right how. The clipper have some talent. Griffin is amazing. If Davis & company come to play tonight we better be on our game. No screwing around.

    As always, the key is defense & rebounding. Our shooting will come around.

  • jhanz12

    soooo glad to see Splitter’s debut with the silver and black uniform tonight. but dont put your hopes high folks since he hasnt adjusted to the NBA way of playing the ball yet. So dont hate Tiago if he didnt make 10 pts and 10 rebounds tonight! He’ll get better day by day! GO SPURS GO!

  • Hobson13

    Jim Henderson
    November 1st, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    Jim, if we can’t beat an 0-3 Clippers team, then we’ve got more problems than I have time to write about. If a loss to the Clippers is indicative of what we can expect from this team (which I don’t think it is), we might as well close this blog down now because we won’t reach 41 wins this year.

    I agree that we must play defense for 48 minutes which we haven’t consistently done in more than a year. We must get off to a good start this season, but we can’t do that by turning in another Hornets-like effort.

  • lvmainman

    I hope Splitter can deliver. Watching Hibbert get a near career high and Okafor play as well as Duncan is disheartening. Spurs are getting annihilated by opposing big men. Even McRoberts looked like an all-star against the Spurs.

    If Kaman, a .298% shooter on the season after 3 games, shoots 50% vs the Spurs tonight will signal a long, long…. season in my opinion. Kaman, Griffin, and Jordan are a formidable front line for the Spurs. I give the Spurs a 50-50 chance tonight.

    Go Splitter Go.

    The Spurs should look to take a risk on Greg Oden if possible.

  • http://nbamatchup.com/ Chris in Phoenix

    Can anyone say Ian Mahimmi???!!!

  • Colin

    McDyess the only Spur in double digit rebounds.

  • ribanez1

    Spurs v Clippers just ended and although it is only one game and the Clippers were the opponent some positive signs were evident. Jefferson appears significantly more decisive on the offensive end and shooting much better than last year. Tiago seems to understand his role better than Mahinmi ever did although the former is nowhere nearly as athletic… Anderson can hit the three and on the bench there are some thoroughbreds that can run.. It will be fun to see how the season unfolds.

  • SPURSfaninLA

    Was at the game tonight…didn’t get to see Splitter much. Blair was ineffective, and Jefferson and Neal were lighting it up. Things are looking interesting this year!

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