Blazers name Tiago Splitter as interim HC, replacing Jail Bird Billups

[Mirotic12]

A lot of younger guys won’t remember, but Splitter was like a super hyped prospect in draft circles for years. I feel like I remember hearing about him as far back as like 2002 as a potential first overall pick, and it sort of became a meme about him ever actually playing. Felt like it had gone on for decades by the time he finally made his NBA debut

Another big hyped one for a long time was Luis Scola. He was pretty much JAG

Scola wasn't any good in the last half of his career. In his last 8 seasons, his last 4 in the NBA, and then the last 4 seasons he played overall in China and Europe, he wasn't a good player.

But he was a great player in the first half of his career. He just should have retired way earlier than he did

[boomershadow]

As a Pacers fan, Bjorkgren was probably right to sit this one out.

[MrGoat]

I haven't heard Tiago Splitter's name in years. I didn't even realize he was a coach. Good for him

[Johnny Bball]

As a Pacers fan, Bjorkgren was probably right to sit this one out.

Yeah, that might have been a horrific choice if Portland went that way

[cupcakesnake]

A lot of younger guys won’t remember, but Splitter was like a super hyped prospect in draft circles for years. I feel like I remember hearing about him as far back as like 2002 as a potential first overall pick, and it sort of became a meme about him ever actually playing. Felt like it had gone on for decades by the time he finally made his NBA debut

He was one of my favorite prospects. I love his defense and badly overrated his offense. By the time he was actually ready to be drafted, his reputation had cooled a bit. Checking my notes, I had him 13th on my big board in 2007.

He wasn't super long and couldn't shoot, so his upside was pretty limited offensively. He was more productive than most people realize, due his minutes being so low on those Spurs teams that loved to limit everyone's minutes. He probably would have been a 15 and 10 guy for a lot of teams. His foot speed and anticipation on defense was very good, and he never played outside himself offensively.

The man almost dunked on Lebron in the finals, but Lebron got his hand on the ball enough to make it his highlight instead of Tiago's. I remember watching that play live and was sure I was about to witness Lebron's annihilation!

Poeltl?

Yeah, not a bad comp. Stronger and heavier (with a stronger base) than Poeltl, but a little smaller less tall/long. Poeltl is a better vertically on both ends and such a good pick & roll partner. Splitter was a great screener but not so vertical.

[shangrila]

A lot of younger guys won’t remember, but Splitter was like a super hyped prospect in draft circles for years. I feel like I remember hearing about him as far back as like 2002 as a potential first overall pick, and it sort of became a meme about him ever actually playing. Felt like it had gone on for decades by the time he finally made his NBA debut

He was the Tim Duncan successor IIRC

[sisibilio]

A lot of younger guys won’t remember, but Splitter was like a super hyped prospect in draft circles for years. I feel like I remember hearing about him as far back as like 2002 as a potential first overall pick, and it sort of became a meme about him ever actually playing. Felt like it had gone on for decades by the time he finally made his NBA debut

Another big hyped one for a long time was Luis Scola. He was pretty much JAG

Scola wasn't any good in the last half of his career. In his last 8 seasons, his last 4 in the NBA, and then the last 4 seasons he played overall in China and Europe, he wasn't a good player.

But he was a great player in the first half of his career. He just should have retired way earlier than he did

You're extremely wrong, as usual. Scola was great till the last game, his last season in Varese past 40 YO he put up 18 ppg 7 rpg on FG 48% 3P 43%

[Mirotic12]

You're extremely wrong, as usual. Scola was great till the last game, his last season in Varese past 40 YO he put up 18 ppg 7 rpg on FG 48% 3P 43%

He couldn't play defense or score around the rim or in the paint area for years

18/7 while probably giving up 25/12.

So no, he most certainly wasnit good in the last half of his career.

But he wad great in the first half.

Using Scola's last season to say he played good is nonsense. He was absolutely horrific on defense and the defensive boards by then. He was at Bargnani levels of bad in those areas, by his last several years as a player.