Was this a steal or what? I know a lot of teams were passing up on him because they'd have to wait one year to get him, with Houston and Miami to me being the dumbest ones to pass, but the guy is talented. As soon as he hits the league he will produce, while the "younger" guys some of these teams drafted will be on their teams this year, but won't produce for them for another 2-4 years. Tiaggo isn't old either, he's 22 years old, and turning 23 at the beginning of 2008. Miami could've drafted him at their spot, not made any trade, and have a nice big man to come in next season. Instead they got a swingman when that's their least needed position with Wade and Wright. Houston, well, yea. I also don't know why New York couldn't use a guy like this, especially since they ended up taking Chandler another SF with their many many SF's lol.
Wow, what a steal. Splitter is one of those rare European prospects who actually PRODUCED in European competition and don't get drafted just because of "potential". I had the oppurtunity to watch Splitter play a couple of times this past season and he looks good. He can become a great backup for the Spurs in a few seasons, right now he'll probably stay in Europe and then play limited minutes for a season or two.
I thought this was a steal aswell. I was expecting him to go through 16-24. I didn't think he would slip that far. I think he's gonna be another great player on the Spurs "international" roster. Maybe Tim Duncan could help him also.
<div class="quote_poster">og15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Was this a steal or what? I know a lot of teams were passing up on him because they'd have to wait one year to get him, with Houston and Miami to me being the dumbest ones to pass, but the guy is talented. As soon as he hits the league he will produce, while the "younger" guys some of these teams drafted will be on their teams this year, but won't produce for them for another 2-4 years. Tiaggo isn't old either, he's 22 years old, and turning 23 at the beginning of 2008. Miami could've drafted him at their spot, not made any trade, and have a nice big man to come in next season. Instead they got a swingman when that's their least needed position with Wade and Wright. Houston, well, yea. I also don't know why New York couldn't use a guy like this, especially since they ended up taking Chandler another SF with their many many SF's lol.</div> After being "played" by other international prospects - Frederic Weis, Milos Vujanic - the Knicks have been reluctant to pursue international players. I like Splitter, but I don't see him playing many minutes alongside Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, and David Lee who are due 30-35 MPG. Isiah wanted to acquire a player with a high ceiling since this pick wouldn't log many minutes in the first few years. It also must be mentioned the Knicks SF's are versatile enough to play other positions: Jared Jeffries can play 4 positions (sometimes all 5), Q-Rich can play SG/SF. Wilson Chandler, who can also play SG, is a long-term investment and was not picked up to play immediately.
This isn't a Knicks thread, but do you guys really have a backup C though? Lee is nice, I like him a lot, but he's a PF/SF, not really a C though he can play there. Tiaggo is a guy that would play for you right away and would be a very nice backup PF/C that can defend well for you, and give you offense. I just don't care much for Jerome James and Cato, and Morris isn't going to give ayou much anytime soon. I know the Knicks had basically already decided on Chandler, but that doesn't really make it good, and your other second round pick was a SF too. Isn't Balkman already the young athletic SF guy for the future? I don't know?
Tiago is a solid pick and a steal. The Spurs GM is very smart in picking his draft choices. They don't need Tiago this coming season. They could use him next season afterwards because Elson might be leaving and Oberto. This guy is a solid player and could be a starter for the Spurs. As for the Knicks, I don't see Jared Jeffries as a Center. Lee isn't go enough to play C as well. Like og15 said, he's a PF/SF player. Cato is about as garbage as they come and Randolph Morris probably won't do much for the Knicks as well.
