NBA Power Rankings: All 30 Starting Centers
By Shane Young
25. Tiago Splitter — San Antonio Spurs
Yep, I’m finally convinced. Along with the Larry O’Brien trophy, San Antonio always takes the award for having the most respectful, humble starting lineup in the sport.
Splitter is distinctly the Spurs’ weakest link in their starting five, but combined with the other four they put on the floor, it doesn’t matter how individually inept he can be. He gels too well with the veterans and future of the south, Kawhi Leonard.
Any international big man must have a special training session they take before coming to the Americas. It’s probably titled “How to pass more effectively than most NBA guards.” Seriously, whether it’s from Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, or anywhere across the border, these guys are putting on passing clinics greater than most American frontcourt players in the league. Splitter added to the mix during the 2014 Finals, and playoffs in general.
Splitter was drafted in 2007 by San Antonio and used as a developmental asset for a short number of years before getting his big break in joining the team. If the Spurs had that pick back, there would be no doubt Marc Gasol (who went 20 spots lower than Splitter) would be the glaring favorite for their system on offense and defense. But, there are no regrets in picking up the talented, dutiful Brazilian in the first round.
Splitter faced injuries last season, much like multiple Spurs, and even became victim to Popovich’s minute limitations, oddly enough. Free throw efficiency has been inconsistent for him through four years, but San Antonio is perfectly content with their center being roughly a 70 percent shooter from the line.
The only step for Splitter to take in the next two to three seasons is making the leap into a commanding post scorer.
On San Antonio during 2013-14, he was 58 percent effective on his field goals from less than five feet inside (257 attempts). For reference, Boris Diaw attempted 10 less shots from the same area (247) and shot 66 percent, nearly 10 percent greater. Tim Duncan attempted far more looks inside the restricted area (360) and was 64.2 percent efficient.
Splitter was also third-worst on the Spurs in terms of efficiency from 5-9 feet away from the rim, scoring just 37 percent of the time.