AN MVP PUTS "TEAM" BEFORE SELF

When Tiago Splitter joined the Spurs this Summer, many felt that he would be the “Big” that the Spurs had been desperately lacking. Yet Splitter’s lack of playing time (only 11 mins/game) this season begs the question… “Why isn’t he playing more?”

In Spain, Splitter was The Man. Everything ran through him. He was the Spanish league regular season and finals MVP. But that’s obviously not the case in San Antonio. He’s pretty far down the totem pole with the Spurs. Luckily, his skills translate to becoming a solid role player (defense, setting picks, etc.).

Splitter on his transition to the NBA: “At Baskonia, all the plays went through me, and on the majority of those the decision-making was mine. Here, I’m a supporting player, the roles changed, everything changed. The transition has been very complicated, but I know that in two to three years I’ll be able to have a starring role on the team, with plays designed for me. At this moment, while the team is winning, I only think about coming in and maintaining the good state [chemistry] of the team.”

He readily admits the NBA game is different and more difficult than the Euro game and that he is still learning.  When others would be complaining about playing time, his handling of the difficult transition from Euro-MVP to NBA role player shows his maturity and focus on “team” over self.

(Thanks 48 Minutes of Hell)