HoopsHype.com Rumors

San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter and Barcelona Regal point guard Marcelo Huertas will be the leaders of a star-less Brazil as their three top players were unavailable for coach Magnano. Nene Hilario, a 28-year old free agent, who averaged 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game during the last NBA season playing for Denver Nuggets, was the first one to withdraw from the team as he decided to prioritize his professional career. FIBA.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, FIBA 

SB – With lockout installed, still no one is quite sure what will happen.There is the possibility of athletes returning to work in teams of Europe, or resume play in their countries or on other teams? The players know about this subject? Tiago Splitter: we really do not know on what date the NBA and players association will enter into an agreement, it does not exist. Actually there is tremendous uncertainty around it and everything is very loose. Of course, the possibility exists that you go play in Europe, or you come to play in Brazil, China or wherever. But my mindset at the moment is to continue at the San Antonio Spurs. I think they waited enough for me after the Draft and I respect that, I want to go there. I’ll work after the selection, until the individual returns to be ready and be in good condition for next season. Air Alamo

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Lockout 

SB – How to work with Popovich? What is the relationship with him in and out of court? Tiago Splitter: He, on the court, is a very demanding guy, asks a lot of basketball things. I think this is normal and necessary, within the group have a leader like him in the Spurs. Off the court, exceptional. Everyone treated me well, not only him, but I was treated well from day one and I feel really well in San Antonio, as if I were at home. I hope to be there many years. Air Alamo

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Coaching, Gregg Popovich 

The Brazilian Basketball Confederation will pay the insurance for San Antonio Spurs' Tiago Splitter for the upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament in Argentina reports globoesporte.com. With the NBA lockout in full swing, insurance issues have come up for foreign NBA players hoping to play for their home countries over the summer. Case in point, Spurs' Tony Parker who recently said he will not play for France should he not get insured. However, it would appear Splitter is in the clear and will be taking part in three friendly exhibition games for Brazil when they face Mexico twice, and Team USA made up of college players leading up to the tournament in Argentina. ProjectSpurs.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Tiago Splitter, France, Brazil 

Brazil national team coach Ruben Magnano named a roster of 20 players who will play at two tournaments for the Brazil selection committee before the roster is trimmed down to 12 players for the pre-Olympic tournament in Argentina. Magnano, who was formerly the coach of the Argentina National Team, named several NBA players to his roster, including San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter. Splitter will join Toronto's Leandro Barbosa, Cleveland's Anderson Varejao and Denver's Nene. Several longtime Brazil team members, Marcelinho Huertas, former Spurs guard Alex Garcia and Marcelino Machado will also be competing for the final 12 spots. ProjectSpurs.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Tiago Splitter, Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Brazil 

Even among all of the sweltering attendees at the Texas Folklife Festival, one Spurs stood above them all. Popular rookie forward Tiago Splitter was among the thousands who attended activities over the weekend at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Splitter was among those who appeared at NBA Nation Sunday afternoon during the 40th annual event. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter 

Were a lockout to threaten the bulk of the 2011-12 season, Splitter knows there is a ticket back to the Europe he likely can book. “I think everybody is thinking about playing (in Europe),” he said. “For me, it’s a little bit easier, because I played over there and I have my passport. Still, it’s going to be tough and right now I’m trying to not think about it. Right now, I’m thinking we will end the season and have no problems. “Of course, if they are still having the same problems and nothing is happening, who knows? I’ll play three, four months over there.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Lockout, Europe 

Splitter understands the path back to Europe during a lockout won’t be without complication. An end to the lockout would demand immediate return to NBA teams if a season were pending. European teams, he said, won’t be eager to sign players who may not be with them for long. “Nobody is going to sign you on one of the big teams knowing you can leave tomorrow,” he said. For now, Splitter’s summer itinerary includes a mid-July return to Brazil to join the national team in training for the FIBA Americas tournament. Even that plan must await the results of CBA talks. “This is one of the crazy summers I’m going to have,” said Splitter, the 26-year-old whose rookie season was a series of injury-plagued stops and starts. “We don’t know what it’s going to be. It is hard to plan something because it all depends on what is going to happen with the lockout. You can be on vacation until December or January. Nobody knows.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Lockout, Europe 

Though he has committed to play for Brazil, Splitter won’t play unless his contract with the Spurs can be insured. “I told (Brazilian team officials) that of course there is a problem,” Splitter said. “Most important is the insurance. If the NBA is in lockout, I don’t have insurance to play with them. They have to figure out how to deal (with) that. If not, I’m not playing.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Brazil 

Under the current CBA, teams can’t prohibit players from competing in FIBA events. However, NBA teams must be indemnified against injury incurred in international competition. The cost of insuring contracts worth millions is significant. “We start in July, our camp with national team,” Splitter said. “I will be (in Brazil), waiting (for) what they can find. There are a lot of international players with the same issue. I don’t know who is going to take care of (insurance): FIBA or companies or even the federation. So everybody is waiting. “It is going to be expensive, and it is going to cost more for guys with big contracts, so it is really going to cost a lot for Tony (Parker) and Manu (Ginobili) because they must insure the whole contract.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Brazil 

Nene might listen to the Spurs for a couple of reasons. His talents would fit exactly what the Spurs need after their 61-win season. He also would be coming to perhaps the NBA’s most welcoming team to international players. Nene potentially would be reuniting with his old friend, rookie Brazilian power forward Tiago Splitter. It’s unsure if it would make him come to San Antonio for less money. He probably wouldn’t. San Antonio Express-News

Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Tiago Splitter, Nene 

In two games as a de facto starter, Splitter has also displayed impressive IQ and footwork on defense. “As I said a million times, he’s a good player,” Ginobili said. “He’s just got to be out there and feel confident and know the team trusts him. That’s what happened to me, what happens to everyone who comes here for the first time.” Splitter’s value, teammates say, is that he knows who he is. Just as importantly, he knows who he is not. “I’m not Tim Duncan,” Splitter said. “I’m just the new guy here who wants to help the team.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Tim Duncan 

The San Antonio Spurs will be taking on Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets tonight without two of their rookies. Tiago Splitter, who is out with a strained left hamstring, and Gary Neal, who has mild concussive symptoms will not play tonight. ProjectSpurs.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries, Gary Neal 

Lately, life on the court in the NBA has begun to feel a little more foreign for Spurs rookie center Tiago Splitter. This is a good thing. “I’m feeling more like I used to be in Europe, more comfortable on the court,” said Splitter, the Spanish League’s 2010 Most Valuable Player. “I’m not so anxious as I was before.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter 

Do you feel the Spurs have confidence in you? Tiago Splitter: Yes, yes, yes. They have a project with me. They know maybe this is not the year where I will play a lot. But they count on me in the future. And I'm very happy in San Antonio. ACB.com

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter 

Of all the adjustments the 6-foot-11 Splitter has had to make in relocating from Europe, learning to be a spectator has been the most difficult. He would have liked to have been a more meaningful participant in the Spurs’ 17-3 start. “I’m trying to fit in a team that is already made,” Splitter said. “Sometimes it’s tough for me. I just have to be patient.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter 

Fabricio Oberto, the center from Argentina who announced his retirement this week, showed up in San Antonio on Friday to visit with his good friends Manu Ginobili, of the Spurs, and Luis Scola, whose Houston Rockets arrived in town for tonight’s game against the Spurs at AT&T Center. Naturally, the three members of Argentina’s 2004 Olympic gold medal winning team went out to dinner, and this time they invited a Brazilian to join them. Spurs rookie Tiago Splitter had gotten to know Oberto well when the two played in Spain. “We broke our rule and added a Brazilian guy to our table,” Scola said. San Antonio Express-News

Tiago Splitter, Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Fabricio Oberto 

Tiago Splitter: A great player retires! Good luck Fabri. Twitter

Tiago Splitter, Fabricio Oberto 

By most any measure, Tiago Splitter’s long-awaited NBA debut this week was a success. In two games on the Spurs’ just-completed road trip against the L.A. Clippers and Phoenix, the rookie center logged 25 minutes, scored nine points on 4-of-8 shooting and grabbed five rebounds. Just wait until he’s actually in shape and knows what he’s doing. “I think day by day I’ll improve and get in shape,” said Splitter, who missed the preseason with a strained muscle in his right calf. “It was two months without playing a game. I’m trying to catch my teammates. They’re already in shape and playing very good.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter 

Jeff McDonald: Breaking news: Tiago Splitter will make NBA debut tonight, Pop says. Limited minutes, though. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries