Splitter intent on making the most of his time with 76ers
PHILADELPHIA >> Exactly one year ago Saturday, Tiago Splitter had surgery on his right hip and was told he would resume playing basketball sometime within eight to 12 months. Time’s up. “Now, it’s just some muscle imbalance, the calves and things like that that bother me a little bit,” the newest 76ers’ center said Friday at the Wells Fargo Center. “But I saw the trainers today and they were happy with what they saw. And I am very excited to work every day. I know they did a tremendous job with young guys here who got injured. So I hope to have the same result.”
Splitter was acquired in the deal earlier this week that sent Ersan Ilyasova to Atlanta. A 6-11, 245-pound, seventh-year center from Brazil, Splitter had been inactive all season. He is on an expiring contact and will spend the end of this Sixers season in a search for a winwin situation.
Earlier Friday, president Bryan Colangelo indicated that the Sixers’ plan is to allow the veteran Splitter to work with their young nucleus for the remainder of the season, effectively become reconditioned, then cash in through free agency.
“I know what a team needs to be of championship caliber,” said Splitter, a member of the 2014 champion Spurs. “I am not saying that I am going to come here and change anything. But I am going to see what I see and talk to the young guys and help them develop to become great players.
“There are a lot of great players here already. You guys see how they play here some nights. It’s unbelievable how they play. Now, they just have to do that on a consistent basis. So I hope I can help them and they can help me also, and that it will be great for everyone.”
Brett Brown was an assistant coach when Splitter was with the Spurs. His center rotation shaved with the trade of Nerlens Noel to Dallas, and with Joel Embiid’s availability ever in doubt, the Sixers coach would be willing to work Splitter into the mix.
“He’s just a blue-collar workhorse who is just an elite screener, an elite roller,” Brown said. “I know in my Spurs days with him, he was as good as any we had coached on the assist from the roll. He would screen, he would roll and we’d hit him on the roll and then he would quarterback the gym from that half-roll foul-line area. I think that those types of things come to my mind when you talk about his effectiveness and character and toughness and skill package.”
Splitter was not available to play Friday.
*** Among Brown’s greatest professional joys is interviewing potential draft choices at the offseason combines.
That’s where he first became impressed by Justin Anderson.
“After about 20 minutes, you say, ‘I could coach this guy,’” Brown said. “I feel like I have been more right than wrong on character and humility and selfawareness. When I interviewed him a few years ago, he was articulate, he was polished, he was Virginia, he was tough. He is good on pace, space and defense, and that’s how we can play. I think he can run. We need to grow his shot. But I look at him as somebody who is developable.” Anderson, a secondyear pro, arrived in Thursday’s deal with Dallas. He is listed as 6-6, and that’s generous. But he plays big enough to be of value at the two, three or four spots, Brown said. Anderson said he also has played the point.
“Just tough, hard play,” said Anderson, of his style. “Offensively, I want to be able to shoot the ball and space the floor and use my athleticism, get to the rim, get fouled. Defensively, I just want to rotate, block shots and guard the best player. I want to take on challenges and do whatever I can.” Anderson was averaging 3.5 points for the Hawks. He wore No. 23 Friday for the Sixers.
“Justin Anderson is a talented, strong, defensive-minded wing,” Colangelo said. “He will fit nicely into our system. I am certain that his toughness and edge will add to our team.”
*** Colangelo acknowledged that the Sixers offered Ilyasova a pay increase and an extended contract before the trade.
“There was some conversation about a potential long-term commitment that he was looking for,” Colangelo said. “That didn’t necessarily align with our long-term objectives.”
*** The biggest surprise at the trade deadline was that it didn’t involve Jahlil Okafor.
So certain were the Sixers that Okafor might go that they benched him for two games, Brown citing “trade rumors.”
But there the secondyear center was Friday, starting, playing 21 minutes, 31 seconds and scoring 11 points in a 120-112 victory over the Washington Wizards.
“I was happy that the trade deadline was over with and that I knew where I would spend the rest of the season,” Okafor said. “It was just a relief that it was over with, and I am still a Sixer.
“I never looked at me being shopped as a negative thing,” he added. “It’s part of the business. There’s no hard feelings or anything like that. None at all.”
Though it is no longer regularly announced, Brown confirmed Friday that Okafor, whose last season ended early due to a knee injury, remains on restriction of 20 to 24 minutes per game.
*** NOTES >> Richaun Holmes will benefit from the trade of Noel and the absence of Embiid. He played 26 minutes Friday, collecting 12 points and 10 rebounds as a backup center. “It’s an opportunity,” he said. “My team is going to need me. I have been working hard and I will try to be ready.” … The Sixers will visit the New York Knicks Saturday at 7:30. The Golden State Warriors will visit Monday at 7 … Colangelo insisted Friday that Embiid will not require any procedure to repair the slightly torn meniscus in his left knee ... Andrew Bogut, acquired in the Noel trade, has a locker in the clubhouse but is on an approved personal leave. The Sixers are expected to buy out his contract, allowing him to sign with a contender.