By Eurohoops team / [email protected]
Τiago Splitter, Paris Basketball coach and former NBA champion as player, joins the EurohooPOD with Antonis Stroggylakis.
Splitter takes us deep into the Cinderella season of Paris in the EuroLeague in his debut run as head coach and the NBA style of the team that stunned the competition: Building confidence, managing expectations, keeping the players collected and focused, shutting outside noise, and his personal influences he brought from the NBA to the style of the team.
He explains what he thinks shouldn’t be allowed in the EuroLeague, touches on “unprofessional” reports, Nadir Hifi’s craziness, and selling the “toughness” of European basketball to the world, while looking back at his favorite Gregg Popovich experienc and how hard was it being an NBA rookie after an All-EuroLeague career.
1:08 Was the EuroLeague season of Paris a miracle?
2:45 Why Splitter didn’t make heavy roster changes when he took over Paris
4:47 Goals when the season began
6:56 Paris players buying into his ideas quickly
7:59 When Splitter realized that Paris could take it to the next level
8:43 What Splitter brought from the NBA to Paris
11:48 Paris is faster than many NBA teams
12:24 Managing the first slump of the season
14:12 Nadir Hifi’s “crazy” shot selection
16:21 Keeping players focused while midseason reports send them to other teams
18:45 Thoughts on Jantunen to Fenerbahce report days before the playoffs
19:54 Thoughts on EuroLeague Coach of the Year voting and finishing tied for third
21:04 Sarunas Jasikevicius praising Paris and Splitter
22:42 Is the EuroLeague still a “Coaches’ League”?
23:43 Importance of having good characters on a team
24:26 Keeping himself collected amid raving comments
25:31 “This is Tuomas Iisalo’s team” social media noise
27:53 Did TJ Shorts deserve MVP?
28:48 Can Paris keep their stars next season?
30:1 Paris’ future plans and budget
30:51 What makes Splitter most proud of his team?
32:08 Talent isn’t everything?
36:03 Unique preparation for the most important game of the season vs. Real Madrid
38:31 Former EuroLeague players now facing each other as coaches
39:35 Physicality in the NBA is a joke compared to the EuroLeague
41:31 Favorite Gregg Popovich moment
45:21 Tough rookie NBA season after being an All-EuroLeague player
47:08 Splitter predicts the EuroLeague champion
47:51 How has Tiago Splitter changed through his debut head coach season
Photo: Getty Images