By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Tiago Splitter is the coach of the moment in Europe. The former player for the San Antonio Spurs and Baskonia, among others, has taken Paris Basketball to the top of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings, making a spectacular debut in Europe’s premier competition.
The Brazilian coach, with experience in European basketball and an iconic playing career, appeared on La Pizarra de Quintana, a show on Radio Marca, to talk about Paris’ start to the season, his coaching style, and his goals for what promises to be an exciting season.
This idyllic and unexpected situation at the start could lead to confusion in expectations or even a change in mindset, but Splitter is determined to prevent that.
“That’s a problem. It’s what I’ve been telling the boys: we need to stay grounded and keep that hunger, that desire to play, to step onto the court and beat our opponents,” Splitter said on Radio Marca.
Coaching a team like Paris, last year’s EuroCup champions and now the current leaders of the EuroLeague, is a promising start to his coaching career. He’s bringing out the best in every player and is fully integrated into the locker room. The less demanding environment, which allows room for error and finding the right dynamics, is proving to be beneficial.
“Maybe I don’t have as much pressure as Madrid or Barcelona, who are under far greater pressure to perform and win. Maybe I don’t have that. It’s also an opportunity for me to work, bring in my ideas, play the way I want, make the changes I want without facing media pressure, pressure from the club, the football team, or the fans… and that’s a bit different,” he explained.
The EuroLeague is a different challenge compared to his NBA experience. Splitter knows he can work confidently, and Paris has a strong structure to keep growing.
“Obviously, we don’t have the resources an NBA team has, but some things are different. We have a general manager, we have a president. I think they try to do the best they can within their means. Maybe they don’t get too involved in the games, which gives me the freedom to coach the team,” he elaborated, reflecting on his role in decision-making.
Before coming to France, he spent four years as part of the Brooklyn Nets coaching staff and the 2023/24 season alongside Ime Udoka on the Houston Rockets bench. However, he also absorbed knowledge as a player from some of the greatest basketball minds.
However, despite having been coached by legendary figures like Dusko Ivanovic and, above all, Gregg Popovich, Splitter is clear about forging his own identity and personal style.
“There are things, but I’m certainly not Dusko Ivanovic or Gregg Popovich. I’m Tiago. I have my own way of being, coaching, and leading games… but you do learn a lot about motivation, about how to push players. What I saw that worked and was good as a player, I’ve kept for myself, and I try to use it now,” Tiago Splitter concluded on Radio Marca.