By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Welcome to one of many trademark columns introduced by Eurohoops that aims to do some creative thinking but also enjoy basketball from different perspectives! In this case, matching up and NOT comparing past players and even not so past ones.
Every player has their uniqueness – just like any person – and it’s not always necessary for them to be compared, especially when we consider how basketball has changed so much, even when we’re talking about two back-to-back decades.
Here, we’ll place side-by-side players that competed in the 2000s and players that we would classify as belonging in the 2010-2020 decade! Which means players of the current era and players that are just starting out or that we will enjoy watching when they will be in their peak within the next six years!
In these match-ups we are going to be hosting super stars, stars, good players, role players and athletes of every sort. Because, the magic in looking for which player comes to mind from all those currently playing when you switch back to the 2000-2010 decade, never gets old!
Ante Tomic (1987, 2.17m, Pivot)
Part of the long-standing tradition of great centers that Croatian basketball produces. The most complete bigman in the Euroleague in the offensive department. His career stats in this competition are the following: 10.7 points with 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.5 steals. He has a 59.5% two-point field goal average and 67.2% in free throws.
This year, he got his numbers even higher. He shoots an average of 11.5 points and gets 7.2 rebounds, while he dishes out an average 2,2 assists. With 62% in two-point field goals and the also improved 74.3% in free throws. If he possessed more athletic qualities he could thrive in the NBA, but even as he is he can try and make a name for himself if he so chooses.
Like…
Tiago Splitter (1985, 2.12m, Pivot)
He is a current NBA champion. He left the Euroleague community in 2010, so this allows us to match him up with Tomic! The Brazilian center for the San Antonio Spurs shares many elements with the Croatian. An equally effective offensive game in post play, quality and long figure. He didn’t pass the ball as systematically and as successfully as Tomic – that’s before he found Gregg Popovich! – but he was a better rim protector.
Their numbers? Just like two drops of water! The Brazilian spent 7 seasons in Vitoria as a player for Laboral and his career average is: 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1 steal, 0.8 blocks, with 59.7% in two-point field goals and 58.2% in free throws! Except in free throws, these two share strikingly similar numbers!
In his best ever season Tiago Splitter (2009-10) had 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, with 54% in two-point field goals and 63.6% in free throws. The two players are not identical but they are both a point of reference when talking about the ‘5’ position as classic pivots and they can both play a whole lot of basketball.