Manu Ginobili-Tiago Splitter: Spanish Steve Nash-Amare Stoudamire?

The only two San Antonio Spurs who speak fluent Spanish, Emanuel David Ginobili and Tiago Splitter Beims share a connection that will help the rookie adjust to the NBA.

While their chemistry may transfer off the court, on the court they could possibly be compared to the Steve Nash-Amare Stoudamire combination that once was.

Not to compare Splitter to Pau Gasol, or Ginobili to Kobe Bryant, but the two Los Angeles Lakers international superstars communicate in Spanish on the court.

To dash, to pass, and to be a three-point pistol, that is what Ginobili’s game is about. 

Splitter has Stoudamire’s size, but he is not in the class with the proven NBA superstar.

Tiago is a native of Brazil where the women are known for their Sasha Fierce comparable dangerous curves.  He is in for a learning curve, but he could be a dangerous threat to the opposition in the paint by season’s end.

Picassos of incompatible play, except for a few mammoth talents such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James, most rookies have a rough ride in the NBA.

Yet like Ginobili, Splitter was an accomplished professional player abroad before stepping onto a shiny US professional hardwood floor.

It is ironic that Ginobili’s older brother is named Leandro.

A certain speedster who goes by that name was a combo guard for the Phoenix Suns and also hails from Brazil.

LeAndro Barbosa who has battled injuries like Ginobili is that speedster.  

Brazil’s native language is Portuguese, but Splitter also holds Spanish citizenship.

Going further with the connections, competing in England’s top football league is another Spurs team: Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Could Barbosa or his compatriot Nene be in the Spurs future plans?  Both men played English football as youths in their football fantastic native country.

Both Nene and Barbosa would do well to learn a little Spanish.