RIGA (Latvia) - There's not much a center can ask other than having a good point guard who excels with him on the pick-and-roll.
Tiago Splitter couldn't ever complain, since the guy handing him the ball with the perfect timing was Marcelinho Huertas.
Despite being two years younger than the world-class La Laguna Tenerife playmaker, the former San Antonio Spurs member is still watching him play from the sideline.
Entering the coaching universe by getting his first experiences as a member of the staff with the Brooklyn Nets and the Houston Rockets, Tiago Splitter was appointed in the assistant coaching position for Aleksandar Petrovic's Brazilian national team.
With the 41-year-old point guard and his big man partner's connection fading away at least on the court, they are handing responsibilities over to another brotherhood duo.
The future is theirs
"Both of the duos have great chemistry, and great friendship on and off the court. This plays a big role in everything," explained Huertas about the newest partnership embodied by Yago Santos and Bruno Caboclo.
"Each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses. It's very interesting to see how duos from different generations can be so dominant and have great combinations, getting along well on and off the court, and getting results for the team.
"It's so nice to see after so many years playing with Tiago now seeing Yago playing with Bruno. They have this great chemistry on and off the court, they understand each other well on the court as well. Hopefully, it can be a good duo for the next decade," the 41-year-old veteran added.
While sharing the national team's adventures, Huertas and Splitter also found themselves together in Baskonia during the 2009-10 season, winning the ACB.
Santos and Caboclo followed in the veterans' steps, unlocking an even tougher challenge. In their inaugural campaign within the same team, they gave Ulm an unbelievable first German championship in 2023.
That opened the doors to climb up the European basketball ladder. From brothers to rivals in a short span of time, representing the opposing red-and-white and black-and-white sides of Belgrade.
For the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, however, they're moving in the same direction.
"I think we are both very different, the way I played and the way Yago plays is very different," mused Huertas.
"The way Tiago used to play, so smart and dominant on the post, being able to read situations; Bruno is much more athletic, and versatile. He's a very active player."
Splitter agreed and weighed in with: "Yago is a little different than Marce. He’s more explosive, long-shots, long-threes. And of course, Bruno is different than me. I was more of a presence in the paint, maybe strength. Bruno can pick-and-pop, he can shoot from outside, and he can run the court better."
In a Brazilian 12-man roster characterized by my multi-generational elements, it looks like they will embrace the sparking role, giving the South American side what's needed.
The guy "you want to have on your team"
Most importantly, Santos has the right mindset to be successful.
"His attitude is the best. It's hard to keep proving people wrong, especially when they have their mindset so close about everything, regarding his size," Huertas said about the 25-year-old guard.
"He looks up to [Facundo] Campazzo, from the way he played, and how he was able to reach the level he has reached. Now he's trying to follow his steps.
Recognition is two-way between them. "Yago is fearless, a true competitor. Regardless of the outcome, he's always gonna look straight ahead and do it all over again if he needs to. That's what brought him here, and he's showing this year after year. He's gonna keep on doing this, hopefully for a long time for Brazil", he said.
Meanwhile Splitter, who coached him in the U23 Brazilian national team, could barely be any prouder.
He enthused: "This kid has been proving everybody wrong since he was 12 years old. In Brazil, in the national team, in Europe... Everywhere. This guy is amazing, I love this kid, his game, and his passion. He’s a guy you want to have on your team. He’s just excelling right now."
While he didn't leave the biggest of marks in the competition's opener against Montenegro, struggling to adjust and ending with 4 points and 5 rebounds, with Raul Neto ruled out for the rest of the tournament, he will gain more and more playing time.
Caboclo's recognition
The 28-year-old center is coming a long way. Drafted with the 20th overall pick by Toronto in 2014, he was conditioned by judgments regarding his position and actual impact in the NBA.
Since coming overseas, he has finally found space to breathe and emerge. "He’s very versatile, and he found his niche in Europe playing as a very dangerous stretch five," Splitter commented about his successor.
"He’s a very unique player", he continued.
"Playing great with Yago in Germany was the key. Yago knows him, and he understands Bruno.
"[Zeljko[ Obradovic is one of the best coaches ever: he knows how to make him effective," he added about the Serbian mastermind.
"He was protecting the paint, picking and popping, rolling when he needed to roll, attacking the rim, and going for the offensive rebounds. Which it’s something he needs to be great at. If he does that, there’s no ceiling", he continued praising his 2023-24 season's performance.
An efficient playmaker knows when to recognize a skilled big man. Huertas praised Brazil's number 51's decision to finally embrace the overseas journey.
He stated: "Learning different concepts on how the International game works differently than in Brazil and also in the NBA, competing every night and getting to see different basketball, has played a big role and impact on his game in these last few years."
Blast from the past
While Santos and Caboclo represent the present and the near future of the Seleção, the Splitter-Huertas duo has been displaying action for almost a decade, from the 2005 FIBA Americas Championship for Men to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
"Like everything, it takes time," said Brazil's assistant coach as he recalled the development of their relationship.
"Of course, being on the national team, when you spend a month with somebody and you’re sharing a room with somebody, you’re not just linking on the basketball court but also outside of the court.
"We have a great relationship and we’ve always had one. Slowly you start to talk about stuff in and outside of the court, how to play the pick-and-roll, the angle, the timing, where are the shooters if the defense collapses. Slowly, you develop a relationship that it’s way deeper than just “Hey, let’s play together”. You know each other’s families. It’s very deep. We’re good friends too today. He’s my brother!"
Marcelinho's tour with Brazil started by looking up to the icons.
"Even though I'm older than Tiago, when I started playing basketball he was already one of the biggest prospects in Brazil. I always looked up to him, to Anderson, Leandrinho, and Nene. All the guys who were in the national team already at such a young age," he explained.
Splitter knows Huertas pretty well, doesn't he?
When asked about the perfect vocabulary to describe one of his dearest friends, words come out by themselves. "Discipline, health, brain, competitiveness, friendship, and loyalty. Unbelievable," he declared.
One last ride
Ending the 2023-24 Basketball Champions League in second position wasn't enough for him. It doesn't matter if he was named MVP after overcoming the 40-year gap with absolutely astonishing numbers: 16.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game.
After Bejing 2008, London 2012, and Rio de Janeiro 2016 he wants to listen to the Hino Nacional Brasileiro once again on the Olympic stage. "The same as the first time", he answered when asked about the feeling of wearing this jersey 20 years in the making.
"When you put on this uniform to represent your country... For me, it was always priority number one. Being here for one last time with the national team, and having a chance to play in the Olympics again, just gives me goosebumps."
Losing by 20 points in last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup to Latvia, being deprived of a ticket to the Top-8, Brazil are seeking revenge against the home side in Arena Riga.
The way he started the tournament seems nothing but a statement. 17 points and 6 rebounds over 8 of 15 from the field, after approaching the game slowly.
"We're gonna have to probably beat Latvia at some point in their own arena in front of their home crowd. It's gonna be very very difficult. But we're looking forward to that. It's a great opportunity, we have a great squad," said the playmaker.
"Being in the Olympics once again for me and for all these guys, most of them for the first time, I think it's something we would deserve after last year in the World Cup. Hopefully, we will be there and enjoy one last ride."
Being here for one last time with the national team, having a chance to play in the Olympics again, just gives me goosebumps - Marcelinho Huertas
Splitter is also believing in Brazilian chances. "It’s a short tournament, every game is a Final. Everything could happen. Maybe on paper, we’re not the favorites to qualify but we’re gonna do everything we have in our hands. I hope we can surprise people!"
Backcourt veterans like Huertas and Vitor Benite are surrounded by other exciting forwards like Gui Santos, Leo Meindil, and Georginho De Paula.
Taking over when it will matter the most, Santos and Caboclo are ready to deliver. To finally taste what playing in the Olympic Games really means.
FIBA