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Blazers rumors: ESPN gives details on cheap Tiago Splitter head coaching offer
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- Blazers rumors: ESPN gives details on cheap Tiago Splitter head coaching offer
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Tiago Splitter was suddenly thrown into the fire on the Portland Trail Blazers when Chauncey Billups was placed on indefinite leave following his alleged involvement in illegal gambling.
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In a snap, Splitter was the coach, tasked with steering a young core. Well, he has lived up to it and more, ending the Trail Blazers' four-year drought in the playoffs .
On Tuesday, they tied their first-round series with the San Antonio Spurs , Splitter's former team, after winning in Game 2, 106-103, at Frost Bank Center. Portland rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, punctuated by an 11-2 run to upset San Antonio .
Amid the Trail Blazers' inspired run, a report from ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne claimed that the team tried to low-ball Splitter regarding his salary, although the exact amount was not disclosed.
"Sources close to the situation told ESPN that Splitter was given a raise from his assistant coaching salary and discussed a longer-term contract during the season," wrote Shelbourne.
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"The salary presented to him to continue on as head coach was far below a standard NBA head coaching salary, and further discussion was tabled until after the season, sources said."
The 41-year-old Splitter, who won a title with the Spurs in 2014, has imbibed a different culture in Portland , with Deni Avdija , Jrue Holiday , Donovan Clingan , Jerami Grant , and Shaedon Sharpe fully buying into it, resulting to their surprise turnaround.
Splitter is the latest fruit from the legendary tree of Gregg Popovich, who now serves as the president of the Spurs, and it is no coincidence that the Trail Blazers are doing well under his tutelage.
It will be interesting to see what Portland will do when Billups gets cleared to return.
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Related: Tiago Splitter reacts to ownership distractions and changes during playoffs
