Tiago Splitter wants to become head coach: 'It's more fun' / News - Basketnews.com

Splitter feels like the job of a head coach is more interesting and more fun than being an assistant. He says Dusko Ivanovic's mantra of fatigue not existing is more a mental part than physical, but admits not having used hard practices yet.

Credit: Wojciech Figurski via Getty Images Credit Wojciech Figurski via Getty Images

After ending his professional career, Tiago Splitter became an assistant coach. He wants to become the head coach as well.

3-pointers this season

37%10,9Points made:10,9Accuracy:37,1%Place in standings:2Record max:17Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Markus HowardTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Splitter's Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz jersey will be retired on Sunday during the Spanish Liga Endesa game against Girona Basquet. Splitter spent ten seasons in the Baskonia system from the age of 15.

Now at the Houston Rockets, Splitter would like to be a head coach.

"I'm in Houston after spending five years in Brooklyn. And I also coached the Brazilian under-23 team. Man, I like being a coach better," Splitter said in an interview with Jon Aroca from El Correo. "It's more fun, more pressure... everything. But hey, it's part of the evolution process. We'll see how the future goes. But I am very happy about my role in Houston."

Splitter will also work as an assistant coach for the Brazilian national team this upcoming summer, helping head coach Aleksandar Petrovic in the Olympic Qualifiers. On Sunday, he will meet Dusko Ivanovic, a specialist who coached him throughout the majority of his years with Baskonia.

Ivanovic is known for his grueling practices and a 'tiredness doesn't exist' mentality, which he has even transformed into a brand.

"I believe tiredness does exist, but it's beyond what one believes. You can always give a little more, that's for sure," Splitter said about Ivanovic's philosophy. "But the generations and the players are not the same. You have to talk to them and treat them in a different way. Especially being an assistant. It's a much closer relationship, especially in the NBA. There you have to have a special affection for them because the season is very long, where you practice little and talk more. It's a little different."

"With the U23s, I wasn't someone who pushed the players and spent all day practicing. In that case, because it was a short period, I only had a week to train before important games. You have to work with the physios and do things in a different way," Splitter said. "Dusko's thing is a question of mentality. When you have a season ahead of you, you want to instill a mentality into a team, practice hard, and know your limits. It is completely different from the experience I've had as a coach."

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