Facing your former team as a coach always carries a unique emotional weight, and Tiago Splitter is experiencing that firsthand. The former San Antonio Spurs champion, now an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets, recently shared his thoughts on the dynamic of competing against the organization where he spent five seasons and won an NBA title.

When asked about the sentimental aspect of coaching against the Spurs, Splitter acknowledged the feeling but kept his focus professional. "I think there is a romantic feeling about it, but that’s it," he remarked, highlighting the shift from player to strategist.

The conversation took a lighter turn when discussing where loyalties might lie with his former teammates, Manu Ginóbili and Boris Diaw. With a laugh, Splitter noted, “Manu is Spurs for sure.” As for Diaw, he proposed a diplomatic solution: “Boris we’ll see, I gotta invite him for a couple glasses of wine.”

Splitter's journey from a key defensive cog in the Spurs' 2014 championship run to a coach on the opposing bench is a testament to the evolving careers in basketball. It's a reminder that the bonds forged on the court often extend into lasting friendships and complex allegiances long after the final buzzer.