Splitter became the transitional coach of the Trail Blazers. He was James best background man before Iguodala.

After head coach Billups was arrested by the FBI on suspicion of participating in illegal gambling, the Blazers officially responded quickly and confirmed the transitional coach.

According to NBA "revealer" Shams Charania, interior coach Thiago Splitter will replace Billups, who was ordered to leave the team, and serve as the Trail Blazers' interim transition coach during this period.

The 40-year-old Split is a Brazilian. He was an assistant coach of the Brooklyn Nets from the 19-23 season. He assisted Udoka on the Rockets coaching staff from the 23-24 season. Last season, he went to the French League Paris Club as the head coach. This offseason, he was invited by the Trail Blazers to join the team's coaching staff as a full-time inside coach.

Before today, he had been responsible for the special training tasks of Yang Hansen and Klingen.

However, what is most remembered for the Brazilian coach is his identity as a player.

He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 28th overall pick in the first round in 2007, but did not join the team until the 2010-11 season.

After two years of integration, he became the team's starting center. Partnering with Duncan at the end of his career, he helped the Spurs reach the finals for two consecutive years and win their last championship so far (13-14 season).

Split has played in the NBA for seven years, averaging 7.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in his career. He has good high-post support and finishing ability at the basket. After leaving the Spurs, he briefly played for the Hawks and 76ers. In 2017, at the age of 32, he faded out of the NBA.

But what is most memorable about him is his performance on behalf of the Spurs in the two games against the Heat in the Finals.

He is the "James background man" who has traveled abroad the most before Iguodala. Before James sent that century block in the 2016 Finals, the most classic block was taking off in place to block Split in the Finals.

He should thank Iguodala for allowing himself to be quickly replaced in the later period and avoiding becoming the most classic background man in James' career.